Harry Abofs Explained

Harry Abofs
Position1:Halfback
Position2:Defensive back
Birth Date:14 April 1948
Birth Place:Germany
College:Tennessee Tech
High School:Downsview HS
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lbs:207
Playing Years1:
Playing Team1:Toronto Argonauts
Playing Years2:
Playing Team2:Edmonton Eskimos
Playing Team3:BC Lions
Playing Team4:Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Harry Abofs (April 14, 1948 – August 29, 1993) was a Canadian football running back, defensive back, and return specialist for multiple Canadian Football League teams in the early 1970s. He played high school football at Downsview High School in Toronto. After playing college football for Tennessee Tech, Abofs went on to play for the Toronto Argonauts, the Edmonton Eskimos, the BC Lions, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Abofs found some success as a running back in his rookie year with Toronto, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, but is best known for his role in the 59th Grey Cup. In the fourth quarter of the game with the Argonauts down 14–11, Abofs received a punt from the Calgary Stampeders. In an effort to capture the wet ball, he accidentally kicked it out of bounds while reaching down. CFL rules state that when a ball is kicked out of bounds, possession goes to the opposing team, thus giving Calgary possession once again. Had Abofs knocked the ball out of bounds with his hand, Toronto would have had one last offensive series. Instead, Calgary ran out the clock and ultimately captured their first Grey Cup since 1948.[1]

Abofs was later converted to a defensive back by the Edmonton Eskimos. After making three interceptions with the Eskimos in 1973, he continued in this role until his retirement from the CFL.[2]

Abofs died by suicide on August 29, 1993.[3]

Season statistics

Rushing Receiving Punt returns Kick returns Fumbles Defense
Year Team GP Att Yards Avg Long TD Catches Yards Avg Long TD PR Yards Avg Long TD KR Yards Avg Long TD FUM FR INT Yards
14 22 106 4.8 26 1 10 67 6.7 34 1 57 227 4.0 15 0 4 71 17.8 25 0 1 0 0 0
6 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 4.0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 152 19.0 23 0 0 0 1 1
8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 37
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 3 58 19.3 24 0 0 0 0 0
9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 108 3.5 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0
Total 45 22 106 4.8 26 1 11 71 6.5 34 1 89 335 3.8 15 0 15 281 18.7 25 0 4 4 4 38

Notes and References

  1. News: Maki. Allan. Where are they now: The first family of Stampeders' football, the Forzani brothers. 14 April 2016. The Globe and Mail. November 21, 2012.
  2. Book: Maher. Tod. Gill. Bob. The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012. 2013. Maher Sports Media. 978-0983513667. 139.
  3. News: Simmons. Steve. Argos locate Mel Profit. https://web.archive.org/web/20160505162717/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Columnists/Simmons/2007/10/26/4607929-sun.html. dead. May 5, 2016. 14 April 2016. canoe.com. October 26, 2007.