CFL Calgary Stampeders

Earl Lunsford Passes Away

Published on September 4, 2008 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Calgary Stampeders News Release


The Calgary Stampeders are saddened by the loss of Earl Lunsford. He passed away Wednesday in his home at Fort Worth, Texas at the age of 74.

Affectionately known as Earthquake, Lunsford joined the Stamps as a fullback in 1956. He spent just one season in Calgary before serving two years in the United States military. He rejoined the Stamps in 1959 until 1963 and became a football legend.

During six seasons, Lunsford was so dominant that he earned a place in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. His 6,994 rushing yards still rank second on Calgary's all-time list, his 1,199 carries rank third and no one has surpassed his 55 rushing touchdowns.

Lunsford's best season came in 1961 when he led the Canadian Football League with 1,794 rushing yards and became known as "the first pro football player to run for a mile."

It was a CFL record at the time and still is the second-highest single-season total in Stamps history. He had five 1,000-yard rushing seasons, including four in a row.

Lunsford scored a franchise-record five touchdowns in a game against Edmonton on Sept. 3, 1962 and he twice rushed for 200 yards in a game. He also had a team-record 28 100-yard games. Lunsford was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

As respected as Lunsford was on the football field, he was held in equal esteem as a person. A number of people who knew Lunsford described him Thursday as a man of honesty and integrity.

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