Harry Abofs

Harry Abofs
Date of birth (1948-04-14)April 14, 1948
Place of birth Germany
Date of death 1993
Career information
Position(s) HB/DB
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 207 lb (94 kg)
College Tennessee Tech
High school Downsview HS
Career history
As player
1971–1972 Toronto Argonauts
1972–1973 Edmonton Eskimos
1973 BC Lions
1974 Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Harry Abofs (April 14, 1948 – 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. 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, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Abofs is best known for his role in the 59th Grey Cup. In the fourth quarter of the game, the Toronto Argonauts were losing 11–14. Abofs received a punt from the Calgary Stampeders, giving the Argonauts a chance to tie or win the game. While attempting to preserve time on the game clock, Abofs kicked the ball out of bounds.[2] According to CFL rules, players on the return team may not intentionally use their lower body to force the ball out of bounds.[3] Due to this little-known rule, Abofs' kick resulted in the Stampeders gaining immediate possession of the ball and ultimately winning their first Grey Cup since 1948. The final score was 14–11.[3][2]

Following his performance at the Grey Cup, Abofs was given little playing time in Toronto. In 1972, he was released to make room for Dave Cranmer from the injured reserve.[4] He was later converted to a defensive back by the Edmonton Eskimos. After catching three interceptions with the Eskimos in 1973, he continued in this role until his retirement from the CFL.[1]

Harry Abofs committed suicide in 1993.[1][5]

Season statistics

[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

  1. 1 2 3 4 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. 1 2 Wallace, Craig (May 22, 2005). A Slip in the Rain, the True Story of the 1967-72 Toronto Argonauts and the Fumble That Killed Canada's Team. Lulu.com. p. 196. ISBN 978-1411613928. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  3. 1 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.
  4. ↑ Wallace, Craig (May 22, 2005). A Slip in the Rain, the True Story of the 1967-72 Toronto Argonauts and the Fumble That Killed Canada's Team. Lulu.com. p. 213. ISBN 978-1411613928. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  5. ↑ Simmons, Steve (October 26, 2007). "Argos locate Mel Profit". canoe.com. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
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