Larry Smith has pretty much seen and done it all in the CFL. The 71-year-old Hudson, Que., native has been a player (1972-81, Montreal Alouettes), team executive (Alouettes president 1997-01, 2004-10) and served as CFL commissioner (1992-97).
He spearheaded the league's foray into the U.S. during one of its most tumultuous stretches. On Thursday, Smith was named for induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a builder. "It's something as a player [and] as an administrator I never really though too much about," Smith said. "As a player, I played with great individuals and having had a coach like Marv Levy was not only an honour but a tremendous growing experience because you learned a lot about human dynamics.
The '23 class includes linebacker Solomon Elimimian, defensive lineman John Bowman, defensive back Larry Crawford and Canadian offensive linemen Josh Bourke and Lloyd Fairbanks.
Jacques Dussault was also named as a builder. All will be formally inducted Sept. 15. Chris Schultz, a former Toronto Argonauts offensive lineman and TSN broadcaster, will be posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame's media wing on Nov.