The 2010 CFL season is the 57th season of modern-day Canadian football. Officially, it is the 53rd Canadian Football League season. Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton hosted the 98th Grey Cup on November 28 when the Montreal Alouettes became the first team to repeat as Grey Cup Champions in 13 years, defeating the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 21–18. The league announced on its Twitter page on January 29, 2010, that the season would start on July 1, 2010. As of 2026 this is the most recent CFL regular season to start in July.
CFL news in 2010
CFL retro
As the league approaches the 100th Grey Cup, the CFL celebrated the 1970s with all eight teams wearing retro-themed uniforms from that era during Weeks 6 and 7. Since Saskatchewan's alternate jersey is a version of the 1970s home jersey, they were the only team to wear both home and away retro jerseys during these games.
Additionally, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the players donned red and black centennial jerseys that the team wore from 1912 to 1947 on July 17 when they played Edmonton at Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field in Regina.
Debut of the Moncton series The CFL began a series of annual games in Moncton, New Brunswick, during the 2010 season. The first game, marketed under the "Touchdown Atlantic" banner, took place on September 26, as the Edmonton Eskimos defeated the Toronto Argonauts, 24–6, in front of a sold out crowd of 20,725 at the new Moncton Stadium. Tickets for the game sold out within 32 hours of going on sale. The success of Touchdown Atlantic 2010 has moved Moncton towards a position of candidate for CFL expansion.
Labour agreement The collective bargaining agreement between the CFL and the CFL Players' Association expires on June 5, 2010. Negotiations between the two parties have been stalled since October 2009; a meeting is scheduled on April 26, 2010, in Toronto. Stu Laird, president of the CFLPA, has sent e-mails to all players. According to Canwest News Service, the e-mails advise the players to remain unified and "It continues to be the opinion of the executive committee that a CFL management lockout of the players is a very real possibility."
On June 29, 2010, two days before the start of the regular season, it was announced that the CFL and CFLPA had agreed to a new 4-year CBA, set to expire before the 2014 CFL season. While many changes were made, the most prominent were those made to the salaries and the introduction of a drug policy. The 2010 team salary cap is set at $4,250,000 with a team salary floor of $3,900,000 and a minimum player salary of $42,000.https://www.cfl.ca/article/media-backgrounder-new-cba New CFL-CFLPA CBA at a glance The salary cap is set to increase $50,000 per season, reaching $4,400,000 by 2013, with the floor being $4,000,000 by that time. The minimum player salary is set to increase by $1000 per season until 2013 where it would be $45,000.
Rule changes Like in the 2009 CFL season, another fan contest on what rule changes the fans wanted to see was done, this time the fans were asked by Commissioner Mark Cohon to focus on what changes could be made to the overtime format to improve it. While a complete overhaul of the format such as going to a "mini game" of playing two 5 minute no quarter halves or eliminating over time in the regular season, fans endorsed the current overtime format with one significant change. The four rules changes for the season approved by the rules committee, including a change to overtime the fans call on in the contest, are as follows:
Changes to overtime
Teams that score a touchdown in overtime must go for a two-point convert by running or passing the ball into the end zone instead of kicking for a single point. A similar rule is used in United States intercollegiate football, where a similar overtime is used, starting with the third overtime session (overtime sessions are unlimited). This rule has been experimented in other football leagues like the World Football League and the XFL.
Changes in regulation
Will allow a team that gives up a field goal the option of scrimmaging from its 35-yard line instead of receiving a kick-off. In 2009, this option was eliminated, but has been overturned as it failed to make any significant difference in entertainment value as it was intended, and was unpopular with the coaches. Will ensure there is no penalty for pass interference applied if a forward pass is deemed uncatchable. Fixing the no yards or halo rule that will result in a penalty of five instead of fifteen yards when a ball is punted, hits the ground and hits a player from the covering team.
Broadcasting TSN remains the exclusive broadcaster for all CFL games in Canada. In the United States, the CFL ended its longstanding agreement with America One and signed a more limited deal with NFL Network, which will air 14 games for the season (as opposed to the roughly 70 games per year carried by America One). As with America One, NFL Network will simulcast the TSN broadcast. RDS remains the exclusive French broadcaster of the CFL showing all 18 Montreal Alouettes regular season games and all of the CFL Playoffs.
