George Reed dead at 83

George Reed, one of the CFL’s all-time greats, has died according to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The organization announced the former running back passed away on Sunday — a day before his 84th birthday.

Widely regarded as one of the CFL’s greatest rushers, Reed retired as the game’s all-time leading rusher with 16,116 rushing yards and 134 career rushing touchdowns.

Reed spent all 13 seasons (1963-75) of his career as a member of the Riders and on Oct. 24, 1976, the team retired his jersey ensuring no one would wear #34 for the Green and White again.

“It was my dad’s immense honour to be part of the Saskatchewan community and to call it home for so many years,” Georgette Reed, George’s daughter, said in a statement. “Sixty years ago, he received an offer to move to Regina to play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and in accepting that offer it changed our lives for the better. Playing for the Roughriders was one of my dad’s greatest joys and we will never forget the love he and our entire family received from the people here until the very end.

“I know my dad’s legacy will live on in the hearts of Rider Nation, as well as our own. We will all miss him so very much.” 

Prior to coming to the CFL, Reed played his college football with the Washington State Cougars from 1959-62.

The Vicksburg, Miss., product had CFL-record 11 1,000-plus-yards seasons during his career. His list if accolades is lengthy, being nine-time CFL all-star, a 10-time CFL West Division all-star and played in five consecutive all-star games.

After rushing for a franchise-record 1,768 yards in 1965, Reed was named the CFL Most Outstanding Player — then called the Schenley Award. He was the runner-up for the honour in 1968 and 1969.  

But the one accomplishment that Rider fans cherish is how Reed helped the team win its first ever Grey Cup Championship, rushing for 133 yards and a touchdown.

“In George Reed, the Roughriders had a legend in its midst, a role model and an example of what it meant to be a true professional,” Riders general manager Jeremy O’Day said in a release. “To be able to spend time with George throughout my time in Saskatchewan was a blessing and provided me, as well as our staff, players and coaches a great source of inspiration. There will never be another #34.” 

Reed was also a titan off the field as well in the CFL, being presented with the Tom Pate Memorial Award (for outstanding sportsmanship, a contribution to his team, his community, and to the Players’ Association) in 1976 and was named to the Order of Canada in 1978.

“George Reed was a giant in life, not only for the Roughriders, but in the Saskatchewan community and across the entire CFL,” said Riders president and CEO Craig Reynolds in a statement. “His strength and tenacity on the field was matched only by his compassion and dedication off of it.

“George made our province and the CFL a better place and I know I speak on behalf of all of Rider Nation when I say we will miss him deeply. It was an honour to have him in our life.”  

The star rusher changed the landscape of the league when he helped establish the CFL Player’s Association and served as its president for more than a decade.

In 1975, Reed established the George Reed Foundation and spent nearly 50 years volunteering in the areas of education, continuous learning, healthy living as well as with individuals with disabilities. 

A stretch of road outside of Mosaic Stadium was renamed George Reed Way in 2019. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)

He was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1979, the State of Washington Hall of Fame in 1983, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Plaza of Honour in 1987. A stretch of road that runs along the north end of Mosaic Stadium was renamed George Reed Way in 2019.

“It is remarkable that George played 13 years in the Canadian Football League, an eternity in professional football, particularly for a running back. It is notable that he played all 203 of his games for one team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, earning the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player Award in 1965,” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a release. “​It’s impressive that, at the time of his retirement in 1975, he held career records for rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and touchdowns of any sort. it is incredible that he has continued to hold the CFL record for rushing touchdowns, 134 in total, all of this time, given all the talented players who have followed.

“​But what truly speaks to the greatness of George Reed is the hold he has continued to have on so many of us, long after he stopped playing the game he loved. It’s a hold on our hearts, which has endured year after year, decade after decade, and even generation after generation. It has had such tremendous staying power because it had far more to do with George Reed the person, than George Reed the football player.​​”His humility, kindness and devotion to community – the generosity with which he always responded to both people and causes – drew so many of us to him over the years, including thousands born long after he stopped scoring touchdowns. We’ll always honour his place in Canadian football history. But George Reed’s place in our hearts is what we’ll continue to cherish.”