Jerry Keeling

It is probably an unofficial record, but surely Jerry Keeling must hold the recrod for most years waiting to become a #1 QB.  Keeling joined the Calgary Stampeders in 1961 and for eight seasons backed up two the best QBs in Stampeder history in Eagle Day and Peter Liske. In those eight seasons (1961-1968), Keelng's most pass attempts was 105 in 1965 and his least was 2 in 1967 when Liske was lighting up the West with his passing. Of course, it wasn't like Keeling was pining on the bench in those eight years.  He was one of the best defensive backs in the CFL, winning 5 straight West All-Star honours (1964-68) and three times making All-Canadian (1964, 1965 and 1967).  In this eight seasons, Keeling had at least one interception in each season and a career total of 28.  Finally, in 1969 with the defection of Peter Liske to the NFL, Keeling got his chance to be the #1 QB in Calgary.  Keeling held the #1 spot for four seasons and his first in 1969 was probably his best as he threw 411 passes, comleting 55.7% for 3179 yards.  Not bad for a defesnive back eh?  In 1973, Keeling was traded East to the Ottawa Rough Riders, largely because of the return of Peter Liske to the CFL and Calgary.  Keeling shared the QB duties with Rick Cassata in 1973, falling below 200 attempts and 2000 yards for the first time since taking over as the starter in Calgary.  In 1974, Keeling was again the undisputed #1 pivot in Ottawa, throwing 250 passes, and completing 52.0% for 1831 yards.  Ottawa wanted to get younger in 1975 and brought in two young QBs by the name of Tom Clements and Condrege Holloway.  Keeling was dealt to Hamilton after one game of the 1975 season, but finished his career with a strong 55.1% completion rate and 1851 yards in 15 games.  In 1989, Jerry Keeling was elected to the Canadain Football Hall of Fame.  His election was certainly more for his defensive accomplishments, but it is interesting to note that neither Eagle Day or Peter Liske is in that fraternity.  Jerry Keeling was one of the last of the great two-way players in CFL history.

Games Played and Passing
Year Team GP PA PC % Yds TD Int Sacked Yds
1961 CAL
74 33 44.6 399 3 3

1962 CAL
79 32 40.5 498 1 9

1963 CAL
41 25 60.9 486 6 0 0 0
1964 CAL 15 69 29 41 436 1 2 2 32
1965 CAL 16 105 48 45.7 571 4 5
31
1966 CAL 16 87 38 43.6 677 5 13 11 110
1967 CAL 16 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
1968 CAL 16 55 33 60 387 2 1 3 33
1969 CAL 16 411 229 55.7 3179 20 28 25 253
1970 CAL 13 327 161 49.2 2247 18 21 14 142
1971 CAL 12 279 163 58.4 2038 8 17 7 69
1972 CAL 16 292 157 53.7 2451 18 27 15 141
1973 OTT 13 165 86 52.1 1175 11 4 7 52
1974 OTT 16 250 130 52 1831 7 14 13 115
1975 HAM 15 263 145 55.1 1851 12 12 14 130
1975 OTT 1 11 4 36.4 82 0 1 0 0
Rushing
Year Team TC Yds Avg TD Long
1961 CAL 19 116 6.1 1 14
1962 CAL 32 211 6.6 3 39
1963 CAL 16 88 5.5 1 19
1964 CAL 17 124 7.3 1 32
1965 CAL 23 95 4.1 4 20
1966 CAL 8 34 4.3 0 32
1967 CAL 0 0 0 0 0
1968 CAL 8 41 5.1 1 11
1969 CAL 36 157 4.4 6 25
1970 CAL 19 155 8.2 1 52
1971 CAL 18 33 1.8 2 13
1972 CAL 29 136 4.7 1 18
1973 OTT 11 102 9.2 0 46
1974 OTT 21 30 1.4 0 10
1975 HAM 37 72 1.9 1 18
1975 OTT 0 0 0 0 0
Fumbles
Year Team F FL
1961 CAL 0
1962 CAL 0
1963 CAL 0
1964 CAL 0
1965 CAL 0
1966 CAL 2
1967 CAL 0
1968 CAL 0
1969 CAL 3 0
1970 CAL 2 1
1971 CAL 0 0
1972 CAL 0 0
1973 OTT 1 1
1974 OTT 2 0
1975 HAM 2 0
1975 OTT 0 0
Interceptions
Year Team Int Yds Avg TDInt Long
1961 CAL 5 6 1.2 0
1962 CAL 3 57 19 0
1963 CAL 4 28 7 0 19
1964 CAL 4 3 0.8 0 2
1965 CAL 2 32 16 0 32
1966 CAL 4 111 27.8 1 52
1967 CAL 5 40 8 0 26
1968 CAL 1 3 3 0 3
1969 CAL 0 0 0 0 0
1970 CAL 0 0 0 0 0
1971 CAL 0 0 0 0 0
1972 CAL 0 0 0 0 0
1973 OTT 0 0 0 0 0
1974 OTT 0 0 0 0 0
1975 HAM 0 0 0 0 0
1975 OTT 0 0 0 0 0
Fumble Returns
Year Team FR Yds Avg TD Long OFR FF
1961 CAL 0 0 0 0 0 0
1962 CAL 0 0 0 0 0 0
1963 CAL 1

0
0
1964 CAL 1 0 0 0 0 0
1965 CAL 0 0 0 0 0 0
1966 CAL 0 0 0 0 0 0
1967 CAL 0 0 0 0 0 0
1968 CAL 0 0 0 0 0 0
1969 CAL 0 0 0 0 0 1
1970 CAL 0 0 0 0 0 0
1971 CAL 0 0 0 0 0 1
1972 CAL 0 0 0 0 0 0
1973 OTT 0 0 0 0 0 0
1974 OTT 0 0 0 0 0 0
1975 HAM 0 0 0 0 0 3
1975 OTT 0 0 0 0 0 0
1963 OPC