List of CFL on TSN commentators

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The following is the list of announcers who worked for CFL on TSN over the years.

Play-by-play[edit]

  • John Wells: 1987–2004 (lead play-by-play announcer), 2005 (secondary play-by-play announcer)
  • Chris Cuthbert[1][2][3][4]: 2005–2019 (lead play-by-play announcer)
  • Rod Black[5]: 20021, 2005–2019 (secondary play-by-play announcer); 2021 (lead play-by-play announcer)
  • Glen Suitor: 20021
  • Gord Miller: 1995–1998, 2009–2019 (secondary play-by-play announcer)
  • Rod Smith: 1998–1999, 2012–2021 (secondary play-by-play announcer); 2021–present (lead play-by-play announcer)
  • Dave Randorf[6]: 1999–2000 (secondary play-by-play announcer)
  • Farhan Lalji2: 2011, 2021–present (secondary play-by-play announcer)
  • Matt Devlin: 2012–2017 (secondary play-by-play announcer)
  • Dustin Nielson: 2019–present (secondary play-by-play announcer)
  • Marshall Ferguson[7]: 2021–present (secondary play-by-play announcer)

Veteran sportscaster Chris Cuthbert was the primary voice of the CFL on TSN from 2005 to 2020. He had joined the network in 2005 after leaving the CBC. He was paired with longtime colour commentator Glen Suitor. Cuthbert later left TSN and joined Rogers Sportsnet in June 2020; Rod Black succeeded him as lead play-by-play but left in October 2021. Sara Orlesky was the lead sideline reporter for Friday Night Football from 2008.[8] Orlesky left TSN late into the 2022 season. The secondary commentating team is Rod Smith and Duane Forde.[9] Dustin Nielson and Matt Dunigan work as the third team, when needed.

Colour commentator[edit]

  • Leif Pettersen[10][11][12]: 1987–1997 (lead colour commentator), 1998, 2005–2006 (secondary colour commentator)
  • Glen Suitor: 1995–1997 (secondary colour commentator), 1998–present (lead colour commentator)
  • David Archer: 1997 (lead colour commentator) sometimes
  • Matt Dunigan: 1999, 2009–present (secondary colour commentator)
  • Danny McManus: 2007 (secondary colour commentator)
  • Duane Forde: 2008–present (secondary colour commentator)
  • Paul LaPolice: 2023–present (secondary colour commentator)

After joining the TSN broadcast booth as a guest analyst for the 1994 Grey Cup, Glen Suitor retired from the CFL prior to the 1995 season, and joined TSN as a full-time television game analyst, alongside Gord Miller. Suitor currently works as the lead game analyst on CFL on TSN, first alongside John Wells, then alongside Chris Cuthbert, and Rod Black. Suitor is currently paired alongside Rod Smith.[13]

In 2008, Duane Forde joined TSN as a game analyst for their CFL on TSN broadcasts. Forde serves as the secondary commentator, calling games with play by play announcer Rod Black, and later with Rod Smith.[14] Forde was also an analyst for TSN.ca's coverage of the 2008 CFL Draft. He also contributes regularly to TSN's Sportscentre and writes a weekly column for TSN.ca. Before joining TSN, Forde served as a commentator for The Score's CIS football telecasts from 2006 to 2007 and was a CFL analyst for Rogers Sportsnet from 2003 to 2005. He has been known as the premier Canadian College Draft expert and occasionally referred to by media members as the Mel Kiper Jr. of the CFL.[15][16]

TSN brought Paul LaPolice on board as a guest analyst for the 2012 playoffs. From 2013 to 2015, LaPolice worked full-time for the CFL on TSN, hosting a segment called the "Coach's Playbook" and appearing occasionally on the TSN panel.[17]

Studio hosts[edit]

The CFL on TSN's studio panel consists of host Kate Beirness and a rotating crew of former CFL all-star players Matt Dunigan, Milt Stegall, Henry Burris, and former CFL coach Mike Benevides. Former CFL on CBC studio host Brian Williams occasionally contributed to the studio show also.

Beirness took over studio host duties from Rod Smith in 2021.

After Dave Randorf left as host of the CFL on TSN panel to join Rogers Media, Smith took over as host. Smith returned to providing play-by-play commentary for some CFL games during the 2018 season, mostly for Thursday Night Football. Starting in 2021, Kate Beirness took over as the CFL on TSN studio host, while Smith became the secondary CFL announcer alongside Duane Forde. Upon Rod Black's departure from TSN on October 14, 2021, Smith became the lead CFL on TSN play-by-play announcer. He also called his first Grey Cup as play-by-play man, the 108th game at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario, on December 12, 2021.

