CFHOF unveils 2026 inductees set for celebration September 17th, 2026
The Canadian Football Hall of Fame is proud to welcome six distinguished individuals into its Class of 2026. Players Brandon Banks, Jim Evenson, Charleston Hughes, Sean Millington and Calvin Tiggle, along with Builder Frank “Pop” Ivy, will be formally inducted in recognition of their outstanding achievements and lasting contributions to Canadian football.
Known as Speedy for his fleetness of foot, Brandon Banks played in 127 games across nine seasons (2013-22) mainly with Hamilton and with Toronto in his final season. He holds the CFL record for missed field goal return touchdowns (five) and ranks third all-time with 13 kick-return majors. His standout 2019 campaign earned him Most Outstanding Player honours on the strength of league-leads – and career-highs – in receptions (112), receiving yards (1,550) and receiving touchdowns (13). He holds the Ticats’ all-time records in punt return yards, kickoff return yards and kick-return touchdowns.
The former Kansas State Wildcat was named Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2015, and he was selected to four All-CFL Teams and six All-CFL Divisional Teams. He appeared in five Grey Cups, capturing the 109th championship in 2022 with Toronto.
The No. 1 overall selection in the 1990 CFL Canadian Draft, Sean Millington, went on to play 194 games in a 13-season (1991-2002, 2005) career spent with Edmonton, BC, Winnipeg and Toronto. Millington rushed for 6,086 yards, while totalling 9,322 yards from scrimmage and scoring 87 touchdowns. In addition to his offensive prowess, he recorded 176 special teams tackles to rank fourth all-time.
The former Simon Fraser University standout played 148 games with the Lions, where he won two Most Outstanding Canadian awards (1997 and 2000) and two Grey Cups (1994 and 2000).
Calvin Tiggle played for Toronto and Hamilton during an eight‑season (1994-2001), 127‑game CFL career. He tallied 121 defensive tackles in his debut season with the Argonauts, which still stands as a franchise record, as well as a league record for first-year players. He went on to total 662 to rank 13th all-time, while recording at least 50 each season.
The Georgia Tech alumnus was named to three All-CFL Teams and four Divisional All-CFL Teams. He appeared in two Grey Cups, winning in 1999 with Hamilton to complete a season in which he also captured Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
Charleston Hughes played for 14 seasons (2008-22), amassing 202 games with Calgary, Saskatchewan and Toronto. He led the league in sacks on five occasions and currently sits fifth all-time (136). He ended his career with 526 defensive tackles, 16 defensive takeaways, three defensive touchdowns and 52 tackles for a loss. He is tied for the most sacks in Stampeders history (99).
The Northwood University product was a finalist for Most Outstanding Defensive Player honours in 2013, and he was named to six All-CFL Teams and six All-CFL Divisional Teams. He reached the post-season 11 times, advancing to four Grey Cup games and winning the 96th championship with Calgary.
A standout from the University of Oregon, Jim Evenson reached the century mark in games-played over seven seasons (1968-74) with BC and Ottawa. He recorded four 1,000‑yard rushing campaigns, posting 19 games with 100+ yards. When Evenson retired in 1974, he ranked sixth in career rushing yards (7,060) and he still sits No. 13 all-time. He led the league in rushing in 1971 (1,237 yards) and he finished his career with 8,207 yards from scrimmage.
Evenson was named All-CFL on two occasions and Divisional All-CFL on five. He was instrumental in his lone Grey Cup appearance, leading the game in rushing and scoring the deciding touchdown as Ottawa defeated Edmonton in the 61st Grey Cup in 1973.
Following six years as an assistant with his alma mater, the University of Oklahoma, Frank ‘Pop’ Ivy was named Head Coach of Edmonton prior to the 1954 season. He guided the team to an 11-5 mark in his first year and across four seasons, he compiled a 50-14 regular season record for a .781 winning percentage – the highest in league history. He is one of three head coaches with at least 10 victories in every season at the helm, and his 14 consecutive regular season wins across 1954-55 is tied for the second longest streak in CFL history.
Edmonton finished first in the Western Interprovincial Football Union in each of Ivy’s seasons; he is one of five head coaches to accomplish the feat in at least four consecutive campaigns. He led the team to a Grey Cup victory in his debut season – Edmonton’s first-ever championship and the first of three consecutive titles.
Photo courtesy CFL