When word spread that Less Browne and Don Sutherin were being put on the Ticats Wall Of Honour, people in TigerTown were outraged. How did it take this long to recognize two of the Cats all-time greats?
On Thursday night at at Michelangelo Banquet Hall, Browne and Sutherin will get their due, in front of fans, friends, and current members of the Ticats organization in an evening that will be a complete celebration of two storied careers.
Browne, 48, played defensive back at Colorado State University before signing on with the Ticats in 1984 as a free agent. He went on to play in TigerTown for five seasons, including two stellar years in 1985 and 1986, that saw him earn All-Eastern and CFL All-Star awards.
Browne holds the all-time records for interceptions in the regular season with 87 (which is 21 more than any other CFL player), and most interception return yards all-time in the regular season (1,508). He had the second most picks in a season (14), and is tied with his fellow Wall of Honour Inductee, Sutherin, with four interceptions in a single game, the second most in the league’s history.
Sutherin, 72, played eight seasons with the Ticats (1958, 1960-66) as a defensive back and kicker, and was named an All-Eastern Defensive Back four times and an All-Canadian twice while winning two Grey Cups. Sutherin currently sits fifth all-time in Ticats career scoring (450 points) and also kicked the fourth most field goals in Ticats history (75). Sutherin also spent nine seasons with the team’s coaching staff as a head coach and a defensive coordinator.
Thursday’s dinner includes an extravagant meal, a silent auction and a chance to rub elbows with a variety of faces from the Ticats past, present, and future. For only $85, fans receive all of that, and get to enjoy the benefits of an open bar.
With a few days left, they’re are still a limited number of seats available, and tickets can be purchased at the Ticats business office (1 Jarvis Street), United Trophy Manufacturing (99 Cannon Street East), R & R Trophies (4155 Fairview Street, Burlington). Funds raised through the event will go to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Alumni Association and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Hamilton.
