Sep 16, 2016; Hamilton, Ontario, CAN; Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeat the Montreal Alouettes 20-17 at Tim Hortons Field. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski
Former Ticats Andy Fantuz and Bernie Custis have been named to the inaugural class of the Football Ontario Hall of Fame.
Fantuz, played 148 CFL regular season games over 12 seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2006-11) and Tiger-Cats (2012-17), registering 637 receptions for 8,363 yards and 44 touchdowns. The 6-4, 218-pound receiver ranks 18th all-time and fourth among Canadians in receptions, as well as 33rd all-time and ninth among Canadians in receiving yards. Fantuz, the CFL’s 2010 Most Outstanding Canadian, also played in five Grey Cup games, winning one (2007) and earning the Dick Suderman Trophy as the game’s most valuable Canadian twice (2007, 2014).
Fantuz finished his Tiger-Cats career ranked tied for seventh in franchise history in receptions (348) and 13th in receiving yards (4,052).
The Chatham, Ontario native was selected by the Roughriders with the third overall pick in the 2006 CFL Draft after a record-setting Canadian Interuniversity Sport career at Western University. During his four years with the Mustangs (2002-05), Fantuz set new CIS and Ontario University Athletics marks for career receiving yards (4,123), single season receiving yards (1,300 in 2002), career receptions (189) and career touchdown receptions (41). He was the recipient of the Hec Crighton Trophy as the top player in CIS football in 2005.
Custis will be inducted posthumously as a member of the builder category.
Custis, made history on Aug. 29th, 1951, when he started at quarterback for the Tiger-Cats, making him the first black quarterback to start in a CFL game. The Philadelphia native went on to play five seasons in the CFL Hamilton (1951-54), Ottawa (1955-56). He went on to make the transition from player to amateur coach, teacher, and principal.
His coaching career saw him make stops at Sheridan College (1973-80) and McMaster University (1981-88). Over eight seasons he led the Marauders to a 31–23–1 record. He was named the OUAA Coach of the Year in 1982 and 1984 and was named CIAU Coach of the Year in 1982. He was inducted into the McMaster Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.
Custis, was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a builder in 1998. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 88 in Burlington, Ont.
The high school next to Tim Hortons Field is named in his honour.
The Football Ontario Hall of Fame is currently unveiling its inaugural class, which will include 15 members.
