'A giant in life': Saskatchewan Roughriders icon George Reed passes away, aged 83
George Reed, one of the most prolific running backs in Canadian Football League (CFL) history and a legend of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, has passed away. He was 83.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced Reed’s passing in a news release Sunday.
“It is with great sadness and broken hearts that the Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club, alongside its fans and the entire CFL community, mourns the death of one of its greatest players of all time, George Reed.”
Reed recorded an unparalleled 13 year career with the green and white, retiring in 1976 as the league’s all-time leading rusher with 16,116 rushing yards and 134 career rushing touchdowns. The latter record still stands.
Reed was a nine-time CFL all-star, 10 time west all-star and played in five consecutive all-star games from 1970 to 1974.
Number 34 was also a driving force in the club’s first ever Grey Cup victory in 1966, when Reed rushed for 133 yards and a touchdown.
“It was my dad’s immense honour to be part of the Saskatchewan community and to call it home for so many years,” George’s daughter, Georgette said in the release. “Sixty years ago, he received an offer to move to Regina to play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and in accepting that offer it changed our lives for the better.”
An unstoppable force on the field, Reed was just as well known for his dedication in the community.
George Reed is pictured during an interview with CTV News Regina.
In 1975, the George Reed Foundation was established, which would see Reed spend the next 50 years volunteering and giving back in the areas of education, continuous learning, healthy living as well as individuals with disabilities.
“George Reed was a giant in life, not only for the Roughriders, but in the Saskatchewan community and across the entire CFL,” Riders' President and CEO Craig Reynolds said in the release. “His strength and tenacity on the field was matched only by his compassion and dedication off of it.”
In lieu of flowers, the Saskatchewan Roughriders encourage anyone inspired by the legacy of George Reed to make a donation in his memory to the George Reed Legacy Fund.
According to the Riders, plans to honour Reed’s legacy will follow in the coming days.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING
BREAKING Kenneth Law charged with 14 counts of murder in Ontario sodium nitrite deaths
An Ontario man already facing charges of aiding and abetting suicides through kits he sold online now faces 14 new second-degree murder charges, according to documents obtained by CTV News.
Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell, of 'Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,' dead at 29
Reality personality Anna Cardwell, who was featured on the TLC program “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” has died, according to social media posts made by her family. She was 29.
2 young boys dead, mother in critical condition after incident in Scarborough
Toronto police say a homicide investigation is underway after an incident at a Scarborough apartment building Sunday night left two young boys dead and their mother in critical condition.
Most Albertans don't want the province to pull out of CPP, survey finds
One month after finance ministers met to discuss the Alberta government's intent to pull out of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) public opinion polling by the Angus Reid Institute suggests there's little desire among Albertans or the rest of Canada to see Alberta leave the plan.
Three dead after shed fire outside northwest Calgary hardware store
Three people were found dead in the Crowfoot Crossing area of northwest Calgary on Monday after a fire.
'I know I messed up': House Speaker Fergus challenged by MPs probing video controversy
A repentant Greg Fergus testified Monday before his peers about what he says was his unintentional participation in a partisan provincial Liberal party event in early December, telling MPs that as the House of Commons Speaker, he knows he 'messed up.'
Missing woman from First Nation in Saskatchewan found safe, police say
A 39-year-old woman who was reported missing from Kahkewistahaw First Nation in Saskatchewan has been found safe, police say.
Grocer profits set to exceed record in 2023, expert says, ahead of committee meeting
Profits in the Canadian grocery sector will likely exceed $6 billion in 2023, setting a new record as they rise eight per cent from last year, according to the Centre for Future Work. New research by the progressive research institute found that food retailers are now earning more than twice as much profit as they did pre-pandemic.
Poland's parliament elects centrist party leader Donald Tusk as prime minister
Poland's parliament elected centrist party leader Donald Tusk as prime minister on Monday, paving the way for a new pro-EU government after eight years of stormy national conservative rule.
Saskatoon
-
Fire damages memorial for Saskatoon girl killed at crosswalk
The Saskatoon Fire Department says an unattended candle caused a fire at a memorial for a girl who was killed in 2021.
-
Many in Sask. don't know police street checks are voluntary: Commission
Saskatchewan’s Human Rights Commission (SHRC) says there’s significant difference between the way police contact interviews are described by law enforcement and experienced by people on the ground.
-
Saskatoon's fire chief is retiring in the new year
Saskatoon's chief is hanging up his fire hat after a 36-year career.
Winnipeg
-
'You should be slowing down': RCMP respond to dozens of crashes during winter blast
It was a busy weekend for RCMP officers as they were out dealing with a number of crashes on Manitoba highways, the majority related to icy conditions.
-
Apartment building fire leaves Manitoba woman dead
A 70-year-old woman is dead following an apartment fire in Souris, Man., last week.
-
Indigenous advisory council for CN resigns, says railway won't take responsibility
A council of prominent Indigenous leaders tasked with advising Canadian National Railway Co. has resigned over what they say is the company's failure to acknowledge past wrongs and follow its recommendations for reconciliation.
Calgary
-
Three dead after shed fire outside northwest Calgary hardware store
Three people were found dead in the Crowfoot Crossing area of northwest Calgary on Monday after a fire.
