It is with great sadness the Calgary Stampeders learn of the passing of Doug Mitchell. A member of the Stampeders’ ownership group and executive committee and a 2021 inductee into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, Mitchell was 83.

“Doug’s passing is a huge loss to the Stampeders, to the CFL and to the community,” said Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel. “His contributions to football and amateur sports were numerous and far-reaching. On behalf of the entire organization, I offer my deepest condolences to Lois and the family as well to all of Doug’s many friends.”

“Doug’s passion and energy for the CFL and the Calgary Stampeders will never be replaced,” said John Bean, president and CEO of Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation. “He was an amazing friend and mentor to us all, leading by example. We all learned so much from Doug. He will be deeply missed.”

A Calgary native, Mitchell served as CFL commissioner from 1984-88.

His association with the league started in 1960 as a player for the BC Lions and continued until his death in his capacity as a member of the Stampeders’ executive committee. Mitchell was part of a group of local business owners who purchased the Stampeders in 2005 and he continued to serve as an owner and partner.

In addition, he was a member of both the Stampeders Foundation and Flames Foundation.

Mitchell also enjoyed a successful law career with Borden Ladner Gervais LLP and in 1993 created the BLG Awards to honour Canadian university athletes. The Mitchell Bowl, one of Canadian university football’s annual semifinals, is named in his honour.

An alumnus of the University of British Columbia, Mitchell is a member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and his professional and community-based achievements were recognized with an appointment to the Order of Canada in 2004 and to the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2007.

He is survived by his wife Lois and children Shelley, Steven, Sue Ann and Scott.