As the voting for the Ticats All-Time Team presented by CHML AM 900 continues this week, fans must choose from some of the most talented players in Ticats history as they select the finalists for defensive back. While countless talented and deserving players patrolled the Black and Gold’s secondary through the years, in the end there can only be five. Visit the All-Time Tiger-Cats site to register your vote!
Paul Bennett
Bennett had a storied CFL career, playing three of his best seasons in Black and Gold. He was named Most Outstanding Canadian during that time and was runner up for Most Outstanding Defensive Player. His 246 interception return yards in 1985 are still a team record.
Al Brenner
Brenner played in 58 games for the Ticats over four seasons, being named an East Division All-Star twice. Brenner highlighted an amazing 1972 season with a team-record four interceptions against Toronto on November 5, giving him another franchise record of 15 on the season.
Less Browne
Less Browne patrolled the secondary for the Black and Gold for five seasons, appearing in 71 games. His 33 interceptions over that time helped him be inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame in 2002. His four interceptions against Montreal on August 21, 1986 are tied for a team record, and helped him lead the Ticats to a Grey Cup that season.
Eric Carter
Carter played in Hamilton for four seasons, and was recognized as an East Division All-Star during three of those. His 10 interceptions during the 1995 season helped him earn a nomination as Most Outstanding Defensive Player and helped him earn one of his two CFL All-Star nods as a Tiger-Cat.
Howard Fields
Fields is one of the longest serving defensive backs in TIcats history, playing in an impressive 133 games over eight seasons in the Hammer. The five-time East Division All-Star also earned a pair of CFL All-Star nods during a career in which he notched 30 interceptions, good enough for 8th in Tiger-Cats history. Fields also recovered 18 fumbles during his career, the second-most in team history.
Ralph Goldston
Goldston signed with the recently-formed Tiger-Cats in 1956 and would go on to become a staple in their defensive backfield. He would go on to play 116 games over nine seasons with the Black and Gold, recording 31 interceptions along the way and helping lead his team to seven Grey Cup appearances. He was named an East Division All-Star four times during his career in Hamilton.
Garney Henley
Of all the players whose names have become synonymous with football in Hamilton, Henley is one of the most prominent. A player whose ability allowed him to excel on both sides of the ball, Henley played in an amazing 216 games over 16 seasons in Hamilton. As a defensive back, Henley was named as a CFL All-Star eight times, collecting a team record 60 interceptions along the way. Henley was inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame in 1979.
Rob Hitchcock
Hitchcock arrived in 1995 and quickly made a name for himself at the safety position over the next 12 seasons. The two-time CFL All-Star would go on to become the team’s all-time leading tackler, racking up 606 tackles over 200 games as a Ticat. His 36 career interceptions are the second-most in team history.
Lewis Porter
Porter played in 97 games for the Tiger-Cats over seven seasons in Hamilton. On October 8, 1973 Porter returned an interception 119 yards, which still stands as a franchise record. His 24 career interceptions helped Porter to two CFL and East Division All-Star bids during his career in Black and Gold.
David Shaw
Shaw spent eight seasons playing with the Ticats, appearing in 106 games over that span. His stellar play in the secondary helped him to four CFL All-Star nods and cemented his place as one of the best Ticat db’s of his era. As a Tiger-Cat, Shaw recorded 23 interceptions.
Orlondo Steinauer
Despite only playing for three seasons in Hamilton, Steinauer made the most of his time in Hamilton. In 51 games the talented defensive back recorded 175 tackles and 18 interceptions, making two East Division and one CFL All-Star squads. His play helped the team to two Grey Cup appearances, winning it all in 1999.
Don Sutherin
Sutherin played 86 games for the Tiger-Cats over eight seasons, recording 35 interceptions and becoming a four-time East Division All-Star. That number stands today as the third-highest total in team history and his four-interception game during the 1961 season is still tied with two others as a team record.
Gerald Vaughn
Vaughn made up part of the vaunted Ticats secondary of the late 90’s, helping the team to a Grey Cup title in 1999. From 1997-01 Vaughn played in 68 games for the Ticats and was named a CFL and East Division All-Star two times. His 240 interception return yards in 1999 are the second-highest single season total in team history.
