TORONTO — Larry Smith has pretty much seen and done it all in the CFL.
The 71-year-old Hudson, Que., native has been a player (1972-81, Montreal Alouettes), team executive (Alouettes president 1997-01, 2004-10) and served as CFL commissioner (1992-97). He spearheaded the league's foray into the U.S. during one of its most tumultuous stretches.
On Thursday, Smith was named for induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a builder.
"It's something as a player … as an administrator I never really though too much about," Smith said. "As a player, I played with great individuals and having had a coach like Marv Levy was not only an honour but a tremendous growing experience because you learned a lot about human dynamics.
"If I looked into my time as commissioner, I'm very proud of the fact I knew when I went in that this was going to be a tough ride, I knew the league was in major, major difficulty so I was prepared for taking a lot of shots, which I did. It (expansion) was one of those situations where it didn't end the way we wanted but it gave some good news to the CFL."
The '23 class includes linebacker Solomon Elimimian, defensive lineman John Bowman, defensive back Larry Crawford and Canadian offensive linemen Josh Bourke and Lloyd Fairbanks. Jacques Dussault was also named as a builder.
All will be formally inducted Sept. 15.
Chris Schultz, a former Toronto Argonauts offensive lineman and TSN broadcaster, will be posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame's media wing on Nov. 19 with sportswriter Vicki Hall and TSN producer Jon Hynes.
Schultz died from a heart attack in 2021.
Smith was the first player taken in the '72 CFL draft out of Bishop's. The running back was part of two Grey Cup-winning teams (1974, '77) under Levy, who joins the late Bud Grant and quarterback Warren Moon as the only individuals enshrined in both the Canadian and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He is best remembered for leading the CFL's American expansion. Between 1993 and '95, the league had franchises in Sacramento, Las Vegas, San Antonio, Shreveport, Birmingham, Memphis and Baltimore before reverting back to its all-Canadian format in 1996.
Smith said the fees generated through American expansion — he estimated at between US$15 and US$18 million — were crucial for the cash-strapped league. In 1996, the CFL didn't have enough money to pay Edmonton and Toronto players in the Grey Cup game but fortunately, Tim Hortons provided much-needed funds that ensured the players’ cheques would clear.
Smith also dealt with several ownership issues during his tenure as well as the Ottawa Rough Riders folding after the '96 season.
However, Smith oversaw the relocation of Baltimore to Montreal in 1996. He resigned as commissioner in 1997 and became Alouettes president.
"I'm glad I was there because I'll tell you the truth," Smith said. "I'm not arrogant because I'm a team player but I always felt if I hadn't got that job as commissioner when they were talking about some of the people that could be commissioner, it would be a lot worse.
"I felt I could do the job because I had more energy and maybe a little bit more savvy than some of the other guys that were looking to be commissioner of the CFL."
Smith, currently a member of Canada’s Senate, was instrumental in the Alouettes securing a foothold within Montreal's francophone community. He became the face of the franchise, making over 200 appearances annually throughout Quebec promoting the club's brand as its top executive.
"It was a lot of fun having the opportunity to work with Bob Wetenhall," Smith said of the Alouettes Hall of Fame owner who died in 2021. "I was very respectful of Bob all the way through and I was really honoured to be able to work with a man of his integrity and quality.
"I always say Bob Wetenhall and David Braley saved the CFL at that moment (1997) … it really set the tone for the future of the CFL."
Braley, who died in 2020, owned Hamilton (1987-90), B.C. (1997-2020) and Toronto (2010-15). He went into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
Elimimian appeared in 133 career games with B.C. and Saskatchewan (2010-2019). In 2014, he became the only defensive player to be named the CFL's outstanding performer after registering a then-record 143 tackles (he had 144 in '17).
Elimimian, a four-time CFL all-star, was the league's top rookie in 2010 and twice its outstanding defensive player (2014, '16). The 2011 Grey Cup champion with B.C. is currently president of the CFL Players' Association.
Ironically, Eimimian's historic 2014 campaign came after being told by then head coach Wally Buono the club was looking at trading him.
"I finished '13 as a West all-star but I missed the last playoff game due to a hamstring injury and there was concern about me not being able to stay healthy," Elimimian said. "Ultimately they made the decision to work with me another year and coach Benevides (then defensive co-ordinator Mike Benevides) had a lot to do with me staying on the club.
"I was able to do something that was never done before but that off-season was tough, there were many challenges. But maybe I needed those challenges because in my mind I was going to prove myself right. I had a lot riding on that year, not just my standing with the B.C. Lions but with my career."
Bowman spent his entire 14-year career with Montreal (2006-19), registering 134 sacks (seventh all-time) in 230 regular-season games. Twice he led the league in sacks, including 2015 when he had a career-high 19.
Bowman helped Montreal win consecutive Grey Cups (2009-10) and is currently B.C.'s defensive line coach.
"I wasn't the fastest, I wasn't the strongest, I wasn't the most athletically gifted," Bowman said. "My biggest skill was I was a worker … and that made me relentless on the field because I didn't care who was better than me, I was going to out-work them for 60 minutes.
"When I tell people I was an average man's player, (they can relate) because people can recognize work."
Bourke, of Windsor, Ont., played 151 career games with Montreal (2007-15) and Toronto (2016). A seven-time East all-star, Bourke was the league's top lineman in 2011 and helped the Alouettes win two Grey Cups (2009-10).
Fairbanks, of Raymond, Alta., spent 17 seasons with Calgary (1975-82, 89-91), the Montreal Concordes (1983-85), Montreal Alouettes (1986) and Hamilton (1987-88). Seven times he was division all-star.
Fairbanks appeared in 257 career CFL games, missing just 10 contests over his final 14 seasons.
Crawford spent his pro career with B.C. (1981-'89) and Toronto (1989), winning a Grey Cup with the Lions in 1985. A four-time league all-star, Crawford excelled both as a defensive back (52 interceptions) and returner (4,159 punt-return yards).
He had a CFL-high 12 interceptions in 1983 (fourth in CFL history). Crawford's son, J.P., plays for the Seattle Mariners.
Dussault's football involvement has come as a player (University of Ottawa and McGill), coach (high school, Montreal Concordes and Montreal Alouettes, World League of Football and Canadian university at Acadia, Mount Allison and Montreal) and broadcaster (radio, television). The 72-year-old has also coached in the U.S. and France.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 15, 2023.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press