The 2016 season marks the 40th anniversary of Ottawa’s last Grey Cup victory. In 1976, the Ottawa Rough Riders defeated Saskatchewan 23-20 with a last minute touchdown by Tony Gabriel. He hauled in a 24-yard pass from Tom Clements in the end zone, a play that’s simply remembers as “The Catch” in CFL lore … legend, really.
Gabriel and his teammates from the 76 team will be celebrating their anniversary here in Ottawa prior to the REDBLACKS game on Sunday July 31 and everybody going to the game is invited to join them. A ’76 Grey Cup party is being held in the Arena at TD Place starting at 4:30 PM complete with a live Blues Brothers cover band, lots of food and drink and the Grey Cup itself.
The band, Sweet Home Chicago, is a 9-piece, high-energy tribute to Jake and Elwood and they’re coming to party like it’s 1976! They’ve got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes and a couple of hours to party with you and the Riders before game time. Show time is 4:30 – 6:30 in the arena.
Aside from “The Catch” there were some incredible plays in the ’76 Grey Cup. Bill Hatanaka ran back a punt 79 yards for a TD. Gerry Organ faked a punt and ran the ball 52 yards to get the Riders out of trouble and deep into Saskatchewan territory. Organ also had 3 FG’s and a convert in the game. Hatanaka, Gabriel and Organ will all be on-hand for the party and MC Mike Sutherland will interview them live so they can tell you their stories first hand.
Members of the team will be available for photographs, autographs and any other graphs you can think of. Your ticket to the game is also a ticket to the party so make sure you come early and head down to the Arena at TD Place starting at 4:30 and running ‘till the REDBLACKS are on the field for their warm-ups at 6:30.
You’ll want to be in your seats well before the scheduled 7:30 kickoff. An historic announcement is going to be made on the field with the REDBLACKS ownership group, the ’76 Riders and other special guests in attendance. Will there be fireworks after the announcement is made? Oh ya. Many booms followed by REDBLACKS fireworks as they take on the Argos.
As additional incentive to have a great time, beer and wine will be specially priced at only $6 during the tailgate party!
This exclusive tailgate party is ONLY open to game ticket holders. Score your seats now for this memorable night of CFL football by clicking here, calling 613-232-6767 x1, or in person at the TD Place Box Office.
1976 Rough Riders players in attendance on Sunday:
Wayne Tosh, Gary Kuzyk, Peter Stenerson, John Foubert, Peter Crepin, Donn Smith, Jim Foley, Jeff Avery, Marv Allemang, Gerry Organ, Bill Robinson, Tony Gabriel, Paul Moses, Moody Jackson, Doug Falconer, Jeff Turcotte, Jim Piaskoski, Bill Hatanaka, Mark Kosmos, Brian Hedges, Mike Raines, Ken Moore and Art Green.
