Anthony Calvillo
Anthony Calvillo (born August 23, 1972) is an American-born Canadian football coach and former professional quarterback who spent 20 seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1994 to 2013, establishing himself as one of the league's all-time greats through his record-shattering passing statistics and leadership in multiple Grey Cup victories.[1][2] Born in East Los Angeles, California, Calvillo grew up in La Puente and excelled in multiple sports during his youth, later playing college football at Mt. San Antonio College and Utah State University, where he was named MVP of the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl.[3][4] His professional career began with the Las Vegas Posse in 1994, followed by stints with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 1995 to 1997, before joining the Montreal Alouettes in 1998, where he became the starting quarterback in 2000 and remained for the bulk of his tenure.[2][3] With the Alouettes, Calvillo guided the team to eight Grey Cup appearances (2000, 2002–2003, 2005–2006, 2008–2010) and secured three championships in 2002, 2009, and 2010, earning Grey Cup MVP honors in 2002 for his performance of 332 passing yards and three touchdowns.[2][5] He was recognized as the CFL's Most Outstanding Player three times, in 2003, 2008, and 2009, and appeared in 329 regular-season games, ranking second all-time among quarterbacks.[2][5] Calvillo holds a plethora of CFL passing records, including the all-time leaders in yards (79,816), touchdown passes (455), completions (5,892), and attempts (9,437), along with 125 games of 300 or more passing yards and Grey Cup records for passing yards (2,470) and touchdowns (9).[2][5] His No. 13 jersey was retired by the Alouettes in 2014, and he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2017.[2][5] Following his playing career, Calvillo transitioned into coaching, serving as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the Alouettes from 2015 to 2017 and again from 2022 onward—contributing to their 2023 Grey Cup win. He obtained Canadian citizenship in 2021 and continues to be involved with the Alouettes as an ambassador.[5][3][5]Early life
Family background
Anthony Calvillo was born on August 23, 1972, in East Los Angeles, California, and moved to La Puente, a suburb of Los Angeles, in 1976, to Mexican-American parents.[3][6][7] His mother, Tina, worked tirelessly to support the family after divorcing his alcoholic and abusive father, who was largely absent from Anthony's life.[6][8] Calvillo grew up alongside two brothers, David and Mario, in a working-class household in La Puente marked by domestic violence, poverty, and gang influences in the neighborhood; his older brother David often intervened to protect the family but later served eight years in prison for attempted murder.[9][6] These challenges created a turbulent childhood, where Calvillo buried his emotions and found solace in sports as an escape from the violence and instability at home.[8][9] As a Mexican-American, Calvillo was raised in a close-knit family environment influenced by cultural traditions.[9] This heritage shaped his early years by instilling resilience and a strong sense of family loyalty, even as the abuse he witnessed motivated him to break the cycle of violence in his own life.[8][7]High school career
Anthony Calvillo attended La Puente High School in La Puente, California, graduating in 1990. He participated in multiple sports during his high school years, earning recognition as a standout athlete in football and basketball. According to his official biography, he played four sports overall and joined the varsity football team as a sophomore. In football, Calvillo served as the quarterback and led the Warriors to a 7-3 record during his senior season, though the team later forfeited its victories due to an ineligible player. Despite the forfeiture, his performance as a varsity starter from his sophomore year onward highlighted his early talent at the position.[10] Calvillo continued attending La Puente High School. In basketball, he played as a 6-foot-3 senior guard and had a notable performance in a first-round Southern Section 5-AA Division playoff game, scoring 57 points—including a game-winning three-point basket with two seconds left—to secure a 75-73 victory over Bosco Tech.[11]College career
