Keith Spaith (April 8, 1923 – March 1, 1976) was a Canadian football player for the Calgary Stampeders from 1948 to 1954.

Early life

Spaith was born in Dinuba, California. He played college football with Saint Mary's College of California and later transferred to University of Southern California.

Career

In 1947, Spaith played one season in the Pacific Coast Professional Football League, with the Hawaiian Warriors. His team finished 7–2 and won the league title, though it was later discovered that players had bet on games. Spaith was one of 14 suspended.

Western Interprovincial Football Union

Spaith joined the Calgary Stampeders in 1948. In his rookie season he led the Stamps to an undefeated 12–0 record (the last team in Canadian professional football to do so) and won the

Grey Cup The Grey Cup (french: Coupe Grey) is both the championship game of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the trophy awarded to the victorious team playing in the namesake championship of professional Canadian football. The game is contested be ...

. In that victory he played all 60 minutes, and even intercepted a pass. He was also an all-star and winner of the

Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy The Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy is a trophy awarded to the Canadian Football League West Division's most outstanding player, chosen from the nominees from each team in the division. Either this trophy winner or the winner of the Terry Evanshen T ...

as best player in the west. In 1949 the Cowboys went 13–1 but lost the Grey Cup to the Montreal Alouettes. Regardless, once again Spaith was an all-star and MVP award winner. The Stamps, under his leadership, had a 25-win and 1-loss regular season record in his first two years. Spaith played five more seasons with Calgary. He completed 555 of 1166 passes for 8906 yards, with 23 touchdown passes and 52 interceptions. He also punted 397 times. After his football career, he returned to the United States and worked in the construction business.

Personal life

Spaith and his wife Betty and two sons and a daughter. His oldest son, Robert Spaith, is a well-known sculptor in Alberta, Canada. He died, age 52, in March 1976.Calgary Stampederes Press Release, 25 Sept 2001, SPAITH AND LISKE THE 2002 STAMPEDER ALUMNI WALL OF FAME INDUCTEES In 2002, he was inducted into the ''Stampeders Alumni Wall of Fame''.

References

External links

Just Sports Stats
1923 births 1976 deaths American football quarterbacks Canadian football quarterbacks American players of Canadian football Saint Mary's Gaels football players Sportspeople from Tulare County, California USC Trojans football players Calgary Stampeders players Players of American football from California People from Dinuba, California {{Canadianfootball-bio-stub