Ottawa Redblacks

1973 Grey Cup MVP Charlie Brandon passes away at age 79

by
3Down Staff
August 14, 2022

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Former Ottawa Rough Rider Charlie Brandon passed away last Tuesday at the age of 79.

A native of Wake County, North Carolina, Brandon’s first CFL experience came in one game with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1967. The graduate of Shaw University spent the next several seasons playing in the Continental Football League, before returning north to join the Rough Riders in 1972.

Over the course of his seven-year career, Brandon was part of Ottawa’s iconic “Capital Punishment” defence. His best game came in the 1973 Grey Cup when he was named Most Valuable Player, as the Rough Riders toppled Edmonton by a score of 22-18.

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Brandon took home another championship ring with the team in 1976 and would switch over to the offensive side of the ball late in his career. He was named an East Division All-Star at offensive guard in 1978, his final CFL season.

After retiring from football, Brandon went on to have a long career as a teacher and coach in Virginia’s Norfolk County School System.