Anthony Calvillo Inducted into Canadian Football Hall of Fame
March 22, 2017 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Montreal Alouettes News Release
Montreal - Anthony Calvillo, the former star-quarterback who rewrote the CFL's record books during his sixteen seasons with the Alouettes, will be inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. The class of 2017 was unveiled during a gala in Regina, SK on Wednesday evening and Calvillo's name was at the top of the list. This marked Calvillo's first year of eligibility to be inducted.
The longtime face of the franchise and five-time CFL All-Star was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player on three separate occasions over the course of his career and holds league records of 79,816 passing yards, 455 touchdown passes, 5,892 completions and 9,437 pass attempts.
"It is a tremendous honour for me to receive such a recognition and to join other great players, who have left their imprint on our sport", declared Calvillo. "Today, I am receiving an individual accolade, but this would not have been possible without the support of many people, including my teammates throughout the seasons, my coaches, my general managers and our owner, Bob Wetenhall, as well as my family, which has always stood by me during the good and the bad times".
Calvillo broke into the CFL with the Las Vegas Posse in 1994 and spent the following three seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before rising to stardom as a member of the Montreal Alouettes in 1998. Serving as quarterback Tracy Ham's understudy for two seasons, Calvillo took over as the starting pivot in 2000 on his way to winning three Grey Cups with Montreal in 2002, 2009, and 2010. He was also named the 2002 Grey Cup's Most Outstanding Player.
"We cannot think of a more deserving person to receive this recognition," said Alouettes Lead Governor Andrew Wetenhall. "Anthony has represented the team, the organization and the city with extraordinary class, all while rewriting the CFL and pro football's record books. It is fitting that a man with such high personal character receive a first ballot selection. Félicitations à toi Anthony."
Calvillo, who was presented with the Key to the City at the end of the 2011 season, led the Alouettes to eight Grey Cup tilts and owns several championship records for most pass completions (179), passing yards (2,470) and touchdown passes thrown (9).
The veteran pivot became pro football's all-time passing leader in spectacular fashion at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium against the Toronto Argonauts on October 10, 2011, following a 50-yard touchdown strike to Jamel Richardson.
In 2012, Calvillo became the first quarterback in league history to reach the 5,000-plus passing yards mark seven times over his brilliant career. He also threw for over 300 yards in eight straight games, breaking Doug Flutie's single-season CFL record of seven, set in 1991 with the B.C. Lions. That season, Calvillo deservingly earned his tenth nomination as the team's Most Outstanding Player.
Calvillo, who is currently the Alouettes quarterbacks coach, lives in Montreal with his wife Alexia and their daughters Olivia and Athena.
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