10 CFL Players Who’ve Made the Pro Bowl
by Patrick Rifino
The CFL or the Canadian Football League has fielded many opportunities for several stand-out college players who’s time might not have been right to make a start in the NFL or National Football League. Many of these players often return back to the states after gaining film and turn out successful careers with more football experience under their belts. The CFL or Canadian Football League is comprised of 9 teams stretching across Canada, the BC Lions, Calgary Stampeders, Edmonton Elks, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the West Devision, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Montreal Alouettes, Ottawa REDBLACKS and Toronto Argonauts of the East Division. The CFL general plays from June through November where they award their Grey Cup, the top prize that can be won in the Canadian Football League. Here are 10 players who played in the CFL before earning an NFL Pro Bowl selection.
Brandon Browner
Browner was an undrafted free agent out of Oregon State in 2005. After getting injured his rookie year he was waived by the Broncos in 2006. Browner ended up signing with the Calgary Stampeders in 2006 winning the Grey Cup in 2008. While with the Stampeders Browner earned three CFL all star selections, which earned him a 3 year contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Browner would earn a 2011 Pro Bowl nod, in addition to Super Bowl rings with the Seahawks (2013) and the Patriots (2014).
Cameron Wake
Wake, was an UDFA out of Penn State in 2005 was cut before training camp. After spending a year out of football, Wake transitioned to the CFL with the BC Lions in 2007. Wake earned two all star selections and two Most Outstanding Defensive Player awards. Wake would sign a four deal with the Miami Dolphins and earned five pro bowl selections during his 11-year career. During his time in the NFL Wake also passed the coveted 100 sack milestone during his time with the Titans.
Joe Horn
Horn was undrafted from Itawamba Community College due to his inability to earn a D1 scholarship due to poor SAT scores, What makes Horn even more unique is that he spent two years out of football before signing with three American CFL teams ( Baltimore Stallions, Shreveport Pirates, and Memphis Mad Dogs). Horn was able to play well enough with the Mad Dogs to earn himself a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1996 and ended up earning four bowl selections with the New Orleans Saints. With all these accomplishments and unique path to the NFL I guess Horn was more than justified to call a loved one during an NFL game.
Warren Moon
Warren Moon went undrafted in 1978 out of Washington. Moon would join the Edmonton Eskimos where he would win five Grey Cup’s and a CFL MVP. Moon would then transition to the NFL with the Oilers earning nine pro bowl appearances. Moon would become the first CFL hall of famer to be enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame in 2006.
Jeff Garcia
Another undrafted free agent Garcia would leave San Jose State in 1994 and join the Calgary Stampeders as Doug Flutie’s back up.Garcia would earn four CFL all star appearances and was even named the Western Division’s MVP in 1997 (Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy). Garcia would finish his CFL career with a Grey Cup victory in 1998, before joining the San Francisco 49ers in 1999 as Steve Young’s backup. Garcia would also earn four NFL pro bowls and start six playoff games for three NFL franchises throughout his 18 year professional career.
Mike Vanderjagt
Peyton Manning’s “idiot kicker” is our first and only Canadian on the list. Vanderjadgt, who is from Ontario, bounced between the CFL and AFL before signing with the Toronto Argonauts in 1996 where he kicked and punted for the Argos. He would end up winning two Grey cups in the CFL before being signed by the Colts in 1998. Vanderjagt would have a successful career with the Colts, earning a pro bowl selection in 2003, along with All-Pro honors (1st team 2003, 2nd team 1999) before returning to Canada in 2008 to be closer to family. Not a bad career for an “idiot kicker''.
Doug Flutie
The former 1984 Heisman winner was deemed too short to play in the NFL and was drafted in the 11th round of the 1985 NFL draft. Flutie would sign with the USFL New Jersey Generals and play in the USFL until the league folded. Flutie then meandered around the NFL from 1986-1989 before transitioning to the CFL for eight years. Flutie would win six CFL MVP’s, six Grey Cup Championships, before returning to the NFL in 1998 earning a pro bowl selection and a NFL comeback player of the year while with the Bills. Flutie was selected to the CFL Hall of Fame in 2008.
Joe Kapp
After being selected by the Redskins/WFT in 1959, and not being signed, Kapp took his talents to Calagry before being traded to the BC Lions. Kapp would lead the Lions to a Grey Cup championship in 1964 and was selected to two CFL all star teams (1963,1964), in addition to winning a Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy (Western Division MVP). Kapp would then replace Fran Tarkenton in Minnesota where he would earn a pro bowl selection in 1969 while leading the Vikings to an NFL Championship. Knapp was inducted in the CFL Hall of Fame in 1984.
Joe Thiesmann
After an All-American career at Notre Dame, Joe Thiesmann was drafted in the 4th round by the Miami Dolphins in 1971. Due to a failure in negotiations Thiesmann would join the Toronto Argonauts for $50,000 ($343,145.68 in 2022) and become a CFL all-star in 1972 and 1973. Thiesmann’s rights were obtained by the Redskins/WFT in 1974 were he would go to two pro bowls, an MVP, a super bowl and a devastating career-ending injury. Though Thiesmann's career ended a bit prematurely he seemed to have shined wherever he went as he transitioned nicely in the broadcast booth.