Records and milestones On October 11, 2010, Ben Cahoon became the CFL's all-time reception leader, catching his 1,007th career pass from Anthony Calvillo in a home game against the Calgary Stampeders. November 7, 2010, saw the first time that a regular season Buffalo Bills home game at Rogers Centre in Toronto had been played during the regular CFL season; the Bills against the Chicago Bears kicked off at 1:00 pm, while the Toronto Argonauts kicked off their final regular season game at the Montreal Alouettes at 4:00 pm.
Regular season
Hamilton finished ahead of Toronto in the standings because they won their head-to-head regular season series 3–0.
Award winners
CFL Player of the Week
WeekOffensive Player of the WeekDefensive Player of the WeekSpecial Teams Player of the WeekOutstanding CanadianOne Darian Durant Joe Lobendahn Marcus Thigpen Andy FantuzTwo Buck Pierce Brent Hawkins Chad Owens Etienne BoulayThree Kevin Glenn Maurice Lloyd Noel Prefontaine Dave StalaFour Romby Bryant John Bowman Jovon Johnson Jon CornishFive Arland Bruce Chris Thompson Luca Congi Andy FantuzSix Cory Boyd Chip Cox Tim Maypray Dave StalaSeven Chad Owens Jerrell Freeman Kelly Campbell Matt Kirk Eight Brandon Whitaker Chip Cox Jovon Johnson Andre DurieNine Ken-Yon Rambo James Patrick Noel Prefontaine Jon CornishTen Kevin Glenn Brandon Smith Markeith Knowlton Dave StalaEleven Henry Burris Ronald Flemons Andrew Harris Jerome MessamTwelve Andy Fantuz Markeith Knowlton Chad Owens Andy FantuzThirteen Anthony Calvillo Elliott Richardson Yonus Davis Elliott RichardsonFourteen Henry Burris Rod Davis Chad Owens Andy FantuzFifteen Anthony Calvillo Anwar Stewart Colt David Doug BrownSixteen Daniel Porter Stevie Baggs Derek Schiavone Chris GetzlafSeventeen Kevin Glenn Stevie Baggs Chad Owens Chris BaumanEighteen Anthony Calvillo Ryan Phillips Chad Owens Ian LoganNineteen Travis Lulay Keon Raymond Justin Palardy Spencer WattTwenty Weston Dressler Lance Frazier Paul McCallum Jason Clermont Source
CFL Player of the Month MonthOffensive Player of the MonthDefensive Player of the MonthSpecial Teams Player of the MonthOutstanding CanadianJuly Anthony Calvillo John Bowman Marcus Thigpen Andy FantuzAugust Cory Boyd Chip Cox Yonus Davis Kevin EibenSeptember Darian Durant Ronald Flemons Chad Owens Andy FantuzOctober Henry Burris Stevie Baggs Chad Owens Andy Fantuz Source
CFL playoffs
The Montreal Alouettes became the first team to repeat as Grey Cup Champions in 13 years, defeating the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 21–18 at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium. Alouettes' wide receiver Jamel Richardson was named the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player, and Roughriders' defensive tackle, Keith Shologan was named the Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian.
Playoff bracket
*-Team won in Double Overtime.