Junior college
After graduating from La Puente High School without Division I scholarship offers due to academic challenges, Anthony Calvillo enrolled at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California, in 1990.[6] He earned the starting quarterback role midway through his freshman season and held it for the remainder of his two years with the Mt. SAC Mounties in 1990 and 1991.[10] Calvillo's play featured precise passing in competitive games, such as a four-yard touchdown throw to receiver Coffee with under seven minutes remaining in a 1990 loss to El Camino College. The following year, he delivered a 28-yard touchdown pass to Jalonn Harrison in the closing seconds of the first half during a narrow defeat to El Camino, contributing to Mt. SAC's effort in a tightly contested matchup.[12] These experiences sharpened Calvillo's quarterback fundamentals, including decision-making under pressure and arm strength, positioning him for recruitment to a four-year program.[13] In recognition of his impact on the team, he was inducted into the Mt. San Antonio College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015.[13]Utah State Aggies
After spending two seasons at Mt. San Antonio College, Anthony Calvillo transferred to Utah State University in 1992, where he played quarterback for the Aggies through the 1993 season.[14] During his time there, Calvillo adapted to the Division I level and became a key leader for the team, earning second-team All-Big West Conference honors in 1993.[4] In 1993, Calvillo set multiple school records, including single-season total offense of 3,260 yards and five touchdown passes in a game on two occasions, such as his performance against Brigham Young University.[4][15] He also achieved six 300-yard passing games that year and was named Big West Conference Player of the Week twice.[4] These accomplishments highlighted his development as a prolific passer and dual-threat quarterback, contributing to the Aggies' offensive resurgence. Calvillo's leadership was instrumental in guiding Utah State to its first Big West Conference championship since 1979, capping the season with a 42–33 victory over Ball State in the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl—the program's first bowl win in history.[4][14] In that game, he was named MVP after throwing for 386 yards and three touchdowns.[4][16] This success marked a landmark campaign for the Aggies, with Calvillo directing thrilling victories like the 58–56 win over BYU.[17]College statistics
Calvillo's statistical performance during his two seasons at Mt. San Antonio College (1990–1991) is not extensively documented in available records, though he served as the starting quarterback and contributed to the team's offense. Detailed statistics from his time at Utah State University (1992–1993) are as follows, showcasing his development as a passer and leader in total offense.[18]Passing Statistics
| Year | Games | Completions | Attempts | Completion % | Yards | TDs | INTs | Yards/Attempt | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 11 | 201 | 360 | 55.8 | 2,494 | 16 | 9 | 6.9 | 123.7 |
| 1993 | 11 | 247 | 469 | 52.7 | 3,148 | 19 | 10 | 6.7 | 118.2 |
| Career | 22 | 448 | 829 | 54.0 | 5,642 | 35 | 19 | 6.8 | 120.6 |
Rushing Statistics
| Year | Games | Attempts | Yards | Yards/Attempt | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 11 | 65 | 84 | 1.3 | 4 |
| 1993 | 11 | 89 | 112 | 1.3 | 4 |
| Career | 22 | 154 | 196 | 1.3 | 8 |
Total Offense Statistics
| Year | Plays | Yards | Yards/Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 425 | 2,578 | 6.1 |
| 1993 | 558 | 3,260 | 5.8 |
| Career | 983 | 5,838 | 5.9 |
Professional playing career
Las Vegas Posse
