Wikipedia

List of CFL on TSN commentators

The following is the list of announcers who worked for CFL on TSN over the years.

Play-by-play edit

  • John Wells: 1987–2004 (lead play-by-play announcer), 2005 (secondary play-by-play announcer)
  • Chris Cuthbert: 2005–2019 (lead play-by-play announcer)
  • Rod Black: 20021, 2005–2019 (secondary play-by-play announcer); 2021 (lead play-by-play announcer)
  • Glen Suitor: 20021
  • Gord Miller: 1995–1998, 2009–2019 (secondary play-by-play announcer)
  • Rod Smith: 1998–1999, 2012–2021 (secondary play-by-play announcer); 2021–present (lead play-by-play announcer)
  • Dave Randorf: 1999–2000 (secondary play-by-play announcer)
  • Farhan Lalji2: 2011, 2021–present (secondary play-by-play announcer)
  • Matt Devlin: 2012–2017 (secondary play-by-play announcer)
  • Dustin Nielson: 2019–present (secondary play-by-play announcer)
  • Marshall Ferguson: 2021–present (secondary play-by-play announcer)

Veteran sportscaster Chris Cuthbert was the primary voice of the CFL on TSN from 2005 to 2020. He had joined the network in 2005 after leaving the CBC. He was paired with longtime colour commentator Glen Suitor. Cuthbert later left TSN and joined Rogers Sportsnet in June 2020; Rod Black succeeded him as lead play-by-play but left in October 2021. Sara Orlesky was the lead sideline reporter for Friday Night Football from 2008.[1] Orlesky left TSN late into the 2022 season. The secondary commentating team is Rod Smith and Duane Forde.[2] Dustin Nielson and Matt Dunigan work as the third team, when needed.

Colour commentator edit

  • Leif Pettersen: 1987–1997 (lead colour commentator), 1998, 2005–2006 (secondary colour commentator)
  • Glen Suitor: 1995–1997 (secondary colour commentator), 1998–present (lead colour commentator)
  • David Archer: 1997 (lead colour commentator) sometimes
  • Matt Dunigan: 1999, 2009–present (secondary colour commentator)
  • Danny McManus: 2007 (secondary colour commentator)
  • Duane Forde: 2008–present (secondary colour commentator)
  • Paul LaPolice: 2023–present (secondary colour commentator)

Studio hosts edit

The CFL on TSN's studio panel consists of host Kate Beirness and a rotating crew of former CFL all-star players Matt Dunigan, Milt Stegall, Henry Burris, and former CFL coach Mike Benevides. Former CFL on CBC studio host Brian Williams occasionally contributed to the studio show also.

Beirness took over studio host duties from Rod Smith in 2021.

Studio analysts edit

Matt Dunigan returned to the CFL on TSN studio show after spending the 2004 season on the sidelines as the general manager and head coach of the Calgary Stampeders. Dunigan's in-depth knowledge, outgoing personality and passion for the game have made him a fan favourite with viewers.

Milt Stegall joined TSN as a guest analyst in 2009 after a 14-year playing career in the CFL.[4]

Henry Burris joined TSN early in the 2017 season as a guest off-screen analyst narrating short explainer films of standard CFL plays using file footage, then joined the studio panel full-time late in 2017. The record-setting retired quarterback was named the league's Most Outstanding Player twice (2010, 2015), won the Grey Cup three times (1998, 2008, 2016), and was named the Grey Cup MVP twice (2008, 2016) during his 19-year CFL career. Burris works as a television host for the local Ottawa version of CTV Morning Live.

Davis Sanchez joined the CFL panel in 2018 after a stint with CKGM sports radio in Montreal commenting on Alouettes games. The 3-time Grey Cup-winning cornerback (2005, 2009, 2011) and three-time East Division defensive All-Star (2000, 2004, 2008) spent 10 seasons in the CFL and 2 in the NFL.

Mike Benevides rejoined the CFL panel in 2019 after being let go from his last coaching role with the Edmonton Eskimos. Benevides was part of the coaching staff of 3 Grey Cup winning teams (2001, 2006, 2011), and was previously a CFL commentator on TSN during the 2015 season.

Notes edit

1.^ During the 2002 season Rod Black and Glen Suitor filled in for John Wells who missed games due to illness.[5]
2.^ During Week 6 of the 2011 season Farhan Lalji filled in for Chris Cuthbert, whose missed the game due to the death of his father.

References edit

  1. ^ . TheStar.com | Football | TSN prepared to gamble on rookie Forde
  2. ^ Hodge, John (2021-07-22). "Rod Smith shifting to play-by-play role, Kate Beirness to host CFL on TSN panel". 3DownNation. Retrieved 2022-08-31.
  3. ^ "FORMER BLUE BOMBERS' COACH LAPOLICE JOINS CFL ON TSN TEAM". TSN.ca. Bell Media. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  4. ^ "Former CFL star Stegall adjusts to retirement, is joining TSN". www.tsn.ca. Archived from the original on 2009-06-07.
  5. ^ Zelkovich, Chris (August 7, 2002). "Madden's focus football on Monday Night". Toronto Star. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
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