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Ottawa Redblacks win CFL Grey Cup over Calgary Stampeders in OT

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Henry Burris (1) throws a pass during the second quarter in the 104th Grey Cup game against the Calgary Stampeders at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Henry Burris (1) throws a pass during the second quarter in the 104th Grey Cup game against the Calgary Stampeders at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Ottawa Redblacks won the 104th CFL Grey Cup in a thrilling overtime victory against the Calgary Stampeders. Here is the game recap.

In the 104th CFL Grey Cup, the Ottawa Redblacks won their first championship since the Canadian Football League returned to Ottawa, defeating the Calgary Stampeders in a thrilling title game.

It took an extra period to decide the 2016 championship CFL game, but the Redblacks (9-9-1) emerged victorious over the Stampeders (15-2-1) in overtime, 39-33. It was a disappointing end to a dominant season for Calgary, who entered the game as 9.5-point favorites.

Playing in their second straight CFL Grey Cup, the Redblacks were led by 41-year-old quarterback Henry Burris, who took home Grey Cup MVP honors behind his 461 yards, three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns.

He became the oldest quarterback to ever win a Grey Cup, making it two Grey Cups for his career. Burris was questionable heading into the game due to a knee injury he suffered in warmups. Luckily for the Redblacks, he was able to play and lead his team to victory.

It may have been the perfect sendoff to his 17-year career, in what may have been his final CFL game.

The Stampeders were led by the CFL’s regular season Most Outstanding Player, quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell. Mitchell finished the game with 391 yards on 28-of-38 passing with two touchdowns. Unfortunately, he also threw three interceptions.

In the biggest upset in CFL Grey Cup history, the Redblacks led by as many as 20 before Calgary completed a furious comeback, tying the game at 33 on a field goal with 10 seconds remaining.

Thanks to Ernest Jackson’s bobbling catch in overtime, the Redblacks were able to avoid completely squandering their 20-point lead, bringing the city of Ottawa its first professional football championship in 40 years.

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As recently as 2014, the Redblacks went 2-14 in an expansion season. In 2015, they lost in the Grey Cup. By 2016, they were hoisting the trophy for the first time since 1976. Quite a remarkable three-year turnaround!

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