From CFL To Alberta Lieutenant Governor

The CFL lost a legend both on and off the field and it’ll take some doing to replace the man known as the “China Clipper”.

Being a small 5-foot 9, 190-pound, he proved he could play and was the first Chinese Canadian to play in the CFL.

He went on to become a front office manager and part-owner of his home-town Calgary Flames and was fortunate enough to serve as the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.

To anyone who happened to meet or talk to him, they came away with the same thought and quite often mentioned “he was extremely friendly and made you feel important and welcome all the time.”

He had a solid 13-year football career with the Edmonton Eskimos and the Calgary Stampeders and quite often referred to himself as “The Living Legend.”

At the young age of 18, while playing with the Stampeders he (Kwong) was the youngest player to win the Grey Cup Trophy.

It’s reported that he liked to tell the story about how, after he had fumbled the ball on his first carry three successive games in 1952, his coach taped a football to his arm and made him wear it around for a week.

Wally Buono the BC Lions GM & VP, Football Ops and Head Coach – Alt Governor was hired during his time with the football club, which saw 11 consecutive winning seasons and three Grey Cups.

Buono stated “We have lost a legend, but we are better for having had the opportunity to have him part of our CFL family.”

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley stated “Mr. Kwong was proud to be the son of Chinese immigrants. He was an Alberta success story from an early age. From his storied career in the Canadian Football League to his later co-ownership of the Calgary Flames, he was a champion on the field of play and in life.”

Entering the game he found himself trailing Bombers Gerry James by only 149 yards entering the final regular season game of the season, but he simply refused to give up.

The fans saw the infamous # 95 rush for 192 yards smashing the record for yards in a single game, most carries in a season and most rushing attempts in a single game.

It was made official and he set the new season rushing mark at 1,250 yards that season.

Kwong continued his exceptional play during the 1955 Grey Cup against the Montreal Alouette’s (played in Vancouver) setting records with his 30 carries and 145 yards rushing.

The Eskimos, with Kwong and Johnny Bright as running backs; with Jackie Parker and former Alberta Premier Don Getty, at QB went on to win that Grey Cup.

This was followed by an additional on the following season, stringing together three consecutive championships between 1954 and 1956.

When he retired in 1960, he held 30 CFL records and two Schenley Awards as the league’s outstanding Canadian.

In 1955 he was voted Canada’s athlete of the year, beating teammate Jackie Parker and hockey legend Rocket Richard, which now includes Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe.

He rushed for 9,022 yards in his career, the third-highest total in CFL history, won four Grey Cups and gained 1,000 yards a season five times. He was selected all-Canadian five times and voted to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1969.

His 192 yards rushing in a single game for Edmonton stood for 45 years until it was

After retiring as a player in 1960, Kwong gained weight but still kept the squat, muscular look of his playing days. He established a successful career in real estate and became part-owner and director of the National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames until he sold his interest in 1994.

In 1988 Kwong became president and general manager of his former football squad, the Stampeders. Many credited him with turning around the fortunes of the near-bankrupt franchise at the gate and on the field.

He stepped down four years later but continued to serve as national chairman of the Canadian Consultative Council on Multiculturalism as well as the honorary chairman of Calgary’s Easter Seal Campaign.

He was appointed the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta in 2005 and served until 2010 and at the young age of 69, he was awarded the Order of Canada in 1998.

He is survived by his wife Mary, four sons and 10 grandchildren.

Our thought to his Family!!