Wayne ‘Thumper’ Harris, a member of the Stampeders from 1961-1972, has passed away at the age of 77.
“Wayne Harris was a great player who meant so much to this franchise and to this city,” said Stampeders president Gordon Norrie. “He was also a great man who will be missed and on behalf of the Stampeders organization, I extend sympathies to Wayne’s wife Anne and his children Wayne Jr., Cooper, Heather-Ann and Wynelle.”
The linebacker was a CFL West all-star for 11 consecutive seasons and was named the 1971 Grey Cup MVP in the Stampeders victory over the Toronto Argonauts.
In 1976, Harris was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Harris was named to the Stampeders Wall of Fame, erected in 1985 at McMahon Stadium, as part of the team's inaugural class.
Following his retirement from the gridiron, Harris remained in Calgary working in oil and gas as a member of CanTex Drilling and CE Franklin.
The Calgary Stampeders have not released a cause of death.
