Stampeders’ Hopkins to step down after 55 years

CALGARY – Calgary Stampeders equipment manager George Hopkins will step down after 55 years with the team at the end of the CFL season.

Hopkins was hired by the team at age 13 as a ball boy in 1972 and has overseen equipment since 1977.

The mainstay on the Stampeders’ sideline has missed only five games during his career.

Hopkins has won six Grey Cup championships with Calgary in 1992, 1998, 2001, 2008, 2014 and 2018.

Including pre-season, regular season, playoffs and the Grey Cup, Hopkins will work his 1,094th game Saturday when the Stampeders host the B.C. Lions at McMahon Stadium.

It will be the last regular-season game of the season for the Stampeders, who end on a bye week with murky playoff prospects.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2026.