In this episode of Football History Short Stories we discuss an event caused by a spectator at a Big CFL game and it's apparent aftermath.
1957 Grey Cup Tripper
The 1957 Grey Cup was a blowout but one winner got tripped upHome ‣On This Day in Football History ‣Fun Facts about Football ‣The Canadian Brand of Football ‣1957 Grey Cup Tripper
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Tripped Up At the Cup
Fans entering the arena of football and either delaying or effecting the outcome of a play is nothing new. Generally it is such a horrible spectacle of a drunk spectator doing something stupid and that is the end of it once authorities escort the individual out of the stadium.
I came across a situation though recently on Newspapers.com of one of these interfering violators having some remorse and in his own way making amends. According to a November 25, 1972 Ottawa Citizen article the CFL’s Title Game, the 1957 Grey Cup was a one sided affair played at Toronto as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats were manhandling the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The score was 32-7 and there seemed like the Ti-Cats could not be stopped, at least not by the Bombers players. It suddenly got worse for Winnipeg when Ti-Cats defensive back Ray Bawel picked off an errant pass and started racing down the sideline for an apparent pick-six.
One fan, standing near the sideline could not take much more of what was going on. The spectator stepped out towards the field, stuck out his foot and tripped Bawel, robbing him of the opportunity to score. The “Tripper” was later found to be local attorney David Humphrey who was said to have had a few extra spirits other than the team spirit. Bawel of course was a bit miffed, as fans could see a bit of black shoe polish on his ankle from Humphrey’s trip. Final score was 32-7 Tiger-Cats as they took the Grey Cup back to Hamilton.
A few months later, according to the Citizen article the counselor must have felt a bit guilty about the incident so as the story goes he sent a $150 gold watch to Bawel with the inscription of, “From the Tripper, Grey Cup 1957.”
Bibbles Bawel latre swore he never received a watch as was claimed. In 1972 Bawel told the press that he would gladly forgive the lawyer if he would send him a watch though.
Photo Credits
The picture in the banner above is from Wikimedia Commons of Carol Lucas, Miss Grey Cup with others VPL Accession Number: 61841 Date: 1958 Photographer/Studio: Province Newspaper Olsen, Robert E. Content: Miss BC Lions, Carol Lucas was named Miss Grey Cup 1957