Nov 20, 2020
Greatest Grey Cup Champion: Final - 1981 Edmonton vs. 1997 Argonauts
The Hall of Fame dominance of Warren Moon goes up against the CFL mastery of Doug Flutie as the 1981 Edmonton Football Team takes on the 1997 Toronto Argonauts in the final of The Greatest Grey Cup Champion.
1981 EDMONTON vs 1997 ARGONAUTS
The Hall of Fame dominance of Warren Moon against the CFL mastery of Doug Flutie.
WARREN MOON vs DOUG FLUTIE
THE QUARTERBACKS
On the field, Warren Moon’s ability to throw from the pocket, on the run and take off with the ball made him the complete CFL quarterback. Off the field, Moon is part of a CFL triumvirate of African-American quarterbacks, alongside Chuck Ealey and Bernie Custis, who showed the CFL is always a ready stage for undeniable talent.
There were no guarantees Doug Flutie would become the CFL’s greatest quarterback. Flutie was an exciting, never-say-die pivot for Boston College, but his first shot at an NFL career was underwhelming. But then Flutie suited up for the BC Lions in 1990 and immediately exploited all the creative possibilities on the CFL field.
THE WEAPONS
In 1981, Moon had offensive pieces for every situation. Slotback Tom Scott and receivers Brian Kelly were always reliable sets of hands, while Neil Lumsden and Jim Germany were two parts of a powerful backfield.
Doug Flutie’s talents were gifts to any offensive player he played with, and full back Robert Drummond, receivers Paul Masotti and Derrell "Mookie" Mitchell, and running back Pinball Clemons made multiple, repeat visits to the end zone in 1997 because of Flutie.
THE STATS
Moon, 10.5 yards per pass in 1981
Moon set a handful of Edmonton passing records in 1981, but his 10.5 yards per pass kept Edmonton’s offence in high gear.
Flutie 47 touchdown passes
Doug Flutie’s 48 touchdown passes in 1994 is a single-season CFL record that will likely only be broken by another once-in-a-lifetime CFL talent. The only quarterback to get close: Flutie's 47 touchdown passes in 1997, his final CFL season.