The CFL has released the fifth collection of ‘On Demand’ Portal games showcasing Grey Cup games from 1990 onwards.
Now that the Grey Cup Portal has opened up the 1990’s, this covers a run of games from the 78th Grey Cup (1990) up to the 87th Grey Cup (1999).
This follows on from the first wave covering 1946-1959 here, the second wave covering 1960-1969 here. Along side the third selection of games covering 1970-1979 here, and fourth collection 1980-1989 here.
The 1990’s Grey Cup Portal Games
Looking back at the 1990’s Grey Cup games could be quite confusing for a newcomer to the games history. Particularly as this period encompasses the failed US expansion experiment. Which started with the Sacramento Gold Miners joining the CFL in 1993.
Which explains why the now defunct team the Baltimore Stallions appeared in two Grey Cup games during this decade. The Stallions would go 27-9 over their two seasons in the league. Leading to a 1-1 Grey Cup record. Ultimatley becoming the only US based team ever to win the grand old trophy.
The Stallions went 15-3 in their 1995 season, and were followed by back to back Toronto Argonauts fifteen win teams. Picking up back to back championships in 1996 and 1997. In fact the Argos made three Grey Cup appearances in the Nineties and won them all.
Calgary would turn out in the Grey Cup the most times in the 1990s. They appeared five times finishing with a 2-3 record in the title games. Winnipeg and Edmonton made three appearances each and both finished 1-2. Saskatchewan made one appearance and were rolled over by Toronto.
BC also made one appearance and won against Baltimore. In a game that was arguably the most emotionally charged Grey Cup game of the decade. Hamilton made two appearances losing the Grey Cup in 1998 & winning in 1999. This was their last Grey Cup win and they have the longest active title drought in the CFL following Winnipeg breaking theirs in 2019.
Teams came, went and moved in the 1990’s
There are some anomalies in this decade. Like Baltimore making the Grey Cup twice during the US expansion.
But there are others too. For instance the alignment of the teams moved a bit and this affected Winnipeg more than anyone. From 1990-1994 they were in the East Division for the sake of balance. So they would represent the East in the 1990, 1992 & 1993 Grey Cup games. Had they been back to the game it would have been from the North (all Canadian) Division in 1995, West in 1996, or East again from 1997-1999!
Winnipeg were in the West for one year because the bulk of the Stallions players and personnel had moved north to resurrect the Montreal Alouettes. However, the Ottawa Rough Riders folded and the Blue Bombers were on the move again!
Of the current CFL cities, only Ottawa and Montreal failed to make a Grey Cup game in the 1990s.
Where to start
If you are a fan of the CFL, or of any of the teams involved here, then it is easy to know which games to watch first.
If that is the not case, then I would suggest a great place to start might be the 82nd Grey Cup in 1994. The BC Lions defeated the Baltimore Stallions 26-23 becoming the first team to win the Grey Cup in their own stadium since 1977. It was a back and forth contest won by a walk off Field Goal from legenday kicker Lui Passaglia.
Another good one to start with might be the 84th Grey Cup in 1996 as the Toronto Argonauts outlasted Edmonton 43-37. This one was full of big plays, controversy and snow flurries falling during the game. Wonderful. Plus you get to see the only multiple 6,000 yard passer Doug Flutie in action.
The 1990s Grey Cup games represent a fun era of CFL games – do go and take a look. The 2000-2009 Grey Cup games are next up from the CFL. They are due to be released on April the 8th.
Banner Image: BC players celebrate winning in 1994. Image from bcsportshall.com