Decades after Russ Jackson’s retirement, wait continues for next Canadian starting QB
Almost 50 years after retiring, Russ Jackson is still waiting for the CFL’s next Canadian-born starting quarterback.
Jackson, 80, retired in 1969 after leading the Ottawa Rough Riders to a second straight Grey Cup title and the third of his illustrious 12-year career. The Hamilton native was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and is regarded as the best Canadian-born quarterback ever to play in the CFL.
But the Canadian quarterback has been a rare sighting since. Two will start the ’17 season on CFL rosters — Calgary native Andrew Buckley with the Stampeders and Brandon Bridge of Mississauga, Ont., with the Saskatchewan Roughriders — but both are backups.
“I don’t know if we’re turning a corner or not,” Jackson said. “Let’s face it, in Calgary we know who the starting quarterback is going to be (CFL MVP Bo Levi Mitchell).