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Harry Skipper with the Montreal Concordes. Source: https://www.cflapedia.com/Players/s/skipper_harry.htm (May be subject to copyright) |
Moore’s performance took me back to the 1980s, and a defensive back who had that kind of game-breaking ability too.
Instead of two interception returns for touchdowns, I recall him being named the defensive player of the week three weeks in a row.
That was absolutely unheard of for any time.
His name was Harry Skipper and he may have been one of the best defensive backs of the decade.
North to Montreal
Harry Skipper played his college football at South Carolina and joined the Montreal Concordes in February of 1983.
Harry Skipper played his college football at South Carolina and joined the Montreal Concordes in February of 1983.
That first season of 1983, Skipper had 10 interceptions for 198 return yards and one touchdown as well as three fumble recoveries, and blocked two kicks. He was selected to the CFL East and CFL All-Star teams.
He followed that up in 1984 with eight interceptions for 253 yards and two touchdowns as well as two fumble recoveries, one fumble-return touchdown, one quarterback sack, and blocked one kick. He was again selected to the CFL East and CFL All-Star teams. He was also named the Outstanding Defensive Player in the East that year.
It was in this period, 1984 I am almost certain, where he went on a tear. He had a great game and was named defensive player of the week. The next week, he had an even better game, and was again named defensive player of the week. It was rare to win it twice in a row. Then, improbably, he intercepted three passes the next week and won defensive player of the week for a third straight time. He was just awesome.
In 1985, he had another seven interceptions for 121 yards, two fumble recoveries, one quarterback sack, and blocked one kick. He also returned 29 punts for 473 yards, one touchdown, for an average of 16.3 yards with a long of 89 yards.
Head west young man
After the 1985 season, Skipper signed as a free agent with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and headed west to play in Regina.
After the 1985 season, Skipper signed as a free agent with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and headed west to play in Regina.
In 1986, he only played in five games, recording two interceptions for 72 yards and a touchdown, and blocked one kick. He also returned 11 punts for 44 yards, a four-yard average, and a long of 15 yards.
He was back in the line up full-time in 1987, appearing in all 18 games for the Riders. In fact, he would not miss another game in his career. That year, he intercepted eight passes, returning them 198 yards. He also blocked two kicks. That was the first year tackles were recorded as a statistic, and Skipper had 48. He also returned 15 punts for 44 yards, for a 2.9-yard average and a long of 29 yards. For his efforts, Skipper was named a CFL West All-Star.
In 1988, he helped the Riders return to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, intercepting eight passes and returning them for 185 yards and one touchdown. He also made 40 tackles.
The Riders won the Grey Cup in 1989. Skipper was patrolling the secondary for them when they beat Hamilton at SkyDome in November. That season, Skipper had four interceptions for 40 yards and 57 tackles. He also returned one punt 14 yards.
He retired at the end of the 1989 season, as a Grey Cup champion.
His career totals were 47 interceptions for 1,067 yards and five touchdowns. He also had seven fumble recoveries for two more touchdowns, and six blocked kicks. Skipper added a touchdown on a punt return as well, returning a total of 56 punts for 575 yards and a 10.3-yard average.
Parting thoughts
Harry Skipper was one of the best defensive backs in the CFL in the 1980s, and he has the stats to prove it. He still sits third all time in interception return yards with 1,067, and is one of only five players with more than 1,000 yards.
Harry Skipper was one of the best defensive backs in the CFL in the 1980s, and he has the stats to prove it. He still sits third all time in interception return yards with 1,067, and is one of only five players with more than 1,000 yards.
I still recall his last game, the 1989 Grey Cup, where he turned in a solid effort.
What I will remember most was how he could break a game open when he had the ball. He obviously had an instinct for running and finding the end zone because of the touchdowns he scored on interceptions, fumble returns, and punt returns.
A West and East Division All-Star, a CFL All-Star, and a CFL East Defensive Player of the Year, along with all those interceptions, return yards, and touchdowns, make him one of the best.
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