PSU’s Champs from the CFL/USFL/UFL
Penn State’s non-NFL Champion Players—
Canadian Football League (CFL) Grey Cup Champions
Tommy Stevens QB—Saskatchewan Roughriders 2025
Reggie Givens LB—Baltimore Stallions 1995 (inactive for Championship game), Toronto Argonauts 1996 & 1997 (see Nittany Notes at bottom)
John Hufnagel QB—Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1984 (also won 4 additional Grey Cups as Coach/Executive with Calgary Stampeders in 1992, 2008, 2014, & 2018)
Charlie Zapiec LB—Ottawa Rough Riders 1973, Montreal Alouettes 1974 & 1977
Steve Smear DT—Montreal Alouettes 1970
Original USFL (1983-85) Champions
Chuck Fusina QB—Philadelphia Stars 1984 & Baltimore Stars 1985
Scott Fitzkee WR—Philadelphia Stars 1984 & Baltimore Stars 1985
Tom Donovan WR—Philadelphia Stars 1984 & Baltimore Stars 1985
Pete Kugler DT—Philadelphia Stars 1984 & Baltimore Stars 1985
Dave Opfar DT/DE—Philadelphia Stars 1984 & Baltimore Stars 1985
Ron Coder OG—Philadelphia Stars 1984 & Baltimore Stars 1985
Roger Jackson DB—Philadelphia Stars 1984 (on Injured Reserve)
Ron Crosby LB—Baltimore Stars 1985
Bill Dugan OG—Baltimore Stars 1985
UFL (2024-present) United Bowl Champions
Keaton Ellis S—Louisville Kings 2026
Nittany Notes:
The 1995 Baltimore Stallions are the only US-based CFL team to ever win the Grey Cup Championship… They were part of a short-lived expansion experiment involved 5 American franchises in the 1994 and 1995 seasons…
Three former Penn State players actually have ties to the ‘95 Grey Cup champs—Reggie Givens LB, Gary Wilkerson CB, & Mike Alexander WR… Givens was the only one to complete the season with Baltimore and he did not play in the title game against Calgary… The Stallions beat Doug Flutie and the Stampeders, 37-20 for the Cup… Calgary’s Offensive Coordinator was former Penn State QB John Hufnagel (PS 1970-72)…
As for the 3 PSU players—
Mike Alexander (PS SE/FL 1985-87) is probably best remembered for his 39-yard TD catch (from Matt Knizner) in the 1988 Citrus Bowl loss to Clemson… Mike was with Baltimore in 1994, as well, appearing in 10 games as a Slotback/Special Teamer (3 receptions, 1 TD)… He would be released a few games into the 1995 season…
Gary Wlkerson (PS CB 1985-87) was signed in July and released in August of 1995 after playing in 4 games and collecting 1 of his 19 career CFL INTs… Wilkerson is best remembered for his time with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1990-94) where he had 4 of his 5 career Pick-6’s and 2 fumble recoveries for TDs…
Reggie Givens (PS LB 1989-92) appeared in only 4 games for Baltimore collecting 7 tackles in the championship season while playing a backup role at MLB… Givens would become a CFL all-star with Toronto in 1996 and 1997 winning two more Grey Cups as an LB/DE… He would also set a CFL record for fumble recovery yardage in 1997 (182 yards)…
Givens is likely best remembered at Penn State for his performance in the 1992 Fiesta Bowl victory over #10 Tennessee… Reggie was named the bowl’s defensive MVP as he helped lead a second half defensive attack that flipped the 10-7 halftime deficit into a stunning 42-17 win… Notably, he broke up a fake punt attempt by tackling the UT punter and he intercepted Vols QB Andy Kelly in the 3rd period to set up a PSU TD… Givens then capped it off with a memorable play early in the 4th quarter… Andy Kelly drops back to pass…. Derek Bochna CB comes from Kelly’s right on the blitz… Bochna drills Kelly who has the ball pop forward out of his hands, right into the hands of Givens who races 23 yards to the endzone for the 35-17 lead en route to the 25-point win for the 6th ranked Nittany Lions…