Former CFL pioneer and Norman Kwong dead at 86
CALGARY — The China Clipper sailed to the rescue of more than one professional sports team — as a bruising football fullback, a tenacious front-office manager in the CFL and part-owner of his home-town hockey squad, the Calgary Flames.
Norman Kwong, who was the first Chinese Canadian to play in the CFL and who later served as Alberta’s lieutenant governor, died Saturday at the age of 86.
“Mr. Kwong was proud to be the son of Chinese immigrants. He was an Alberta success story from an early age. From his storied career in the Canadian Football League to his later co-ownership of the Calgary Flames, he was a champion on the field of play and in life,” Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said in a statement.
“He gave his time generously to non-profit and voluntary organizations across the country. His contributions to public life earned him many honours, including the Order of Canada.”