Norman (“Normie”) Kwong

Norman (“Normie”) Kwong was a groundbreaker in Canadian sports and politics. Born in 1929 in Calgary, Alberta to Chinese immigrants from Guangdong, Kwong grew up facing racism challenges including reg-
ularly dealing with neighbourhood bullies.

He became the first professional Chinese Canadian football player in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 1948, just one year after the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act. His talent and determination were record setting. He proved himself as a formidable halfback, winning four Grey Cups, setting over 30 league records, being named the CFL’s most outstanding Canadian player twice, and receiving the Lionel Conacher
Award as Canada’s male athlete of the year in 1955.

Post retirement in 1960, Kwong’s achievements grew to include being president and general manager of the Calgary Stampeders (1988–92) and part owner of the Calgary Flames (1980–94). He was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1998 for his accomplishments in football. He later became the first Asian Canadian Lieutenant Governor of Alberta in 2005.