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Hall of Fame offensive lineman Miles Gorrell was one of the most durable players in CFL history. Source: https://cfhof.ca/members/miles-gorrell/ (May be subject to copyright) |
Yet, what I will remember most about Miles Gorrell is some of the stories I heard from and about him, that really made him an interesting character.
All of this came back to me last week when I was watching Winnipeg play Edmonton on TSN and Matt Dunigan was doing colour commentary.
He referred to his old friend Miles Gorrell when they were playing together in Winnipeg.
The years before
I did not realize it, but Miles Gorrell was born in Edmonton, and played high school football for Henry Wise Wood in Calgary. He would play his college football for the University of Ottawa from 1975 to 1977 and win a Vanier Cup with the GeeGees in 1975. He was a CIAU All-Canadian in 1976, and was the team’s outstanding lineman and most valuable player in 1977. The University of Ottawa named their award for outstanding offensive lineman in his honour too, the Miles Gorrell Award for Best Lineman.
I did not realize it, but Miles Gorrell was born in Edmonton, and played high school football for Henry Wise Wood in Calgary. He would play his college football for the University of Ottawa from 1975 to 1977 and win a Vanier Cup with the GeeGees in 1975. He was a CIAU All-Canadian in 1976, and was the team’s outstanding lineman and most valuable player in 1977. The University of Ottawa named their award for outstanding offensive lineman in his honour too, the Miles Gorrell Award for Best Lineman.
In 1978, he was a territorial selection for the Calgary Stampeders.
Long service
Miles Gorrell joined the Stampeders and played for them right through to 1982. Part way through the 1982 season he was traded to the Ottawa Rough Riders along with Larry James for future considerations. He played just two games for Ottawa before they traded him to Montreal for a pick in the 1983 draft. Interestingly, in 1982 Gorrell played 17 games in the 16-game schedule, with eight for Calgary, two for Ottawa and seven for Montreal.
Miles Gorrell joined the Stampeders and played for them right through to 1982. Part way through the 1982 season he was traded to the Ottawa Rough Riders along with Larry James for future considerations. He played just two games for Ottawa before they traded him to Montreal for a pick in the 1983 draft. Interestingly, in 1982 Gorrell played 17 games in the 16-game schedule, with eight for Calgary, two for Ottawa and seven for Montreal.
Gorrell flourished in Montreal. He was a CFL East all-star at offensive tackle in 1983 and 1984. However, they released him in September of 1985, and Hamilton signed him as a free agent. He finished the 1985 season with the Tiger-Cats and stayed with them until 1991.
His career really took off in Hamilton. He was again a CFL East all-star at offensive tackle in 1986, 1988, and 1989. He won the Leo Dandurand award for outstanding offensive lineman in the East Division in 1986 and 1989, and was runner-up both years for the Canadian Football League Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award. Gorrell was also an All-Canadian offensive tackle in 1989.
While with Hamilton, Gorrell appeared in the 1986 and 1989 Grey Cups, winning in 1986.
The years after
After the 1991 season, Gorrell was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for a third round pick in the 1992 CFL Draft. That is when he met and became good friends with quarterback Matt Dunigan. He was the Canadian Football League Players Association Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 1993, and played for the Bombers in the 1992 and 1993 Grey Cups.
After the 1991 season, Gorrell was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for a third round pick in the 1992 CFL Draft. That is when he met and became good friends with quarterback Matt Dunigan. He was the Canadian Football League Players Association Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 1993, and played for the Bombers in the 1992 and 1993 Grey Cups.
Gorrell became a free agent after the 1995 season, and signed with Hamilton where he played every game in the 1996 season, his final year in the CFL. He was released in February of 1997, and retired.
Miles Gorrell, whose career spanned 1978 to 1996, finished his career playing in a total of 321 games, fourth most in league history at the time of his retirement and most for a non-kicker. He also did not miss a game in his final 10 seasons.
He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
Joking
One season CFL commentator Leo Cahill was calling a game that Gorrell was playing in. At one point, Cahill was complimenting his play and his size, which is a benefit on the offensive line.
One season CFL commentator Leo Cahill was calling a game that Gorrell was playing in. At one point, Cahill was complimenting his play and his size, which is a benefit on the offensive line.
Then he said of Gorrell, “He should have an ‘A’ on the end of his name.”
There was a silence in the booth, and one of the other announcers said something to the effect of “I’m glad you said that and not me.”
The comment spread around the league, because the announcers on the other network doing football at the time, alluded to Cahill’s comment.
The secret
Another time, one of the announcers was describing an interview he had with Miles Gorrell.
Another time, one of the announcers was describing an interview he had with Miles Gorrell.
When he asked how Gorrell found so much success, he replied, “I hold on every play. The refs aren’t going to call it every time.”
Parting thoughts
Offensive linemen are the unsung heroes of football. They battle in the trenches which can be some of the toughest, most physical and dirty play in the sport, so the so-called skill players can gain yards and score touchdowns.
Offensive linemen are the unsung heroes of football. They battle in the trenches which can be some of the toughest, most physical and dirty play in the sport, so the so-called skill players can gain yards and score touchdowns.
From the time I started watching the Calgary Stampeders in 1979, Miles Gorrell was one of the anchors of their offensive line.
What always struck me was just how durable he was. He always showed up to play, and rarely ever missed a game. Moreover, he continued to play at a high level.
Quite simply, Miles Gorrell was one of the best.
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