Local author explores Ottawa Rough Riders’ historic 1981 Grey Cup run

The Ottawa Rough Riders were 5-11 and just squeaked into the playoffs in 1981, only to find themselves an overwhelming underdog at each stop.

A local author is diving in the annals of Ottawa sports history in his latest book that tells the story of the Ottawa Rough Riders’ unlikely 1981 Grey Cup run.

Howie Mooney’s latest book, “An Unlikely Story: How the 1981 Ottawa Rough Riders Just Missed a Miracle,” recounts the now defunct CFL club’s underdog journey, going from a 5-11 regular season record to Grey Cup finalists.

“It’s an underdog story. It’s a story about a bunch of guys who came together in the end,” Mooney told CTV Your Morning Ottawa on Tuesday.

Things started poorly for the club that year, Mooney says, with the team losing their starting quarterback before the season even kicked off.

According to Mooney, it was only in the last third of the season that the Rough Riders started to put things together.

The team managed to qualify for the playoffs despite their poor record, and while they were far from favoured heading into the post season, they ended up defying expectations.

“They were underdogs going into the playoffs, they beat Montreal. They were underdogs going into the Eastern Final, they shocked Hamilton,” Mooney said.

Ottawa entered the 69th Grey Cup as 22.5-point underdogs against Edmonton but came out swinging.

“At halftime in the Grey Cup Game, Ottawa’s ahead 20 to 1,” Mooney said.

“They run off the field going into the locker room at half time, the crowd gives them a standing ovation. Nobody expected for them to be even competitive in this game.”

Ultimately, after a second half surge from Edmonton and a controversial call from officials in the final minutes of the game, the Rough Riders lost the game by three points, and their miracle season came to an unfortunate end.

But despite their loss in the final game, Mooney says the season was truly remarkable.

“That game in ‘81, that team in ‘81, a special bunch of guys,” Mooney said.

While the Rough Riders would play in Ottawa for another 15 years following the 1981 season, Mooney says this was the franchise’s last real chance at securing a title.

“That ‘81 team, was the last gasp of a century-old franchise,” said Mooney.

“They had some decent seasons, but never really went into the playoffs far like they did in ‘81, and they never got to a Grey Cup again until 2016 when the Redblacks won.”

Mooney says his book “An Unlikely Story: How the 1981 Ottawa Rough Riders Just Missed a Miracle” is available to purchase on Amazon or at the Lansdowne Sports Team Merchandise shop at Lansdowne Park.

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