Garney Henley

Class of 1979

While Garney Henley appeared to be one of the least likely candidates for super stardom, but the slender young man from South Dakota excelled at both defence and offence.

Henley played all 16 seasons of his CFL career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, beginning in 1960. In 216 games as a defensive back, receiver and kick returner, Henley totaled 4,657 receiving yards, 5,209 yards from scrimmage, 2,944 punt return yards, 9,100 combined yards, 59 interceptions and 56 total touchdowns.

At the time of his retirement following the 1975 season, Henley owned Ticats records for most combined yards, most receiving yards, most punt return yards, most total touchdowns, and most receiving touchdowns. He still owns team records for most takeaways (72), most interceptions, most interception return touchdowns (five) and most interception return yards (916). His 216 appearances rank second all-time among Tiger-Cats players.

Over the course of his distinguished CFL career, the Hayti, South Dakota native was nominated for the league’s Most Outstanding Player award six times, winning once in 1972. He was named an All-Canadian and All-Eastern defensive back for nine consecutive seasons from 1963 to 1971, before earning All-Canadian and All-Eastern status as a wide receiver in 1972. He was a monumental part of four of Hamilton’s Grey Cup championships with the Tiger-Cats (1963, 1965, 1967, 1972) and was named to the Tiger-Cats’ Best-of-the-Century Team in 1967. In addition to his status as a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, Garney Henley is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame, University of Guelph Athletics Hall of Fame, Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Playing Career

Hamilton Tiger-Cats
1960 - 1975

Awards/Honours

  • All-Eastern Defensive Back
    1963 - 1971
  • All-Canadian Defensive Back
    1963 - 1971
  • All-Eastern Wide Receiver
    1972
  • All-Canadian Wide Receiver
    1972
  • Schenley Award for Most Outstanding Player
    1972
  • Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy
    1963, 1972
  • Grey Cup Participation
    1961 - 1967, 1972
  • Grey Cup Winning Teams
    1963, 1965, 1967, 1972