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Hall of Fame offensive lineman Lloyd Fairbanks blocking for the Calgary Stampeders. Source: https://www.stampeders.com/tag/lloyd-fairbanks/ (May be subject to copyright) |
He played on some good teams, and some incredibly bad teams, then came within one year of winning a Grey Cup in his last season. Yet through it all, Lloyd Fairbanks was an anchor on the offensive lines of all the teams he played on.
He was recognized for his 15 years of exemplary service yesterday, being inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023.
In the beginning
The football journey of Lloyd Fairbanks begins not too far from where I grew up, and would end there close to 40 years later.
The football journey of Lloyd Fairbanks begins not too far from where I grew up, and would end there close to 40 years later.
Born and raised in Raymond, Alberta he played his high school football for the Raymond Comets, a perennial powerhouse to this day.
He moved on to play college football at Ricks College in Idaho then Brigham Young University in Utah.
The Calgary Stampeders would select Fairbanks in the 1975 CFL draft.
Years of the horse
Fairbanks joined the Stampeders for the 1975 season. He was Calgary’s nominee for Most Outstanding Lineman in 1976, and every year from 1978 to 1982. He was named a West Division all-star three times, in 1978, 1979 and 1982, and a CFL all-star twice, in 1979 and 1982. He was named Calgary’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 1980, and was named the top offensive lineman in the West Division in 1982, winning the DeMarco-Becket Foundation Trophy. He was also runner up to Rudy Phillips of the Ottawa Rough Riders for CFL Outstanding Offensive Lineman in the CFL in 1982.
Fairbanks joined the Stampeders for the 1975 season. He was Calgary’s nominee for Most Outstanding Lineman in 1976, and every year from 1978 to 1982. He was named a West Division all-star three times, in 1978, 1979 and 1982, and a CFL all-star twice, in 1979 and 1982. He was named Calgary’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 1980, and was named the top offensive lineman in the West Division in 1982, winning the DeMarco-Becket Foundation Trophy. He was also runner up to Rudy Phillips of the Ottawa Rough Riders for CFL Outstanding Offensive Lineman in the CFL in 1982.
Heading east
It was big news when Lloyd Fairbanks signed as a free agent with Montreal in 1983. I remember the news conference as Joe Galat, of the Concordes, announced Fairbanks’ signing. He looked so small next to Lloyd.
It was big news when Lloyd Fairbanks signed as a free agent with Montreal in 1983. I remember the news conference as Joe Galat, of the Concordes, announced Fairbanks’ signing. He looked so small next to Lloyd.
Fairbanks was Montreal’s top offensive lineman in 1984, 1985 and 1986, and was an East Division all-star in 1984,1985, and 1986 as well.
Montreal folded and became the Alouettes in 1986, then folded altogether before the 1987 season started. A dispersal draft of their players was held, and Fairbanks was selected by the Hamilton Tiger Cats, where he played in 1987 and 1988.
Homecoming
Fairbanks returned to the Stampeders in 1989, where he played until retiring after the 1991 season. He was twice named Calgary’s top offensive lineman, and was a West Division all-star in 1990. He finally did get to play in a Grey Cup in 1991 with Calgary, although they lost to Toronto.
Fairbanks returned to the Stampeders in 1989, where he played until retiring after the 1991 season. He was twice named Calgary’s top offensive lineman, and was a West Division all-star in 1990. He finally did get to play in a Grey Cup in 1991 with Calgary, although they lost to Toronto.
Had he stayed one more year, he may have won a Grey Cup with the Stampeders in 1992, when they beat Winnipeg for the championship.
He would return to Raymond and coach the same Raymond Comets high school football team he played on. He would also coach both his sons and win a provincial championship.
Parting thoughts
Offensive linemen don’t always get the credit they deserve. Although that has changed over the past few years, helped by the success of “The Blindside”, a blockbuster movie that shines a spotlight on the offensive line.
Offensive linemen don’t always get the credit they deserve. Although that has changed over the past few years, helped by the success of “The Blindside”, a blockbuster movie that shines a spotlight on the offensive line.
Lloyd Fairbanks was always a name I recognized when I first started watching football, and the Calgary Stampeders, in 1978. He was a stalward on their offensive lineman, and helped them become a winning team.
What stands out for me though is that, after 17 seasons in the CFL, he would eventually find his way back to Raymond, his home town, where he contributed to the community that gave him so much. He would get involved in the community, his church, and the school.
He ended up coaching the same high school football team he played for, and was fortunate enough to coach his two sons as well.
That says a lot more about Lloyd Fairbanks than any awards he won, and he won many.
It’s what makes him hall of fame in my book.
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