CFL leaders CFL passing leaders CFL rushing leaders CFL receiving leaders
2010 CFL All-Stars
Offence QB – Henry Burris, Calgary Stampeders RB – Cory Boyd, Toronto Argonauts RB – Fred Reid, Winnipeg Blue Bombers WR – Arland Bruce III, Hamilton Tiger-Cats SB – Andy Fantuz, Saskatchewan Roughriders SB – Nik Lewis, Calgary Stampeders WR – Terrence Edwards, Winnipeg Blue Bombers OT – Ben Archibald, Calgary Stampeders OT – Rob Murphy, Toronto Argonauts OG – Scott Flory, Montreal Alouettes OG – Dimitri Tsoumpas, Calgary Stampeders OC – Marwan Hage, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Defence DT – Doug Brown, Winnipeg Blue Bombers DT – Kevin Huntley, Toronto Argonauts DE – Phillip Hunt, Winnipeg Blue Bombers DE – John Bowman, Montreal Alouettes LB – Chip Cox, Montreal Alouettes LB – Markeith Knowlton, Hamilton Tiger-Cats LB – Juwan Simpson, Calgary Stampeders CB – Dwight Anderson, Calgary Stampeders CB – Brandon Browner, Calgary Stampeders DB – Ryan Phillips, BC Lions DB – Chris Thompson, Edmonton Eskimos S – James Patrick, Saskatchewan Roughriders
Special teams K – Paul McCallum, BC Lions P – Burke Dales, Calgary Stampeders ST – Chad Owens, Toronto Argonauts
2010 CFL Western All-Stars
Offence QB – Henry Burris, Calgary Stampeders RB – Wes Cates, Saskatchewan Roughriders RB – Joffrey Reynolds, Calgary Stampeders WR – Romby Bryant, Calgary Stampeders SB – Andy Fantuz, Saskatchewan Roughriders SB – Nik Lewis, Calgary Stampeders WR – Fred Stamps, Edmonton Eskimos OT – Ben Archibald, Calgary Stampeders OT – Gene Makowsky, Saskatchewan Roughriders OG – Jovan Olafioye, BC Lions OG – Dimitri Tsoumpas, Calgary Stampeders OC – Jeremy O'Day, Saskatchewan Roughriders
Defence DT – DeVone Claybrooks, Calgary Stampeders DT – Tom Johnson, Calgary Stampeders DE – Charleston Hughes, Calgary Stampeders DE – Brent Johnson, BC Lions LB – Korey Banks, BC Lions LB – Barrin Simpson, Saskatchewan Roughriders LB – Juwan Simpson, Calgary Stampeders CB – Dwight Anderson, Calgary Stampeders CB – Brandon Browner, Calgary Stampeders DB – Ryan Phillips, BC Lions DB – Chris Thompson, Edmonton Eskimos S – James Patrick, Saskatchewan Roughriders
Special teams K – Paul McCallum, BC Lions P – Burke Dales, Calgary Stampeders ST – Yonus Davis, BC Lions
2010 CFL Eastern All-Stars
Offence QB – Anthony Calvillo, Montreal Alouettes RB – Cory Boyd, Toronto Argonauts RB – Fred Reid, Winnipeg Blue Bombers WR – Arland Bruce III, Hamilton Tiger-Cats WR – Terrence Edwards, Winnipeg Blue Bombers WR – Jamel Richardson, Montreal Alouettes WR – Dave Stala, Hamilton Tiger-Cats OT – Josh Bourke, Montreal Alouettes OT – Rob Murphy, Toronto Argonauts OG – Scott Flory, Montreal Alouettes OG – Brendon LaBatte, Winnipeg Blue Bombers OC – Marwan Hage, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Defence DT – Doug Brown, Winnipeg Blue Bombers DT – Kevin Huntley, Toronto Argonauts DE – John Bowman, Montreal Alouettes DE – Phillip Hunt, Winnipeg Blue Bombers LB – Chip Cox, Montreal Alouettes LB – Kevin Eiben, Toronto Argonauts LB – Markeith Knowlton, Hamilton Tiger-Cats CB – Mark Estelle, Montreal Alouettes CB – Jovon Johnson, Winnipeg Blue Bombers DB – Jerald Brown, Montreal Alouettes DB – Lin-J Shell, Toronto Argonauts S – Willie Pile, Toronto Argonauts
Special teams K – Damon Duval, Montreal Alouettes P – Mike Renaud, Winnipeg Blue Bombers ST – Chad Owens, Toronto Argonauts
2010 CFLPA Pro Player All-Stars
Offence QB: Anthony Calvillo, Montreal Alouettes OT: Ben Archibald, Calgary Stampeders OT: Dan Goodspeed, Saskatchewan Roughriders OG: Cedric Gagne-Marcoux, Toronto Argonauts OG: Patrick Kabongo, Edmonton Eskimos C: Marwan Hage, Hamilton Tiger Cats RB: Cory Boyd, Toronto Argonauts RB: Fred Reid, Winnipeg Blue Bombers SB: Arland Bruce III, Hamilton Tiger Cats SB: Fred Stamps, Edmonton Eskimos WR: Romby Bryant. Calgary Stampeders WR: Jamal Richardson, Montreal Alouettes
Defence DE: Phillip Hunt, Winnipeg Blue Bombers DE: Odell Willis, Winnipeg Blue Bombers DT: Doug Brown, Winnipeg Blue Bombers DT: Dario Romero, Edmonton Eskimos