Canadian Football League

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Canadian Football League figure passes away

Annis Stukus, the Canadian Football League figure who enjoyed a varied career in sports, died Saturday. He was 91.
The Edmonton Eskimos said Stukus died at his home in Canmore.
Nicknamed Stuke, he was best known for helping build CFL franchises in Edmonton and Vancouver. He also was general manager of the World Hockey Association's Winnipeg Jets, and signed Bobby Hull to a $1 million contract.
Stukus was a versatile player during his 12-year career with the Toronto Argonauts, playing numerous positions including quarterback. Along with brothers Bill and Frank, he helped the Argos to Grey Cup victories in 1937 and '38.
Stukus went on to coaching, becoming head coach of the Eskimos in 1949. He took over the B.C. Lions in 1953, holding that job until 1956.
"This is a tremendous loss for fans of the CFL and for the B.C. Lions," Lions president and CEO Bob Ackles said. "Annis was an outstanding player and coach and an even better person off the field."
A member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, Stukus was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a builder in 1974.

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