A Hamilton native Russ Jackson is widely considered the greatest Canadian-born quarterback ever.
A star athlete in basketball and football at Westdale Secondary School and later McMaster University Jackson went on to an all star career in the Canadian Football League with the Ottawa Rough Riders.
He led Ottawa to three Grey Cup Championships, in 1960, 1968 and 1969.
Three times he was the CFL’s Most Outstanding player and four times he was named the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian.
After his playing days Jackson became a high school principal and served as a colour commentator on Hamilton Ticat broadcasts. He’s a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada.
In addition, the Russ Jackson Award in Canadian university football goes to the player who best combined athletics, academic achievement and community service.