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Harry Abofs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Harry Abofs
Abofs in 1971
Date of birth(1948-04-14)April 14, 1948
Place of birthGermany
Date of death(1993-08-29)August 29, 1993
Career information
Position(s)HB/DB
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight207 lb (94 kg)
US collegeTennessee Tech
High schoolDownsview HS
Career history
As player
19711972Toronto Argonauts
19721973Edmonton Eskimos
1973BC Lions
1974Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Harry Abofs (April 14, 1948 – August 29, 1993) was a Canadian football running back, defensive back, and return specialist for multiple Canadian Football League teams in the early 1970s. He played high school football at Downsview High School in Toronto. After playing college football for Tennessee Tech, Abofs went on to play for the Toronto Argonauts, the Edmonton Eskimos, the BC Lions, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.[1]

Abofs found some success as a running back in his rookie year with Toronto, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, but is best known for his role in the 59th Grey Cup. In the fourth quarter of the game with the Argonauts down 14–11, Abofs received a punt from the Calgary Stampeders. In an effort to capture the wet ball, he accidentally kicked it out of bounds while reaching down. CFL rules state that when a ball is kicked out of bounds, possession goes to the opposing team, thus giving Calgary possession once again. Had Abofs knocked the ball out of bounds with his hand, Toronto would have had one last offensive series. Instead, Calgary ran out the clock and ultimately captured their first Grey Cup since 1948.[2]

Abofs was later converted to a defensive back by the Edmonton Eskimos. After making three interceptions with the Eskimos in 1973, he continued in this role until his retirement from the CFL.[1]

Abofs died by suicide on August 29, 1993.[1][3]

Season statistics

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[1] Rushing Receiving Punt returns Kick returns Fumbles Defense
Year Team GP Att Yards Avg Long TD Catches Yards Avg Long TD PR Yards Avg Long TD KR Yards Avg Long TD FUM FR INT Yards
1971 TOR 14 22 106 4.8 26 1 10 67 6.7 34 1 57 227 4.0 15 0 4 71 17.8 25 0 1 0 0 0
1972 TOR 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 4.0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1972 ESK 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 152 19.0 23 0 0 0 1 1
1973 ESK 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 37
1973 BC 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 3 58 19.3 24 0 0 0 0 0
1974 HAM 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 108 3.5 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0
Total 45 22 106 4.8 26 1 11 71 6.5 34 1 89 335 3.8 15 0 15 281 18.7 25 0 4 4 4 38

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Maher, Tod; Gill, Bob (2013). The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012. Maher Sports Media. p. 139. ISBN 978-0983513667.
  2. ^ Maki, Allan (November 21, 2012). "Where are they now: The first family of Stampeders' football, the Forzani brothers". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  3. ^ Simmons, Steve (October 26, 2007). "Argos locate Mel Profit". canoe.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.