February 6, 2020

Eskimos Free Agent Greats – Willie Pless

Middle linebacker Willie Pless was part of a six-player trade package the Toronto Argonauts sent to the BC Lions to acquire quarterback Matt Dunigan in 1990.

It may have been the only time in his CFL career that Pless didn’t stand alone among his peers.

Pless was the East Division’s nominee as Most Outstanding Rookie and a CFL All-Star in his first season with the Argos in 1986 and simply got better from there.

After one season in BC, Pless signed as a free agent with the Eskimos on Feb. 27th, 1991. One of the best defensive players to ever suit up in the CFL, he would win an unprecedented five Most Outstanding Defensive Player awards during eight seasons in Edmonton, including four in a row from 1994-97.

The five-foot-11, 209-pound Pless was undersized for a linebacker, but made up for his physical limitations with quickness and desire. He was a CFL All-Star 11 times – including all eight seasons in Edmonton – during a 14-year career, recorded 100 or more defensive tackles seven times and led the league in tackles four times. He still ranks as the CFL’s all-time leader with 1,241 tackles (the stat has only been recorded since 1987), made three Grey Cup appearances – winning his only championship with the Eskimos in 1993, and proved to be durable, playing all 18 regular-season games 10 times and 142 games overall with the Eskimos.

Incidentally, Pless finished his career with 39 interceptions and 39 fumble recoveries, matching his uniform number in both cases.

Pless, whose final CFL season was with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1999, returned to Edmonton in 2000 to retire as an Eskimo, playing a couple of defensive series during the first pre-season game.

“Willie Pless is one of the greatest linebackers in CFL and Eskimos’ history,” Edmonton General Manager Tom Higgins said. “It is only fitting that he play his last game as an Edmonton Eskimo.”

Pless, who used to play on the Eskimos basketball team in the off-season, often partnered with his good friend Henry (Gizmo) Williams to make school appearances, etc., in Edmonton and throughout rural Alberta. He settled in Edmonton after his playing career and ran a personal trainer business. He was also named an Eskimos community ambassador in 2011 and 2015.

In 2004, Pless became the 23rd player added to the Eskimos’ Wall of Honour and was inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame in 2005.