Following his college career at Utah State, where he had shown promise as a quarterback, Anthony Calvillo went undrafted in the 1994 NFL Draft but signed as a free agent with the newly formed Las Vegas Posse, an expansion team in the Canadian Football League (CFL).[19] The Posse, one of four U.S.-based expansion franchises that year, aimed to bring CFL football to Las Vegas amid the league's ambitious push into American markets.[20] Calvillo quickly earned the starting quarterback role for the Posse in his rookie season, becoming the team's primary signal-caller from the outset.[21] He led the offense in the Posse's inaugural campaign, starting in multiple games and providing stability to a young roster that included other rookies and veterans adapting to the CFL's unique rules.[22] The Posse finished the 1994 season with a 5-13 record, placing last in the West Division and missing the playoffs in their only year of existence.[20] Plagued by low attendance—averaging under 10,000 fans per home game—and financial difficulties, the franchise folded midway through the following offseason, leading to a dispersal draft of its players.[23]Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Following the folding of the Las Vegas Posse after the 1994 season, Anthony Calvillo was selected by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats with the first overall pick in the CFL's dispersal draft in April 1995.[24] He joined a team rebuilding under head coach Don Sutherin, initially serving as a backup quarterback behind veterans like Steve Taylor.[24] Over his three seasons in Hamilton, Calvillo gradually transitioned into a starting role, appearing in 42 games and starting 26 while competing in a quarterback carousel that included Matt Dunigan.[24] His development was marked by flashes of potential, though the team's inconsistent systems and supporting cast limited his overall impact.[24] In 1996, Calvillo showcased his arm strength with standout performances, including a Hamilton single-game record of 542 passing yards against the Montreal Alouettes on October 25, breaking a 34-year-old mark previously set by Joe Zuger.[25] Earlier that season, on October 6, he threw for 518 yards versus the Saskatchewan Roughriders, further highlighting his ability to air out the ball in high-volume passing attacks.[26] These games exemplified his growth from a raw rookie to a capable CFL starter, completing 57.2 percent of his passes for 7,579 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 45 interceptions across his Tiger-Cats tenure.[24] The Tiger-Cats qualified for the playoffs in both 1995 (8-10 record, fourth in the North Division) and 1996 (8-10 record, third in the East Division), but Calvillo's contributions were in relief or spot starts amid team struggles.[27][28] Hamilton lost in the North Semi-Final to the Calgary Stampeders in 1995 and the East Semi-Final to the Montreal Alouettes in 1996.[29] The 1997 season brought significant challenges, with the team finishing 2-16 and last in the East Division, failing to reach the postseason amid coaching changes and the arrival of Danny McManus, which ultimately led to Calvillo's release in March 1998.[24]Montreal Alouettes
Anthony Calvillo joined the Montreal Alouettes in 1998 as a free agent following his release from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, initially serving as a backup to veteran quarterback Tracy Ham.[30] He spent the next 16 seasons with the team through his retirement in 2013, becoming its all-time leader in passing yards, completions, and touchdowns during that period.[30] Taking over as the full-time starter in 2000 after Ham's retirement, Calvillo provided steady leadership that helped revive a franchise struggling for consistency since its relocation from Baltimore in 1996.[30] Under Calvillo's guidance, the Alouettes achieved sustained success, qualifying for the playoffs in 13 of his 16 seasons and reaching eight Grey Cup appearances.[31] He led the team to three Grey Cup victories in 2002, 2009, and 2010, with the 2002 triumph marking the franchise's first championship in 25 years and ending a long postseason drought.[32] In the 2002 Grey Cup, Calvillo earned Most Valuable Player honors for his performance in Montreal's 25-16 win over the Edmonton Eskimos.[2] Calvillo's impact extended to individual excellence, as he was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player three times—in 2003, 2008, and 2009—highlighting his role in transforming the Alouettes into perennial contenders.[2] His precise pocket passing and decision-making were central to the team's offensive identity, fostering revivals during challenging periods like post-2002 roster transitions and injuries later in his career.[31] By retirement, Calvillo held numerous league records, including career passing yards at 79,816, underscoring his enduring legacy with Montreal.[31]Playing statistics
