John Forzani Explained

Birth Date:5 April 1947
Death Place:Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Occupation:football player, owner, businessman
Module:
Embed:yes
John Forzani
Team:Calgary Stampeders
Position1:Owner
Number:54
Other Title:business owner
Other Years1:1974–2014
Administrating Years1:2005–2012
Administrating Team1:Calgary Stampeders (co-owner)
Playing Years1:1971–1976
Playing Team1:Calgary Stampeders

John Forzani (April 5, 1947 – October 30,[1] 2014) was a Canadian businessman, former Canadian Football League (CFL) player, and CFL team owner. He was the chairman and co-founder of FGL Sports.

Early life

Born in Calgary, Alberta, he received a degree in business administration from Utah State University in 1971. In 1971, he joined the Calgary Stampeders as an offensive lineman and was part of the winning team of the 59th Grey Cup. He played football until 1976.[2]

Career

In 1974, he opened a 1200square feet store called Forzani's Locker Room in Calgary. In 1994, he acquired Sports Experts Inc. for $20 million becoming Canada's largest sporting goods retailer.[2]

In 2001, the Retail Council of Canada recognized Forzani's work in leading FGL Sports (then known as the Forzani Group) to outstanding business success. In recognition of this accomplishment he was presented with the Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Award.[3]

In 2005, he became a part owner of the Calgary Stampeders.[2] In June 2005, Concordia University conferred an honorary doctorate at the convocation ceremony for the John Molson School of Business, and he gave the address to the graduates.

Personal

John and two of his brothers, Joe and Tom, all played together with the Calgary Stampeders.[4] Joe and Tom also attended Utah State University.[5] Forzani died of a heart attack on October 30, 2014.[6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. I was there
  2. Web site: Live And Learn: John Forzani. Canadian Business Online. 2010-11-24.
  3. Web site: JOHN FORZANI, Chairman. Calgary Stampeders. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100824184340/http://www.stampeders.com/team/exec_committee/profile/?id=23. 2010-08-24.
  4. Web site: Late Calgary legend John Forzani's brain to be donated for research . calgarysun.com . November 4, 2014 . December 1, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141224042031/http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/11/04/late-calgary-legend-john-forzanis-brain-to-be-donated-for-research . 2014-12-24 . dead .
  5. Web site: Forzani Brothers: Successful in Business . 2014-12-01 . 2016-03-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225543/http://www.utahstateaggies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111102aad.html . dead .
  6. News: Former Calgary Stampeder John Forzani dies after heart attack in California. 2021-03-12.