1972 Hall of Fame Class

Member #36: LB Rusty McVee - Brampton, ON - 1st Ballot - Creator: Scratch
Rusty broke into the league as a rookie in 1953 after being drafted 4th overall by the Montreal Rouge. His first year would be a great one as he made an immediate impact. He would help Montreal to their 2nd McCallister Cup in 3 years and take home Rookie of the Year. He would earn his first All-Star the next year in 1954, but the team fell short of a repeat. While McVee was just getting into his prime, the Rouge would slip into a deep rebuild, going 2-8 in back-to-back seasons. The poor form would lead to McVee desiring a trade. His request would be granted and Montreal would trade McVee to Long Island. His first year on Long Island would be a little rocky with McVee struggling to fit into the new team, but by his second season, they would figure it out. The Raiders’ defence would become one of the best defences in the league’s short history en route to a McCallister Cup win in 1958. McVee would win the McCallister Cup and Playoff MVP during the run as well. The next two seasons would both still be good with the Raiders finishing atop the West Division in both years, however, fell short of a championship. In 1960, the Raiders would face a cap crunch with the salary cap being introduced so the Raiders would have to let go of McVee. McVee would sign with the Providence Gold Stars and would then take them to a competitive spot, including a McCallister Cup appearance in 1963, marking the 3rd team he has gone to the big game with, however he fell short of a 3rd ring. After the cup run, McVee would leave the Gold Stars and head home to join the Toronto Steelheads. He would play for his local club for their first 3 seasons in the league helping them to the playoffs in all three years. After 1966, McVee would officially call it a career, finishing with 2 McCallister Cups and 7 All-Star seasons. One of the most impressive things in McVee’s career is that his team made the playoffs in 12 out of his 14 seasons.

Member #37: DL Olympus Heights - Oshawa, ON - 1st Ballot - Creator: Scratch
Heights was selected 5th overall in the 1955 draft after the Ontario Tigers traded back from the 3rd spot. They had their eye on the smart and ever-improving D-lineman. It took him a bit of time to truly kick into gear, but by 1958, Heights was becoming a regular all-star. His favourite place to be in the game was in the backfield, stopping running backs in their tracks and giving QB’s a good reminder to throw the ball. During the Tigers’ run of 3 straight McCallister Cup appearances, Heights was a part of one of the more frustrating D-lines in the league that featured, Dee Floyd, William Collins, and a young Richard Blunt. He certainly was important to the Tigers’ success including 2 Cup wins in 1960 and 1963. His friendly, fun-loving personality tied really well to his leadership on the line, keeping everyone focused but having a good time. He would also make both the Tigers’ 1950 and 1960 All-Decade Teams, cementing himself as one of the best to play for the team.

Member #38: Emil Riddle - Pittsburgh, PA - 1st Ballot - Creator: Wallflower
Riddle’s career started with the Pittsburgh Hammers of the ACFL where he worked his way up to the head coaching role. However, due to some rough seasons in Pittsburgh and disagreements with management, he decided to look for a new opportunity. He would land in Worcester and make an immediate impact taking home Coach of the Year in his first season. He would win Coach of the Year again in 1956, leading the Athletics to a 9-1 record and their long McCallister Cup appearance in the NAAF. Following the changing of ownership in Worcester after Richard Paul’s passing, issues arose between Riddle and management. Decisions like the team trading star QB Riley Kiernan and drafting QB Gene Bishop, frustrated Riddle. He tried to make it work, but Riddle left the team after the 1958 season and took a job with the Thunder. He quickly made the Thunder into contenders in the West Division. He would bring on several former Athletics players like DB Alexander Bradley and OL Cliff Strautzenberger, as well as push for the acquisition via trade of Hall of Fame LB Scotty Williams. After acquiring Williams in 1962, he would finally get over the hump and win the McCallister Cup which also went along with his 3rd Coach of the Year. Following the win, he continued to keep the team in contention despite injuries and other issues. In 1965, he would lead the Thunder on one last run to the final but fell short of winning it again. 1966 ended up being his worst season as a coach and felt that it was finally time to step away. Riddle is one of the best coaches the league has seen. Players loved playing for him, simply because he made them better, he took the time to help everyone on the team. A true leader and champion of the sport.

Member #39: DL Vernon Spears - New York City, NY - 1st Ballot - Creator: Captain Mort 3D
After being selected with the first overall selection in the 1954 draft, DL Vernon Spears had the tough task of replacing the recently traded Hall of Fame DL Sean Bowen. It would be hard to do considering the Hawks were heading into a heavy rebuild. However, he very quickly started to get the team moving forward. In just his second season, he would help the Raiders reach the McCallister Cup. He continued to grow and get comfortable in the defence and the team. Many teammates began to highly respect Spears, which led to him being named the team’s first captain in 1957. From there, he played a vital role in the Raiders' success in the late ’50s. He was able to reign in LB Rusty McVee during his tough first season and get the Raiders their first cup in 1958. He then helped with 2 more West Division titles in the following seasons. Unfortunately, the Raiders could not capitalize on another cup win and had to go into another rebuild. However, with Spears leading the way on defence, it did not take long for the team to find their groove again and went to back-to-back McCallister Cups in 1964 and 1965. They took home the ‘65 title, which got Spears to stay on for one last season. However, the Raiders would fail to make the McCallister Cup after losing to Montreal 14-15 in the East Division Final.

Member #40: RB Joel Bonner - Boston, MA - 6th Ballot - Creator: Wallflower
Joel Bonner was a dominant force during the 1940s for the Boston Football Club. He ran all over the NEFC prior to the formation of the NAAF. Once, Bonner got into the NAAF, he continued to roll on, earning Offensive Player of the Year in the league’s first season in 1949. After the Boston Independents took home the McCallister Cup in 1949, they would go back-to-back behind Bonner’s strong rushing attack. Unfortunately, Bonner’s career would take a turn when he was injured in week 1 of the 1951 season. His major leg injury would slow him down quite a bit initially. He was never able to rekindle his 1940s form, but he would still battle back. He remained a key part of Boston’s run of making 5 of the first 6 McCallister Cups. Following the 1954 season, Bonner would remain a part of the team despite many teammates, like QB Larry Larson, retiring. He would help during a rebuild, eventually taking a smaller role as his career winded down. The first half of Bonner’s career alone was worthy of the Hall, but his later half may have led to his longer wait to get the call. 

Member #41: DL Napoléon Chevalier - Moncton, NB - 6th Ballot - Creator: Wallflower
Chevalier was a fierce member of the dangerous and punishing Montreal defence of the early 1950s. He was a feared lineman who would make sure you felt it when he tackled you. He believed that part of winning was a mental game too and made sure to make teams second guess their moves. He would be a consistent All-Star being named to each of the first 5 All-Star teams in the NAAF’s history. He would help the Rouge capture 2 McCallister Cups in 1951 and 1953, being a part of one of the best defences the league has ever seen. After the 1954 season, Montreal was headed for a major rebuild and would trade Chevalier to the Ontario Tigers. He would play one season with the team, which ended in a disappointing playoff miss. As tough as Chevalier was on the field, he was still a thoughtful guy off of it. He’d beat the crap out of you in the game but then buy you a drink after. That’s who he was and is. After retirement, Chevalier has continued to be involved in youth football in his hometown of Moncton, just waiting for his moment to be called to the Hall.