Photo edit: 3DownNation
Longtime CFL player and coach David Easley has died at the age of 78.
The native of Vancouver, B.C. played 115 regular-season CFL games at defensive back over eight seasons with the B.C. Lions, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Edmonton Football Team, recording 15 interceptions and four fumble recoveries. He was named the Most Outstanding Rookie in the West Division as a member of the Lions in 1969.
The CFL didn’t officially track tackles or sacks during the time of Easley’s playing career.
Easley then had a 28-year coaching career that included a five-year stint at the University of British Columbia, where he won a Vanier Cup in 1986. He later coached with the Toronto Argonauts, B.C. Lions, Montreal Alouettes, Ottawa Renegades, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, winning Grey Cups with Toronto (1991) and B.C. (1994).
“Dave was a great homegrown football player and valuable member of our organization in each role that he served,” wrote the team in a statement to 3DownNation. “Our 1994 Grey Cup championship is memorable for many reasons, including some big moments on special teams, which was his role on the staff. Our thoughts go out to his loved ones at this time.”
The B.C. Lions (9-7) will host the Edmonton Elks (7-9) at BC Place Stadium on Friday, October 17 with kickoff slated for 10:30 p.m. EDT. The Elks are coming off a win over the Blue Bombers that kept their playoff hopes alive, while the Lions were on a bye week.
The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on 880 CHED in Edmonton and 730 CKNW in Vancouver.