PLAYER #129 - GERRY STERNBERG (1969-71, 73)

After 24 years, the Grey Cup game is finally coming back to Hamilton on November 24th. The last time it was at Ivor Wynne Stadium was in 1972, when the Ticats defeated Saskatchewan 13-10 on a late field goal by Ian Sunter.

Sunter later went on to play for the Argos, and had as his player agent one Gerry Sternberg, who was also on the field for the Tiger-Cats on that fateful 1972 day.

"It certainly was a highlight to be on a Grey Cup team," said Sternberg, a homegrown defensive back and punt returner. "I'm surprised because I thought somebody would try to make an effort to have the alumni back for that one."

While Sternberg has not heard from his Tiger-Cat alumni very often, he has been seen at some alumni gatherings of the Double Blue, for whom he played before and after his Grey Cup win. He came to the Argos in 1969 after a couple of years with the Montreal Alouettes, and ended his career with the Argos in 1973. The circumstances regarding his final departure were quite interesting, though. As a practising lawyer since 1971 with his own business ("a sole practitioner" in his words), Sternberg also served as legal counsel for the CFL's Player's Association. In 1974, he was offered a two-year contract, which he rejected. When he came back with a counter proposal, he was informed he had been cut, with no room to renegotiate.

"Why do they offer me a two-year contract, and then tell me that they released me," wondered a suspicious Sternberg. "It certainly made me feel it wasn't because of my ability."

But it was because of his legal ability, as the owners saw him as a threat to their plans.

"They wanted to start having practices during the day," said Sternberg. "Some of the guys who were teachers - Dick Aldridge, Peter Martin and others - were concerned about that so we had a meeting at my house to discuss it. The owners must have thought I was against it. I must have been one of the scapegoats."

Despite the way his career ended, Sternberg still has fond memories of his time with the Argos, particularly the people that he played with on the colourful Leo Cahill teams of the late '60's and early '70's.

"We had some different types of guys," said Sternberg, who still meets up with former teammates like Mike Eben and Bobby Taylor on occasion. "First of all, we had a good team, and there was always something going on around it."

Away from football, Sternberg has little spare time on his hands now, as the graduate from the University of Toronto keeps busy with litigation, personal injury and court work. He also has four kids (Arlen, Samantha, Zachary and Ryne) and lives with his wife Tania in Toronto.