Paul Rowe (2000)

Paul Rowe came out of Victoria as an all-around, outstanding athlete to become one of the greatest stars for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He captained the team to its first ever Grey Cup title in 1948. Paul is considered one of the best, most bruising, driving fullbacks in CFL history. He is a member of the CFL Hall of Fame and BC and Canadian Sports Halls of Fame. Paul was a five-time Western Conference all-star and two-time Dryburgh Award winner as the conference's leading scorer. A track ace for Archie McKinnon's famed Flying "Y" Club, Rowe had set city school records and was a gifted boxer. As a teen his prowess on the rugby pitch was such that he made the Crimson Tide, the Island rep side, when they competed against the New Zealand All Blacks. His talent earned him a scholarship in 1937 to play football for the University of Oregon Ducks. By his sophomore season, he had made All-American honourable mention and immediately turned pro with the Calgary Broncs of the Western Football League.