-
Winning $50M lottery ticket purchased in Calgary
Someone bought a Lotto 6-49 ticket in Calgary that won big this weekend.
-
Calgary seniors, advocates encouraged by new national dental plan
Calgary seniors, advocates and dentists are celebrating a newly announced dental care plan aimed at helping Canadians better afford oral health care.
Edmonton
-
Edmonton's airport joins international plan to increase green shipping over Pacific Ocean
Edmonton International Airport (YEG) has promised to help increase green shipping between Canada and key ports in Asia and the Middle East.
-
Most Albertans don't want the province to pull out of CPP, survey finds
One month after finance ministers met to discuss the Alberta government's intent to pull out of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) public opinion polling by the Angus Reid Institute suggests there's little desire among Albertans or the rest of Canada to see Alberta leave the plan.
-
Body found at Spruce Grove fire
A dead person was found at the scene of a fire in Spruce Grove early Monday morning.
Toronto
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Kenneth Law charged with 14 counts of murder in Ontario sodium nitrite deaths
An Ontario man already facing charges of aiding and abetting suicides through kits he sold online now faces 14 new second-degree murder charges, according to documents obtained by CTV News.
-
2 young boys dead, mother in critical condition after incident in Scarborough
Toronto police say a homicide investigation is underway after an incident at a Scarborough apartment building Sunday night left two young boys dead and their mother in critical condition.
-
Charges laid after lottery scratch tickets tampered with across GTA
An Ontario man has been charged after lottery tickets were tampered with and sold to customers.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa police charge man after small explosive detonated in Centretown
Ottawa police say a 53-year-old man is facing charges after a small, homemade explosive device was detonated in Centretown Sunday night.
-
Uniqlo opening a second store in Ottawa
The popular clothing retailer Uniqlo will open its second Ottawa store at the Bayshore Shopping Centre next year.
-
OC Transpo driver injured after fire aboard bus in Nepean
The Ottawa Police is investigating reports of a fire on OC Transpo that has injured a bus driver.
Vancouver
-
Lawyer for Ibrahim Ali says police told him someone brought loaded handgun into court
A lawyer for Ibrahim Ali in his first-degree murder trial says police told him a person close to the proceeding brought a handgun into the Vancouver courtroom on Friday with 'intent to kill.'
-
Advocates, victims' families oppose destroying Robert Pickton evidence
Advocates and families of victims who were alleged to have been murdered by serial killer Robert Pickton say they oppose applications by the RCMP in British Columbia to destroy or return thousands of pieces of evidence.
-
B.C. health officials urge vaccination ahead of the holidays
Health officials in B.C. are again appealing to people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza before they gather with friends and family over the holidays.
Montreal
-
Longueuil police investigating alleged sexual assault on child, 4, at school
Police on Montreal's South Shore are investigating a 'possible' sexual assault of a four-year-old child at an elementary school.
-
Nurses, health workers set to join other Quebec public sector workers on picket lines
About 80,000 unionized Quebec nurses and other health care workers are set to join fellow public sector workers already on strike.
-
Construction of replacement Ile-Aux-Tourtes bridge officially underway
Construction of the new Ile-aux-Tourtes bridge has officially started, Quebec's Transport Ministry announced on Monday.
Vancouver Island
-
Police cleared of wrongdoing in shooting death at Campbell River marina
British Columbia's police watchdog says a man who was shot multiple times by officers with the emergency response team in Campbell River last year was already dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound by the time police opened fire.
-
Victim suffers serious head injury in Courtenay assault
Mounties in the Comox Valley are investigating a targeted assault that sent one man to hospital with a serious head injury.
-
B.C. health officials urge vaccination ahead of the holidays
Health officials in B.C. are again appealing to people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza before they gather with friends and family over the holidays.
Atlantic
-
Wind warnings in place across the Maritimes, more than 70K without power
More than 70,000 Maritimers are without power Monday as a storm brings high winds and rain to the region.
-
Fourth person dies after P.E.I. collision
Another person is dead after a vehicle collision on Prince Edward Island last week.
-
Commissioner concerned over 'slow erosion' of French in N.B.
The Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick is deeply concerned about the decline of French being spoken inside homes across the province.
Northern Ontario
-
Sex assault, extortion, other charges dropped against Northern Ont. man because of trial delays
Several serious charges against a North Bay man have been dropped because of delays in bringing the case to trial.
-
North Bay police warn of thumb-tack scam that cost victim $4,000
A recent scam in the parking lot of a local shopping mall has prompted police to issue a public warning.
-
Police investigating death of a baby in Elliot Lake
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating after an infant was brought to the hospital in Elliot Lake on Saturday morning with no vital signs and was later pronounced dead.
Kitchener
-
Kitchener incident that left one woman dead and another hurt under investigation
A 71-year-old woman was found dead in a Kitchener apartment Monday morning. Another woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
-
One person hurt, another in custody after Kitchener stabbing
Police are investigating a stabbing in Kitchener that sent one person to hospital.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Kenneth Law charged with 14 counts of murder in Ontario sodium nitrite deaths
An Ontario man already facing charges of aiding and abetting suicides through kits he sold online now faces 14 new second-degree murder charges, according to documents obtained by CTV News.
