Several legends in attendance for the Montreal Alouettes’ 80th anniversary

The Montreal Alouettes marked the occasion on Thursday by bringing together several iconic figures from their history to celebrate their 80th anniversary.

Among the guests in attendance, Mike Pringle and Anthony Calvillo shared their memories of an era that left a lasting mark on the Montreal franchise.

Having traveled from Atlanta to take part in the celebrations, Mike Pringle had every reason to be smiling. The former running back, who was also celebrating his 59th birthday, took advantage of his visit to Montreal to reconnect with several former teammates and see for himself that his ties with the fans remain strong.

“It's always a pleasure and an honor to come back here,” he said, recalling the many memories associated with the city. Even several years after the end of his career, Pringle says he is still recognized on the streets of Montreal.

The evening also reignited an interesting question: Which former player might be the next to have his number retired by the Alouettes?

Was the last player to receive this honor Bob? No—the organization had instead immortalized Don's number. In fact, the last player to be honored was Dave?

Tracy Ham at the Center of the Discussion

Among the names mentioned, Tracy Ham's stood out in particular. Jim Popp, former general manager and head coach of the Alouettes, highlighted the quarterback's significant influence on several generations of players.

Anthony Calvillo also recalled Ham's importance in his professional development. According to him, the former quarterback taught him valuable lessons about preparation and the demands of the profession.

Mike Pringle even considers Ham a true member of his sports family. He believes his former teammate was one of the first to fully believe in his abilities and played a pivotal role in the rise of his career.

Pringle's statistics, in fact, attest to the impact of that generation. With 16,425 rushing yards, he still holds the Canadian Football League record.

Inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2010, Tracy Ham could one day join the ranks of players whose numbers have been immortalized in Alouettes history.

For Pringle, the idea would be entirely fitting. He'd like to see Ham's No. 8 displayed in the stands, next to his own, as a tribute to the man who meant so much to his career.

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