The Canadian Football Hall of Fame is home to the most well-respected names in CFL history.
Every player dreams of becoming a Hall of Famer, working tirelessly to potentially be enshrined.
Below are nine players — one from each team — who are most likely to eventually become members of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
B.C. Lions — QB Mike Reilly
The hard-nosed passer has thrown for 31,552 yards and 168 touchdowns over ten CFL seasons without signs of slowing down. Reilly is a two-time Grey Cup champion, one-time Grey Cup MVP, and was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2017. The six-foot-three, 230-pounder is also a formidable ball carrier, having rushed for 3,366 yards and 52 career touchdowns.
Calgary Stampeders — QB Bo Levi Mitchell
The Katy, Texas native is only 30, but his induction to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame already seems like a lock. Mitchell has passed for 27,937 yards and 169 touchdowns en route to two Grey Cup victories (2014, 2018). The two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player (2016, 2018) has posted an unparalleled record as a starter, going 77-18-2 over his eight years in the league.
Edmonton — DL Almondo Sewell
The interior defender has posted 282 tackles and 60 sacks over nine dominant seasons in Edmonton. The six-time league all-star won a Grey Cup with the team in 2015 and is routinely considered one of the most disruptive linemen in the CFL. The 33-year-old’s production is enough for him to somersault his way into the Hall of Fame following his eventual retirement.
Saskatchewan Roughriders — OL Brendon LaBatte
The six-time CFL all-star is one of the best offensive linemen in league history, winning a Grey Cup with his hometown team in 2013. LaBatte was a first-round pick out of Regina in 2008 and has since appeared in 181 games at tackle, guard, and centre. The 33-year-old has been named his team’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman seven times and won the award on a league level in 2013.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers — RB Andrew Harris
The three-time CFL rushing champion has posted over 14,000 yards from scrimmage over his career — 9,038 rushing and 5,107 receiving — with 79 touchdowns. Harris has twice been named the Grey Cup’s Most Valuable Canadian while also being named the game’s Most Valuable Player this past November. The five-time league all-star is a two-time finalist for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian award, winning it once in 2017.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats — OL Chris Van Zeyl
The 36-year-old captured his first CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman award in 2019, which was long overdue. The McMaster University product spent ten seasons with the Argos prior to joining Hamilton in 2019 where he started 17 games at right tackle. The two-time Grey Cup champion and six-time East Division all-star has 173 games to his name and has yet to show signs of slowing down.
Toronto Argonauts — LB Chris Ackie
The Argos have overhauled their roster over the past two years with departures including future Hall of Famers like Ricky Ray, S.J. Green, and Van Zeyl. Ackie is only a five-year veteran, but he gets the nod here for being a ratio-breaking defender who could start in Toronto for years to come. The Wilfrid Laurier University product has 178 total tackles, four forced fumbles, two sacks, and two interceptions in 65 career games.
Ottawa Redblacks — REC Brad Sinopoli
Sinopoli may need another productive season or two to secure a spot in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, but his phenomenal U Sports career — that includes a Hec Crighton Trophy from 2010 — could help tip the scales. The three-time East Division all-star has twice been named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian (2015, 2018) while posting 509 receptions for 5,741 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns.
Montreal Alouettes — DL John Bowman
Bowman has been sensational since his CFL career began in 2006, posting 451 tackles, 134 sacks, and 32 forced fumbles. The 37-year-old is sixth all-time in quarterback takedowns and could realistically move up as many as three spots if he plays another season. Regardless of whether or not he chooses to return, this native of Brooklyn is a shoo-in for the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