Studio analysts[edit]

Matt Dunigan returned to the CFL on TSN studio show after spending the 2004 season on the sidelines as the general manager and head coach of the Calgary Stampeders. Dunigan's in-depth knowledge, outgoing personality and passion for the game have made him a fan favourite with viewers.

Milt Stegall joined TSN as a guest analyst in 2009 after a 14-year playing career in the CFL.[22]

Henry Burris joined TSN early in the 2017 season as a guest off-screen analyst narrating short explainer films of standard CFL plays using file footage, then joined the studio panel full-time late in 2017. The record-setting retired quarterback was named the league's Most Outstanding Player twice (2010, 2015), won the Grey Cup three times (1998, 2008, 2016), and was named the Grey Cup MVP twice (2008, 2016) during his 19-year CFL career. Burris works as a television host for the local Ottawa version of CTV Morning Live.

Davis Sanchez joined the CFL panel in 2018 after a stint with CKGM sports radio in Montreal commenting on Alouettes games. The 3-time Grey Cup-winning cornerback (2005, 2009, 2011) and three-time East Division defensive All-Star (2000, 2004, 2008) spent 10 seasons in the CFL and 2 in the NFL.

Mike Benevides rejoined the CFL panel in 2019 after being let go from his last coaching role with the Edmonton Eskimos. Benevides was part of the coaching staff of 3 Grey Cup winning teams (2001, 2006, 2011), and was previously a CFL commentator on TSN during the 2015 season.

Notes[edit]

1.^ During the 2002 season Rod Black and Glen Suitor filled in for John Wells who missed games due to illness.[23]
2.^ During Week 6 of the 2011 season Farhan Lalji filled in for Chris Cuthbert, whose missed the game due to the death of his father.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ admin (April 27, 2005). "Chris Cuthbert Joins TSN, CTV". Channel Canada. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "Cuthbert joins CTV/TSN". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 27, 2005. Archived from the original on 2021-08-16. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  3. ^ "Cuthbert going to TSN, sources say". The Globe and Mail. 2005-04-27. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  4. ^ "Firing by CBC raises Cuthbert's profile". Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  5. ^ "Rod Black". TSN, Bell Media. 2019.
  6. ^ "TSN Talent - Dave Randorf". TSN.ca. Bell Media Television. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
  7. ^ "TSN to televise four CFL preseason games, including rescheduled Bombers-Riders contest". 3DownNation. May 23, 2022.
  8. ^ . TheStar.com | Football | TSN prepared to gamble on rookie Forde
  9. ^ Hodge, John (2021-07-22). "Rod Smith shifting to play-by-play role, Kate Beirness to host CFL on TSN panel". 3DownNation. Retrieved 2022-08-31.
  10. ^ "TSN, CFL, mourn loss of Leif Pettersen". TSN.ca. July 31, 2008. Retrieved July 31, 2008.
  11. ^ "Introducing Leif Pettersen". Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
  12. ^ "Obituary: Former CFL all-star was long-time Etobicoke resident". InsideToronto.com. August 1, 2008. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012.
  13. ^ "Glen Suitor".
  14. ^ Djukic, Marija (June 18, 2008). "TSN set to air entire CFL package". mediaincanada.com.
  15. ^ Bostrom, Don (April 21, 2006). "Lafayette's Brown will be playing for the Eskimos ** Edmonton selects him in the fourth round of the CFL draft". The Morning Call.
  16. ^ Beamish, Mike (May 2, 2009). "CFL draft goes live but will it hit a homer?". National Post.
  17. ^ "TSN calls Paul LaPolice into the booth". Leader Post. 2013-06-28. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-08-16.
  18. ^ "Solomon Elimimian, John Bowman headline 2023 CFHOF class". Canadian Football League. March 16, 2023.
  19. ^ "TSN to air entire 2009 CFL Season". CFL.ca. June 10, 2009.
  20. ^ "FORMER BLUE BOMBERS' COACH LAPOLICE JOINS CFL ON TSN TEAM". TSN.ca. Bell Media. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  21. ^ "Kate Beirness to host Thursday panel as CFL on TSN makes changes". 3downnation.com. May 23, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  22. ^ "Former CFL star Stegall adjusts to retirement, is joining TSN". www.tsn.ca. Archived from the original on 2009-06-07.
  23. ^ Zelkovich, Chris (August 7, 2002). "Madden's focus football on Monday Night". Toronto Star. Retrieved 24 July 2011.

External links[edit]

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