Regular season
Anthony Calvillo's CFL regular season career, spanning 1994 to 2013, saw him establish numerous passing records, including the all-time marks for yards (79,816), touchdowns (455), completions (5,892), and attempts (9,437). His career completion percentage was 62.4, with an average of 8.5 yards per attempt and a passer rating of 95.5. Additionally, Calvillo was a dual-threat quarterback, rushing 682 times for 3,688 yards and 34 touchdowns over his 329 regular-season games.[1][33][2] With the Las Vegas Posse in 1994, Calvillo made 14 starts in his rookie season, throwing for 2,582 yards while adapting to professional play. During his three-year stint with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1995–1997), he started 28 games, improving his efficiency each year and surpassing 2,500 passing yards annually, though the team struggled with a combined 15–33 record. Calvillo's most dominant phase came with the Montreal Alouettes (1998–2013), where he started 255 of 256 games, leading the league in passing yards six times and achieving double-digit touchdown seasons in 16 of his 18 years there, culminating in career-high outputs like 6,041 yards in 2004.[1][33] The following table provides a year-by-year summary of Calvillo's regular-season passing and rushing statistics, including completion percentage (Comp %) and passer rating (Rating). Data reflects his performance across all teams.[1][33]| Year | Team | Att | Comp | Comp % | Yds | TD | Int | Rating | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Rush TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Las Vegas Posse | 348 | 154 | 44.3 | 2,582 | 13 | 15 | 64.4 | 42 | 195 | 2 |
| 1995 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats | 385 | 211 | 54.8 | 2,831 | 19 | 21 | 72.1 | 24 | 51 | 2 |
| 1996 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats | 265 | 157 | 59.2 | 2,571 | 13 | 13 | 87.8 | 40 | 311 | 1 |
| 1997 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats | 278 | 160 | 57.6 | 2,177 | 12 | 11 | 80.6 | 53 | 242 | 2 |
| 1998 | Montreal Alouettes | 172 | 98 | 57.0 | 1,526 | 6 | 10 | 73.9 | 31 | 121 | 1 |
| 1999 | Montreal Alouettes | 249 | 166 | 66.7 | 2,592 | 13 | 6 | 108.4 | 56 | 211 | 3 |
| 2000 | Montreal Alouettes | 435 | 272 | 62.5 | 4,277 | 27 | 5 | 111.1 | 58 | 230 | 2 |
| 2001 | Montreal Alouettes | 412 | 250 | 60.7 | 3,671 | 16 | 9 | 93.6 | 40 | 253 | 1 |
| 2002 | Montreal Alouettes | 569 | 338 | 59.4 | 5,013 | 27 | 10 | 96.8 | 45 | 327 | 3 |
| 2003 | Montreal Alouettes | 675 | 408 | 60.4 | 5,891 | 37 | 14 | 98.4 | 45 | 169 | 1 |
| 2004 | Montreal Alouettes | 690 | 431 | 62.5 | 6,041 | 31 | 15 | 96.5 | 44 | 237 | 1 |
| 2005 | Montreal Alouettes | 661 | 437 | 66.1 | 5,556 | 34 | 19 | 97.4 | 35 | 189 | 6 |
| 2006 | Montreal Alouettes | 640 | 402 | 62.8 | 4,714 | 20 | 15 | 85.8 | 28 | 185 | 2 |
| 2007 | Montreal Alouettes | 459 | 308 | 67.1 | 3,608 | 17 | 8 | 95.8 | 21 | 137 | 0 |
| 2008 | Montreal Alouettes | 682 | 472 | 69.2 | 5,633 | 43 | 13 | 107.2 | 26 | 189 | 2 |
| 2009 | Montreal Alouettes | 550 | 396 | 72.0 | 4,639 | 26 | 6 | 108.4 | 32 | 198 | 2 |
| 2010 | Montreal Alouettes | 562 | 380 | 67.6 | 4,839 | 32 | 7 | 108.1 | 16 | 107 | 0 |
| 2011 | Montreal Alouettes | 654 | 404 | 61.8 | 5,251 | 32 | 8 | 98.2 | 21 | 155 | 1 |
| 2012 | Montreal Alouettes | 555 | 333 | 60.0 | 5,082 | 31 | 14 | 98.3 | 19 | 155 | 2 |
| 2013 | Montreal Alouettes | 196 | 115 | 58.7 | 1,322 | 6 | 5 | 78.7 | 6 | 26 | 0 |
| Career | 9,437 | 5,892 | 62.4 | 79,816 | 455 | 224 | 95.5 | 682 | 3,688 | 34 |