Name Earl Lunsford Positions Running back College Oklahoma State Weight 91 kg | CFL status International Height 1.80 m Place of death Fort Worth, Texas Role American football player Drafted by Philadelphia Eagles | |
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Date of birth (1933-10-19)October 19, 1933 Date of death September 3, 2008(2008-09-03) (aged 74) Died September 3, 2008, Fort Worth, Texas, United States Education Oklahoma State University–Stillwater | ||
Place of birth Stillwater, Oklahoma | ||
Earl Lunsford (October 19, 1933 – September 3, 2008), known as the "Earthquake", was a fullback for the Calgary Stampeders and is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
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College football
Lunsford played his college football with Oklahoma State University.
Calgary
Lunsford was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League in 1956, but instead began his six-year career in the Canadian Football League that year with the Calgary Stampeders. His time in Calgary was interrupted for 2 seasons, 1957 to 1958, while serving in the United States military. He played 5 more seasons for the Stamps, from 1959 to 1963.
Lunsford rushed for over 1,000 yards 5 times, leading the West Division with 1,343 yards in 1960. During his best season, 1961, he led the entire CFL with a whopping 1,794 yards, which made him known as the first running back in professional sports to rush for a mile in one season. He was an All West all star in 1960 and All Canadian in 1961. That year, Calgary finished with a mediocre 7-9 record, but defeated the Edmonton Eskimos in the Western conference semi-final. However, they lost the Western conference final to the eventual Grey Cup winner, the Bud Grant-led Winnipeg Blue Bombers. His best game was on September 3, 1962, in Calgary, when he scored 5 rushing touchdowns, still a Stampeder record.
In his career, he rushed 1199 times for 6994 yards, a 5.8 yard average, and 55 touchdowns, with his longest run being 85 yards. He is the Stampeder all-time rushing leader with 55 touchdowns and 28 100-yard games and is second among Stampeders for all-time rushing yards.
Earl Lunsford had his own theme song "Earl The Pearl of Calgary".
General manager
After his playing career, Lunsford became General Manager of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1968–1982) and the Calgary Stampeders (1985–1987).
Post-football honors
For his outstanding years as a dominant running back, Lunsford was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
Death
He died September 3, 2008, aged 74, of Alzheimer's disease at his Texas home. He is survived by his wife Margot, children Brenda and Lamar, and three grandchildren.