DON LANDRY
His name is George Hitzroth and his own personal Grey Cup statistics are, in some ways, more astounding than Anthony Calvillo’s. While Calvillo makes yet another Grey Cup appearance – his 8th as an active player – he’s only 57 behind Mr. Hitzroth. A resident of Port Perry, Ontario, George is in Edmonton to take in his 65th – yes, 65th – Grey Cup game.
90 year old George loves his football. But that’s not what keeps him coming back. “The people. It’s the social aspect. The game has become anti-climactic.
It’s all the wonderful people that you meet, year after year.”
Chatting with Mr. Hitzroth and his son, John, at the Westin Hotel, I ask George if he remembers much about his first Grey Cup Game.
“Yeah, 1943. Hamilton won, 23 – 14.” (I looked it up. He’s bang on. The Hamilton Flying Wildcats defeated the Winnipeg RCAF Bombers, 23 – 14, at Varsity Stadium, in Toronto.) “My old buddy, Joe Krol was the star of the game. He was the greatest player I have ever seen, anywhere.”
Okay, so Hamilton won the 31st Grey Cup Game. But the question was then put to George: Who wins the 98th? “I like Regina.”
When asked if he’ll be bothered by chilly temperatures as he sits in the stands on game day, George fixes me with a look of scorn. “No! I know how to dress for a Grey Cup game! ” Then he chuckles and adds: “Years of experience! “
65 years of experience. Here’s to many, many more, Mr. Hitzroth.