Harry Abofs

Harry Abofs started his career with the Toronto Argos in 1971.  He had a decent rookie season as a Canadian fullback, but unfortunately he is probably best remembered for a play in the 1971 Grey Cup.  The Argos had just given up the ball on the famous Leon McQuay fumble deep in the Calgary end.  At the very least, Toronto should have scored a field goal which would have tied th game as the Stamps led 14-11.  The Argo defense stopped Calgary on a two and out and forced them to punt.  Abofs was the punt returner and in trying to field the ball, accidentally kicked it out of bounds.  Under the rules, that returned the ball to Calgary who ran out the clock for the win.  Abofs later played for Edmonton, BC and Hamilton.  In Edmonton he was converted to defense and had three interceptions in 1973.

Harry Aboffs passed away in 1993 [a second source places his datge of death as May 14, 2006. If anyone has more definite information such as an obituary, please see the contact information above.']

1971 Grey Cup - YouTube

An Account of the 1971 Grey Cup and Abof's Role

Games Played and Rushing
Year Team GP TC Yds Avg TD Long
1971 TOR 14 22 106 4.8 1 26
1972 EDM 7 0 0 0 0 0
1972 TOR 6 0 0 0 0 0
1973 BC 1 0 0 0 0 0
1973 EDM 8 0 0 0 0 0
1974 HAM 9 0 0 0 0 0
Receiving
Year Team Rec Yds Avg TD Long
1971 TOR 10 67 6.7 1 34
1972 EDM 1 4 4 0 4
1972 TOR 0 0 0 0 0
1973 BC 0 0 0 0 0
1973 EDM 0 0 0 0 0
1974 HAM 0 0 0 0 0
Kickoff Returns
Year Team KOR Yds Avg TD Long
1971 TOR 4 71 17.8 0 25
1972 EDM 8 152 19 0 23
1972 TOR 0 0 0 0 0
1973 BC 3 58 19.3 0 24
1973 EDM 0 0 0 0 0
1974 HAM 0 0 0 0 0
Punt Returns
Year Team PR Yds Avg TD Long
1971 TOR 57 227 4 0 15
1972 EDM 0 0 0 0 0
1972 TOR 0 0 0 0 0
1973 BC 1 0 0 0 0
1973 EDM 0 0 0 0 0
1974 HAM 31 108 3.5 0 13
Interceptions
Year Team Int Yds Avg TDInt Long
1971 TOR 0 0 0 0 0
1972 EDM 0 0 0 0 0
1972 TOR 0 0 0 0 0
1973 BC 0 0 0 0 0
1973 EDM 3 37 12.3 0 25
1974 HAM 0 0 0 0 0
Fumble Recoveries
Year Team FR Yds Avg TD Long OFR FF
1971 TOR 0 0 0 0 0 0
1972 EDM 0 0 0 0 0 0
1972 TOR 0 0 0 0 0 0
1973 BC 0 0 0 0 0 0
1973 EDM 1 0 0 0 0 0
1974 HAM 3 7 2.3 0 7 0
Fumbles
Year Team F FL
1971 TOR 1 1
1972 EDM 0 0
1972 TOR 0 0
1973 BC 0 0
1973 EDM 1 1
1974 HAM 2 1