A STATEMENT FROM THE CFL ON THE PASSING OF FORMER MONTREAL ALOUETTES OWNER BOB WETENHALL

Bob Wetenhall’s ownership of the Montreal Alouettes was a labour of love. He loved the city, his team and the Canadian Football League. And they all loved him back. Bob was as charming and generous in private as he was successful and determined in public. That combination meant he built deep and lasting friendships across our league at the same time he built a highly successful franchise.

Under his ownership, the Alouettes finished first in the East ten times, appeared in eight Grey Cups, and were crowned Grey Cup champions three times. He bolstered the business side of the franchise as well, posting 100 straight sellouts, and investing in the restoration of Percival Molson Stadium at McGill University. McGill granted Bob its highest honour, an Honourary Doctor of Laws degree, in 2011. And we granted him our highest honour in 2015, when Bob was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum. He quietly turned down other awards along the way, modestly saying he would prefer it if someone else got some recognition.

A member of the CFL Board of Governors from 1997 to 2013, Bob always treated his fellow owners and team chairs with kindness and respect, and he treated players, coaches, staffers, fans and reporters as if they were fellow owners. Our league is grateful for his many contributions. The people in it are deeply saddened by news of his passing. Our thoughts are with his sons Bob Jr. and Andrew, who followed his father as the Alouettes’ lead governor, and Bob’s entire family.

Randy Ambrosie
Commissioner
Canadian Football League