1949 in Canadian football

The Calgary Stampeders had an opportunity to defend their Grey Cup title in 1949, but the Montreal Alouettes returned the trophy to Quebec for just the third time in its history.

Canadian Football News in 1949
The Edmonton Eskimos rejoined with the WIFU and adopted the colours of gold and green. The WIFU regular season was extended to 14 games, per team.

Wearing helmets became compulsory with the two unions. The Western Canada Rugby Football Union ceased its operations.

Final regular season standings
Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, Pts = Points
 * Bold text means that they have clinched the playoffs.

Grey Cup playoffs
Note: All dates in 1949

Finals

 * Calgary won the total-point series by 22–21. The Stampeders will advance to the Grey Cup game.


 * Hamilton won the total-point series by 26–18. The Tigers will play the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern finals.


 * Montreal won the total-point series by 36–20. The Alouettes will play the Hamilton Tigers in the Eastern finals.

Eastern Finals

 * The Montreal Alouettes will advance to the Grey Cup game.

1949 Eastern (Interprovincial Rugby Football Union) All-Stars
NOTE: During this time most players played both ways, so the All-Star selections do not distinguish between some offensive and defensive positions.


 * QB – Frank Filchock, Montreal Alouettes
 * QB – Andy Gordon, Ottawa Rough Riders
 * HB – Howie Turner, Ottawa Rough Riders
 * HB – Virgil Wagner, Montreal Alouettes
 * HB – Royal Copeland, Toronto Argonauts
 * E – Robert Hood, Hamilton Wildcats
 * E – Ralph Toohy, Montreal Alouettes
 * FW – Bob Paffrath, Ottawa Rough Riders
 * C – Don Loney, Ottawa Rough Riders
 * G – Eddie Michaels, Ottawa Rough Riders
 * G – Vince Scott, Hamilton Wildcats
 * T – Herb Trawick, Montreal Alouettes
 * T – John Wagoner, Ottawa Rough Riders

1949 Western (Western Interprovincial Football Union) All-Stars
NOTE: During this time most players played both ways, so the All-Star selections do not distinguish between some offensive and defensive positions.

1st Team

 * QB – Keith Spaith, Calgary Stampeders
 * HB – Del Wardien, Saskatchewan Roughriders
 * HB – Ken Charlton, Saskatchewan Roughriders
 * HB – Vern Graham, Calgary Stampeders
 * FB – Sammy Pierce, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
 * E – Ezzert Anderson, Calgary Stampeders
 * E – Woody Strode, Calgary Stampeders
 * C – Mel Wilson, Calgary Stampeders
 * G – Mike Kissell, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
 * G – Riley Matheson, Calgary Stampeders
 * T – Johnny Aguirre, Calgary Stampeders
 * T – Mike Cassidy, Saskatchewan Roughriders

2nd Team

 * QB – Doug Belden, Saskatchewan Roughriders
 * HB – Chuck Fenenbock, Edmonton Eskimos
 * HB – Normie Kwong, Calgary Stampeders
 * HB – Harry Hood, Calgary Stampeders
 * FB – Paul Rowe, Calgary Stampeders
 * E – Matt Anthony, Saskatchewan Roughriders
 * E – Johnny Bell, Saskatchewan Roughriders
 * C – Doug Brightwell, Saskatchewan Roughriders
 * G – Bud Irving, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
 * G – Bert Iannone, Calgary Stampeders
 * T – Pat Santucci, Saskatchewan Roughriders
 * T – Toar Springstein, Saskatchewan Roughriders

1949 Ontario Rugby Football Union All-Stars
NOTE: During this time most players played both ways, so the All-Star selections do not distinguish between some offensive and defensive positions.


 * QB – Stan Wolkowski, Hamilton Tigers
 * HB – Don Knowles, Sarnia Imperials
 * HB – Jack Stewart, Hamilton Tigers
 * DB – Sylvester Mike, Windsor Rockets
 * E – Keith Fisher, Sarnia Imperials
 * E – Bill Damiano, Hamilton Tigers
 * E – Rube Ainsworth, Hamilton Tigers
 * FW – Joe Capriotti, Hamilton Tigers
 * C – Jake Gaudaur, Hamilton Tigers
 * G – Don McKenzie, Toronto Beaches-Indians
 * G – Jack Moreau, Windsor Rockets
 * T – Lloyd "Dutch" Davey, Sarnia Imperials
 * T – Len Wright, Windsor Rockets

1949 Canadian Football Awards

 * Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy (IRFU MVP) – Royal Copeland (RB), Toronto Argonauts
 * Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy (WIFU MVP) - Keith Spaith (QB), Calgary Stampeders
 * Gruen Trophy (IRFU Rookie of the Year) - Jim Loreno (HB), Hamilton Wildcats
 * Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy (WIFU Rookie of the Year) - John Stroppa (HB), Winnipeg Blue Bombers
 * Imperial Oil Trophy (ORFU MVP) - Don Knowles - Sarnia Imperials