Former Roughrider linebacker Dave Albright dies at 63

Former Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker David Albright has passed away after a heart attack.

He was 63.

We lost a great one… #39 Dave Albright. He was a great leader and made one the best plays of our Grey Cup run in 1989. RIP Davey

— Jeff Fairholm (@Slotback18) January 28, 2023

Albright spent six CFL seasons with the Riders and was a part of the 1989 Grey Cup-winning team. He played in 76 regular-season games with the Roughriders.

He’s best remembered in Saskatchewan for one play in the 1989 West Division final.

In the second quarter of a game in Edmonton, Roughriders linebacker Eddie Lowe hit quarterback Tracy Ham and forced a fumble. Albright scooped up the ball and ran 62 yards for a touchdown.

The Roughriders went on to upset Edmonton 32-21 to advance to the Grey Cup. In that game, Saskatchewan beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 43-40 in the CFL championship game, winning its second Grey Cup in franchise history.

Albright set the team record in 1987 for tackles in a single season with 118. That record lasted for 35 years before being broken in 2022 by Darnell Sankey.

The Roughriders shared their thought on Albright’s passing: “We know he had many ties to the province from his time playing in Saskatchewan, and we send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”