By Nic Sgaggi
Stampeders.com
Stu Laird is set to become an immortal Calgary Stampeder.
The Stamps will celebrate their former-defensive lineman’s decorated career when they add him to the Wall of Fame on Sept. 13 at McMahon Stadium.
“It’s a special day,” Laird said after it was announced that he would join the Wall of Fame class of 2014. “It provides me with an opportunity to thank so many people for the level of success that I was able to achieve in Stampeder football.”
The Stampeder of 13 seasons grew up in Calgary where he spent virtually his entire football career, playing high school ball at Lord Beaverbrook prior to joining the University of Calgary Dinos.
He joked about his relationship with the Stamps’ home turf and how he played every football game of his career for a Calgary-based team except one lone preseason bout in which he played for a long-time Stamps’ rival.
“I played high school football games in (McMahon) Stadium,” said Laird. “I played my university home games in this stadium. Every CFL home game that I ever played was in this stadium. The one exhibition game when I was wearing a Rider uniform was even in this stadium.”
In 170 games for the Red and White, Laird amassed 72 sacks — a statistic good for second best in franchise history.
He now has three President’s Rings, one Tom Pate Memorial Award, a West Division all-star accolade and a Wall of Fame spot to his name. Still, there is one moment in Stampeders’ history that he will cherish more than any other.
“The one that probably means the most is winning the ’92 Grey Cup championship,” said Laird. “It’s so hard to win at any level of football. It takes the efforts of so many people. That year will always be the one that stands out for me.”
In addition to Laird, the Wall of Fame class of 2014 includes Jamie Crysdale, James Sykes, Ron Allbright, Pat Clayton and George Hopkins.
“I think about the names that are up there on that wall and the inductees at this particular time,” said Laird. “Ron Allbright and James Sykes are players that I remember growing up. And then to go in with a former teammate in Jamie Crysdale, not to mention Pat and George, who I spent so much time with, it makes this day even more special.”
Laird is still a loyal Stamps fan has remained in Calgary since he hung up his cleats in 1996. He now works as a Calgary firefighter.
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