ELGAARD NAMED TO GRIDIRON GREATS HALL OF FAME

Former Saskatchewan Roughrider star Ray Elgaard will be one of this year’s inductees into the Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame.

Elgaard was one of the top receivers in the CFL for fourteen seasons (1983-1996) with the Western ‘Riders. He played for the University of Utah prior to being selected by Saskatchewan in the second round of the 1983 Draft.

Elgaard was a CFL all-star four times and was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian on three occasions. He was a member of the ‘Riders 1989 Grey Cup championship team. Elgaard finished his career with 830 receptions for 13,198 yards and 78 touchdowns. He had eight 1,000 yard receiving seasons.

He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

“When you are named to something like this – even 25 years later – people still remember you and what you did,” says Elgaard. “Any time you get recognition in that regard it’s a good thing.”

The 55 year-old Edmonton native is now a Financial Consultant for LPL Financial in Las Vegas, Nevada, specializing as a financial advisor to Canadian professional athletes. He keeps active playing hockey four times a week and is the founder of the Canadian Club of Las Vegas. “It’s a great social networking thing for me,” says Elgaard. “I brought a little bit of Canada south of the border.”

“We are excited to induct Ray into our Hall of Fame,” says Shannon Jordan, Executive Director, Gridiron Greats. “He exemplifies all of the characteristics we look for in our honorees. We appreciate all of the support the Canadian Football League has given us over the years and look forward to an incredible night.”

“The Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame was started about nine years ago by a number of former players including Gale Sayers, Mike Ditka and others,” adds Mark Lewis, Director, Detroit Chapter of the Hall.

All profits from the event go to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund to support former players who have fallen on hard times. The Fund is supported through numerous donations and fundraising activities throughout the year including special events, auctions of memorabilia, autograph events, corporate and public donation drives, sponsorships and special Super Bowl related events.

Elgaard will join former CFL’ers Angelo Mosca, George Reed, Hugh Campbell and Matt Dunigan, as well as fellow Canadian and former NFL player Eddie Murray in the Hall. He will be part of this year’s selection group that will include former NFL and AFL stars Jim McMahon, Raymond Chester, Abner Haynes and Dick Vermeil (coach). Former CFL and NFL star Fred Biletnikoff will also be inducted.

Elgaard was nominated for the honour by the CFL Alumni Association Board of Directors.

The annual Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 12, 2015.

For more information on the event please contact Leo Ezerins, Executive Director, CFLAA at 905-464-0007 or email at leo@cflalumni.org.