Longtime CFL player Jim Furlong has died at the age of 85.
The native of Winnipeg, Man., who was raised in Lethbridge, Alta., played for the Calgary Stampeders from 1962 to 1974. He played 174 regular-season games over the course of his career at linebacker, receiver, defensive line, and punter.
“Jim was a stalwart of the Stampeders in the 1960s and 1970s and the Stampeders will forever be grateful for his contributions to the organization,” said team president Jay McNeil in a statement. “We offer our deepest condolences to Jim’s family and friends.”
The University of Tulsa product was named All-West Division in 1965 and won a Grey Cup in 1971. Furlong punted 707 times for 28,898 yards and recorded 15 interceptions. Tackles were not recorded as an official statistic during his career.
After his retirement, Furlong moved to Vernon, B.C. where he served as a high school teacher and minor football coach. His sons Sean and Craig both played collegiately at the University of Calgary, the former of whom was drafted by the Stampeders in 1990.
The Calgary Stampeders finished third in the West Division standings in 2025 with an 11-7 record but lost the West Semi-Final to the B.C. Lions. Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 4,247 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions over 17 regular-season starts, posting a 11-6 record.
The Stampeders ranked fourth in net offence, seventh in net defence, and second with a turnover differential of plus-nine. Dedrick Mills won the CFL’s rushing title with 1,409 yards, while the team’s leading receiver was Dominique Rhymes with 886 yards, and leading tackler was Jacob Roberts with 102 tackles. Calgary finished fifth in attendance with average crowds of 22,295, which was a 3.5 percent increase from the previous year.
