0:
smilin hank hoisting the Cup.jpg [ 91.26 KiB | Viewed 305 times ]
I have been as much of a supporter as a critic of Henry Armand Burris Jr aka Smilin' Hank, Good Hank, Bad Hank over the years. He was the guy who could thrill and chill all in one game. The guy who kept you wondering which persona we would see on any given game day. I both cursed him and lauded him during his time with my Riders. Still, this was the Henry Burris who had won 2 Grey Cup championships - you knew he had the right stuff. For sure, he knew he still had it and let us know at every opportunity.
Along came our newest team the Ottawa Redblacks and Hank won the job as their starter. His first season with Ottawa was forgettable - his worst since 2003 - Bad Hank was back on display and just as vocal against his detractors. In spite of that, he was once again named the starting QB for the 2015 season. Good Hank to the fore. He rewarded his coach and his team for their faith by setting a CFL record for most completions in a single game and a career high 504 passing yards. He set another for most completions in a single season, led his team to a 12 and 6 record and a win in the Eastern Division final. He finished the regular season with the most completions and most passing yards earning himself the league's MOP for 2015.
Hank was back behind center to start off the 2016 season but was side-lined with an injury to his pinkie finger in the first game of the season eventually being placed on the 6-game list. Then back-up Trevor Harris was injured in Game 5 and Hank was reactivated early. He did not fair well in three outings and after a Game 7 loss resorted to sounding off against TSN.
After losing Game 9, Trevor Harris was once again promoted to starter but the team continued to struggle. It was not until week 17 that Hank got another start. The team went 2 and 2 in the next four games and against all odds ended up the regular season sitting atop their division and winning a bye to the Eastern Division Final.
They were the underdogs going into the Eastern Final but won that game which was played in a constant blizzard by a decent 39 - 33 points over the much favored Edmonton Eskimos setting up a return to the Grey Cup for the second consecutive year.
If there was any doubt about their status versus the Eskimos, there was none when it came to the Calgary Stampeders as even Ottawa fans were wont to agree. The Stamps were fresh off all but sweeping the CFL awards, their QB Bo Levi Mitchell the league's MOP, they had a near perfect 15 - 2 - 1 record. They led the league in almost all statistical categories both offensively and defensively. Predictions of blow-outs could be heard in the wind.
Instead we were treated to one of the best all time Grey Cup games - an instant classic. The game was definitely lop-sided in the first half but it was the underdogs who had turned tables on the favorites and folks were glued to their seats. They stayed that way as the Stamps started to pound their way back into the game watching as the lead slowly shriveled until the final moments when the Stamps tied the game forcing OT.
The rest as they say, is history and Henry Burris was a huge part of it.
Congratulations Henry.............you can burn that chip now.
CKA Super Elite 
CKA Uber 
