Stew Barber was a professional football player who played as a running back in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for 12 seasons. He was born in Toronto, Canada, and attended the University of Western Ontario, where he played college football.
Barber began his professional career in 1961 with the Toronto Argonauts, where he played for six seasons. He quickly established himself as one of the best running backs in the league, earning CFL All-Star honors in 1962, 1963, and 1964. In 1963, he led the league in rushing yards with 1,360 and was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player.
In 1967, Barber was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, where he played for four seasons. He continued to be a dominant force on the field, earning CFL All-Star honors in 1968 and 1969. In 1970, he helped lead the Tiger-Cats to a Grey Cup championship, rushing for 127 yards and two touchdowns in the championship game.
After four seasons with the Tiger-Cats, Barber was traded to the Ottawa Rough Riders, where he played for two seasons before retiring in 1982. Over the course of his career, he rushed for 7,891 yards and scored 60 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
Off the field, Barber was known for his philanthropic work. He was a founding member of the CFL Players' Association and served as its president from 1965 to 1967. He also founded the Stew Barber Memorial Golf Tournament, which raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Overall, Stew Barber was one of the greatest running backs in CFL history. He was a dominant force on the field and a respected leader off the field. His contributions to the game and to his community will not be forgotten.
🏈