Renegades to honor Frank Clair
June 28, 2005 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa Renegades News Release
OTTAWA - The Ottawa Renegades Football Club will help salute the late Frank Clair at the team's home opener on Friday night, July 1st, when the team hosts the Montreal Alouettes at the stadium named in memory of the late former Ottawa head coach who still remains one of the most prolific and successful bench bosses in the history of professional football in the nation's capital.
Clair, nicknamed âThe Professor' for his ability to recognize and develop talent, passed away over the off-season (April 3, 2005) at the age of 87. Clair was the architect of the powerhouse Ottawa Rough Riders of the 1960s and 1970s, which captured Grey Cup championships in 1960, 1968 and 1969 as a head coach. During his stint as general manager, the team won titles in 1973 and 1976 - the latter being five years before he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
The Ottawa CFL Alumni and Renegades Football Club will formally recognize and honour Clair, as part of the memorial tribute day, prior to kickoff on Friday (6 p.m.). Renegades players will be wearing a sticker with "FC" inscribed on the back of their helmets in honour of Clair.
"We are honoured to have the opportunity to salute a man like Frank Clair for the memorial tribute game on Canada Day," said Renegades president Lonie Glieberman. "Frank Clair has meant so much to this city's football tradition and success. To be able to have legends salute him during our ceremonies will make the event quite memorable."
A 90-minute pre-game reception, hosted by the Ottawa CFL Alumni, will begin at 4 p.m. inside Assembly Hall of the Ottawa Civic Centre (Lansdowne Park). An on-field ceremony is scheduled to get underway at 5:30 p.m. on the field, where a number of players who played for Clair will be introduced for a ceremony in memory of the legendary coach and club executive. Members of the Clair family, including Frank's wife, Pat; daughter, Robin; and grandson, Christopher will be in attendance. Among the guests of honour expected to be on hand will be Glieberman, Ottawa mayor Bob Chiarelli, a representative from the CFL head office as well as hall of fame Ottawa quarterback Russ Jackson, who will say a few words in memory of Clair.
"This is an opportunity to honour a legend and one of the most prolific people to be involved in football in the nation's capital," said Jack Jordan, of the Ottawa CFL Alumni and CEO of Football Canada. "We are looking forward to what will be a very special day."
Canadian Football League Stories from June 28, 2005
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- Renegades to honor Frank Clair - Ottawa Renegades
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- Rogers CFL announces weekly awards - CFL
- 'Renegades Vibe' television show set to launch July 4 - Ottawa Renegades
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