- Earl Lunsford
Infobox CFL player
Name=Earl Lunsford
ImageWidth=
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import=
position1=Running back
number=
College=Oklahoma State University
DateOfBirth=Birth date|1933|10|19
Birthplace=Stillwater, Oklahoma
DateOfDeath=Death date and age|2008|09|3|1933|10|19
Deathplace=Fort Worth, Texas
Height_ft=
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NFLDraftedYear=1956
NFLDraftedRound=26
NFLDraftedPick=305
NFLDraftedTeam=Philadelphia Eagles
administrating_years=1968–1982
1985–1987
administrating_teams=Winnipeg Blue Bombers Calgary Stampeders
playing_years=1956, 1959–1963
playing_teams=Calgary Stampeders
career_highlights=
CFLAllStar=1961
Awards=
Honors=
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CFHOF=24&player=Lunsford,%20EarlEarl Lunsford (
October 19 ,1933 –September 3 ,2008 ), known as the "Earthquake", was a fullback for theCalgary Stampeders and is a member of theCanadian Football Hall of Fame .He played his college football with
Oklahoma State University and began his six year career in theCanadian Football League in 1956. His time in Calgary was interrupted for 2 seasons while he served in the United States military. He played 5 more seasons for the Stamps, from 1959 to 1963.In his career he rushed 1199 times for 6994 yards, a 5.8 yard average, and 55 touchdowns, with his longest run being 85 yards. He is the Stampeders all-time rushing leader with 55 touchdowns and 28 100-yard games and is second amongst Stampeders for all-time rushing yards. He rushed for 1000 yards 5 times, leading the West Division with 1,343 yards in 1960. In his best season, 1961, he rushed for 1,794 yards, which made him known as the first running back in professional sports to rush for a mile in one season.cite news|url=http://calsun.canoe.ca/Sports/Football/2008/09/05/6667396-sun.html|title=Earthquake shook up CFL|last=Sportak|first=Randy|date=2008-09-05|publisher=Calgary Sun|accessdate=2008-09-05] He was an All West all star in 1960 and All Canadian in 1961.cite news|url=http://stampeders.com/news_blogs/news/?id=2584|title=Earl Lunsford Passes Away|date=2008-09-04|publisher=Calgary Stampeder Football Club|accessdate=2008-09-05]
His best game was on September 3, 1962 in Calgary, when he scored 5 touchdowns, still a Stampeders record.
He later became
General Manager of theWinnipeg Blue Bombers (1968-1982) and theCalgary Stampeders (1985-1987).He was elected to the
Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1983.Earl Lunsford had his own theme song "Earl The Pearl of Calgary".
He died September 3, 2008, aged 74, of
Alzheimer's disease at his Texas home.cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=93710049-d0b0-4f27-af3a-a27fbbf8a50a|title=CFL legend Lunsford dies at age 74|last=Cameron|first=Allen |date=2008-09-04|publisher=Calgary Herald|accessdate=2008-09-05] cite news|url=http://calsun.canoe.ca/Sports/2008/09/04/6661816.html|title=Legendary Stampeder dies|date=2008-09-04|publisher=Calgary Sun|accessdate=2008-09-05] He is survived by his wife Margot, children Brenda and Lamar, and three grandchildren.cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/story/2008/09/04/lunsford-death-stampeders.html?ref=rss|title=CFL loses Hall of Famer Earl Lunsford|date=2008-09-04|publisher=CBC Sports|accessdate=2008-09-05]References
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