Winnipeg set to host CFL Hall of Fame ceremonies

Despite a season plagued with drama and dismal football, Winnipeg football fans will have something to look forward to when the city hosts the CFL Hall of Fame induction ceremonies Friday.

Middle linebacker Alondra Johnson, offensive linemen Jim Mills and Rudy Phillips, defensive lineman Glen Weir and long-time Calgary Stampeders director Tony Anselmo lead the hall of fame class.

"This is a very deserving class. These men personify what's great about Canadian football, from electrifying plays on the field while working to make our game and our communities stronger off the field," said Mark DeNobile, the Hall of Fame's executive director.

"These gentlemen rarely played in the spotlight, but always at a very high level. It is only right that they now be honoured for their contributions to the game with this induction into the hall."

Winnipeg will host the induction ceremonies for the first time in the city's history. The ceremonies have been held in Hamilton since 1963.

Class of 2009

Johnson broke into the CFL in 1989, signing as a free agent with the B.C. Lions, and was the team's nominee for top defensive player that season.

He joined the Stampeders two years later and was named a Western Division all-star 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998 and 2000. Johnson was also named an all-Canadian in 1995, 1998 and 2000. A three-time Grey Cup champion, Johnson has 1,084 career tackles placing him third on the CFL's all-time tackles list.

Mills, a long-time offensive lineman for the Lions, was a West all-star star in 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993 and an all Canadian in 1988, 1990 and 1991. He was also named the league's most outstanding lineman, winning the award back-to-back in 1990 and 1991.

The Vancouver native played one season with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1994 before ending his career with the Lions the next season.

Phillips, who once played offensive guard, was named the league's best lineman in 1982 and 1983. Phillips pursued an NFL career in 1984 but returned to the CFL in 1986 with the Edmonton Eskimos.

An East all-star in 1982 and 1983, with the Ottawa Rough Riders the three-time all-Canadian was given the nod in the West in 1986.

Weir began his professional career in 1972 with the Alouettes following a trade from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. His breakout season came three years later when Weir was chosen as an East all-star and all-Canadian.

Anselmo, who has been actively involved with the Stampeders since 1973 and part of the McMahon Stadium Society since 1974, will be inducted in the builders category.

The founder and director of the Stampeder Football Club Wall of Fame Committee, Anselmo is also an active member of the Stampeder Alumni Association and member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.

"Tony Anselmo typifies a tremendous group of people in our league, builders who are true CFL stars without ever wearing a number," CFL commissioner Mark Cohon said in a statement.

"He deserves to be honoured for his contribution to making the Calgary Stampeders a first-class organization and McMahon Stadium a wonderful place to watch Canadian football."