In Conversation With. . . ”Rufus Crawford” By Chris Durka

The Hamilton I asked Rufus what he remembered Tiger Cats have about the coaches that he played for here been fortunate in Hamilton. Frank Kush immediately came over the years to his mind. He said that Coach Kush would for having constantly make the team run and run and very talented run, not only laps, but up and down the special teams stadium steps. Rufus said Coach Kush would / all- purpose also join in and run too because he would yardage players. not make the players do something he would One of these not do. great players Rufus went onto say that his team-mates was No. 21 Rufus Crawford. Rufus played such as , David Shaw and running back, slot back, punt returner and were the locker room team kick returner. He demonstrated his football leaders which contributed to the stability of talents at Virginia State University and began the team. Howard Fields was also known as his professional football career with the NFL H-Bomb because you just never knew when far. Rufus recalled a funny situation during Seattle Seahawks. he would explode. Rufus mentioned that a game against the Eskimos. He received a Rufus ended up in Hamilton after a stint during his career in Hamilton he developed pass from Clements beating Kepley’s coverage with Seattle. His rights were picked up by the strong friendships with a number of players and turned up down field for a 50 plus yard Winnipeg Blue Bombers who in turn, after a such as Obie Graves, Johnny Sheppard, David touchdown when everything suddenly went short period of time, sent him to Hamilton on Shaw, , , but dark. The lights at Commonwealth Stadium an apparent loan basis. Whoever heard of such Felix Wright, who played defensive back for went completely out and stayed out for about a thing, was he traded or not? Ray Jauch the the team, became his closest friend with the 45 minutes. Winnipeg coach called him in and informed Ti-Cats. Rufus’s playing days ended in 1986 and him that’s exactly what it was. The rest is When I asked him who was his favourite although he was not physically part of the history, Rufus arrived in Hamilton and showed in Hamilton Rufus adamantly Tiger Cat team that won the that off his football skills from 1979 to 1985. answered . He said that Tom was year his heart and support was with his team Rufus said that he was happy to leave a very talented and intelligent quarterback mates and therefore felt very much part of Winnipeg because he had never been so cold that he really enjoyed playing with. He said that Grey Cup team. before in his entire life. He was raised in North when Clements wore his glasses he reminded Rufus Crawford was successful as a profes- Carolina and the weather in Winnipeg was him of Clark Kent, the original superman. sional football player and is also a successful nothing like he had ever experienced before. Rufus’s most memorable experiences were in life after football. He currently lives in Rufus was met at the airport in Toronto by numerous, he said that the Labour Day games Newmarket and has become an accomplished who at the time was the running against the Toronto Argos was definitely the actor with numerous impressive credits to his back coach with the Ti-Cats. Rufus said he most important league game of the year. He name. When he is not acting he keeps busy quickly found out that Coach Zuger was a said that it seemed everything else came to a working at a Fitness Club in Markham. man of few words because on the drive from standstill. Rufus was exciting to watch with his Toronto to Hamilton Coach Zuger might Other great memories were his relation- elusive moves and his dashing speed. His have said five words to him at the most. ship with Ti-Cat fans, the Grey Cups that versatility made him a multiple offensive However, when they approached downtown he participated in and obviously the 1984 threat from anywhere on the field. He was Hamilton Coach Zuger asked him what he football season when he broke the CFL an exceptional player and a true example of thought about the downtown area. All Rufus all-purpose yardage record that had been held Hamilton Tiger Cat football. could remember was that they drove through by for 28 years. Due to this it before he could articulate his thoughts. outstanding achievement he won the Eastern CHRIS DURKA He couldn’t get over how small it was in Outstanding Player Award and represented Chris is a long-time Tiger-Cat fan, comparison to the American cities that he the Eastern Conference for the prestigious season ticket holder, historian and was used to. Once in Hamilton Rufus said Schenley Award. collector of Tiger-Cat memorabilia with much sarcasm that he had the distinct I asked Rufus who he felt was the and autographs. Over the years, pleasure of staying at the luxurious City toughest player he had ever played against in Chris has had the honour to speak Motor Hotel which was located in the east the CFL and he stated that Eskimo’s all-star with many Tiger-Cat players whom end of the City. linebacker Dan Kepley was the toughest by he now recalls in conversation.