Greek mythology is a major theme of the current Argonaut organization, with the warrior logo on the new uniform an indication of that. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that "Hercules" once played on the defensive line. That was back in the ancient 1960's, an era when defeat meant death and opposition fans were fed to the lions. Opposition quarterbacks, meanwhile, were left to the whims of our "Hercules", known better to Argo fans by his human name: Ed Harrington.
"I was called Hercules all through university because I was a weightlifter," said Harrington, who was the Oklahoma heavyweight champion for three years while at Langston University.
It was around this time that Harrington got to know a future teammate and fellow Oklahoman very well, Granville "Granny" Liggins, and they renewed acquaintances in the CFL in typical football fashion.
"(We were playing Calgary) and somebody came from behind and hit me with an elbow," said Harrington, an all-Canadian at defensive end for three straight years, from 1968-70. "I turned around to see who it was, and there was Granny Liggins, with a smile on his face."
When it comes to smiles, none can surpass the wide grin often exhibited by Harrington, a scholarly gentle giant who has always put others ahead of himself. This can be evident in his current occupation as a patient advocate at the North Bay Psychiatric Hospital, a position he has held for the last eight years. Prior to that, he worked for 12 years in the provincial Ombudsman's Office, which investigated and reviewed various government agencies.
"If you like people, that kind of work is a natural for you," said Harrington, who lives with his wife Terryl in a semi-secluded log cabin in the town of Field, about 20 minutes northwest of North Bay. "I've always liked the country life."
Ahhhh, the yearning for a time and place that is lost in the big city, a return to the simple and quiet life of a more innocent era that has since bypassed. It is the way Harrington likely views his current surroundings, and also the way he views the CFL of today with the CFL of his day.
"I was so impressed with the CFL because the fans all across the country filled the stadiums, and everyody knew your name," said Harrington, reminiscing of a time that may never return again, when import players regularly stayed in the community and took up roots. "That made it even better because you got to appreciate things more."
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