Johnny Bright

Class of 1970

While attending Drake University in Iowa, Johnny Bright set 20 records in football, track and field, and basketball. He was the first draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1951.

During his Canadian career, Bright carried the ball 1,969 times for 10,909 yards and 70 touchdowns. Bright was the league’s leading rusher in 1957, 1958, and 1959, and carried for over 1,000 yards five seasons in a row. In 1957 bright had nine 100-yard rushing games, eight of them consecutive.

Johnny Bright is also a member of the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame, the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, the Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame, and the Edmonton Eskimos Wall of Fame.

Playing Career

Calgary Stampeders
1952 - 1954
Edmonton Eskimos
1954 - 1964

Awards/Honours

  • All-Western Running Back
    1952, 1957 - 1961
  • Eddie James Memorial Trophy
    1952, 1957 - 1959
  • Edmonton Athlete of the Year
    1959
  • Schenley Award for Most Outstanding Player
    1959
  • Grey Cup Participation
    1954 - 1956, 1960
  • Grey Cup Winning Teams
    1954 - 1956