PLAYER #127 - DON SUTHERIN (1970)

When current Hamilton Tiger-Cats head coach Don Sutherin first came up to play for the Ticats in 1958, he was shocked at the animosity the city held for his hometown.

"They told me that I had to hate Toronto, and I said 'Wait a second, I'm from Toronto'," said Sutherin, recalling the incident during the final week of the 1996 regular season, when the Tiger-Cats were set to meet the Argos at Ivor Wynne Stadium.

Sutherin was from Toronto, all right - Toronto, Ohio, to be exact, a small town in the Buckeye state. Sutherin went on to be the Rose Bowl hero for his college Ohio State team in 1958, as his field goal won the game for the Buckeyes.

From there, the kicker and defensive back came up to Canada, playing with the Ticats for one year before going back to the United States, where he played single seasons with the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He returned to Hamilton in 1961, where he stayed until 1966, a period that included two Grey Cup wins in 1963 and 1965. From there, he moved on to the nation's capital, where he won a couple more Grey Cups with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1968 and 1969.

In 1970, like salmon, he fittingly returned to the name of his birthplace - Toronto - to say goodbye to his playing career. Playing in only five games, Sutherin had four interceptions (not a bad average!) and did a bit of kicking, but a ring for the thumb was not to come. The Argos lost to the Alouettes in the eastern semi-final that year, and the Als went on to win the Grey Cup. The Als knocked out Sutherin once again in the semi-final this year, as Montreal beat his Tiger-Cats 22-11.

"They tried hard, and I'm very proud of this football team," said a disappointed Sutherin after the game. "I thought we had a chance, I really did."

After a 4-1 start, the Ticats ran into an incredible run of injuries, losing up to 17 position players, including franchise quarterback Matt Dunigan. Many of the critics were quick to point their finger at Sutherin when things were not going good, but he defended his record after last week's game.

"I've only had two-and-a-half years with this football team, and I've brought it to respectability," said Sutherin. "I hear rumblings, but I love Hamilton. I'd love to stay in the city."

Sutherin lives in neighbouring Stoney Creek with his wife Nancy. The couple has four children, daughters Julie, Gail, Becky and Jill.

If Sutherin does indeed lose his job, he should have no trouble finding another coaching stint. An intense but likeable coach, who has the nickname "Sudsy" due to his fondness for beer, Sutherin has been an assistant coach in the CFL since 1981. He has been with Ottawa, Edmonton and Calgary, winning a pair of Grey Cups as a coach as well.

A legend who has been around seemingly forever, Sutherin was inducted into the CFL Hall-of-Fame in 1992. A three-time CFL all-star, four-time scoring leader and fifth in all-time interceptions, "Sudsy's" place in the Hall is well-deserved.