Herb Capozzi

Herb Capozzi is one of the legendary names in BC sports history.  Capozzi played football and basketball at UBC in the 1940s, including playing on the first football team when college football resumed after the end of WWII.  Capozzi was drafted by the New York Giants of the NFL, and offered a contract, but chose to take a Rotary International scholarship to the University of Perugia in Italy for two years instead. While attending university in Italy, Capozzi continued to play basketball, and one of the teams he played with was the Italian national team  One of their opponents was the famous Harlem Globetrotters, who as usual won the game.   When Capozzi resumed his football career, it was with the Calgary Stampeders in 1952.  Capozzi went on to play three years (1953-55) with the Montreal Alouttes during the glory years of Sam "The Rifle" Etcheverry.  After his playing days were over, Capozzi returned to BC and became the General Manager of the BC Lions for 10 years.  After that, Capozzi was a member of the BC Legislature for two terms (7.5 years) and then founded the Vancouver Whitecaps of the North American Soccer League. In business, Capozzi brought the first McDonald's franchises to Canada and founded The Keg line of restaurants.  In 2008, Capozzi was presented with the Order of British Columbia. Herb Capozzi passed away on November 21, 2011.

Herb Capozzi in wikipedia

Herb Capozzi Biography from the Order of British Columbia

Herb Capozzi Passes Away - November 21, 2011

Games Played
Year Team GP
1952 CAL
1953 MON 13
1954 MON 12
1955 MON 12

Official CFL game participation stats wee not kept during these years.  The Montreal values come from the 2006 Montreal media guide.

 

Herb Capozzi

Herb Capozzi

Herb Capozzi