2001 was a very competitive season for the Canadian Football League, as all 8 teams won at least 6 games, and the only teams who were able to separate from the rest of the pack were the front-running Winnipeg Blue Bombers (14-4-0) and the runner-up Hamilton Tiger-Cats (11-7-0). The rest of the league won between 6 and 9 games. In the first round of the playoffs, it was Hamilton over Montreal 24-12, while Calgary took care of the BC Lions 28-19. In the Divisional Finals, it was Winnipeg over Hamilton 28-13, while Calgary would upset the top-seeded Edmonton Eskimos 34-16, setting up the match-up for the 89th Grey Cup Championship. The 89th Grey Cup was held in in Montreal, on November 25, 2001. The Calgary Stampeders claimed their fifth championship in team history with a 27-19 win over the East Division champions and heavily favoured Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Calgarys opponent was a strong Winnipeg Blue Bombers club which had the CFLs best regular season record of 14-4. But it was clear regular season play didnt matter as the Stampeders built a 17-4 lead at halftime. Trailing 4-3 late in the second quarter, Calgary quarterback Marcus Crandell hit a streaking Marc Boerigter down the left hash marks for a 68-yard touchdown. The Stampeders struck again before intermission when Calgary flooded the right side with receivers and
Crandell hit Travis Moore for a nine-yard score. It seemed to be the wake-up call the Blue Bombers needed. On their first possession of the second half, quarterback Khari Jones hit Arland Bruce for a 23-yard touchdown completion. But the turning point came at 5:37 of the fourth quarter. With the Blue Bombers trailing 17-12, Calgarys Aldi Henry — playing the game in his hometown — blocked Bob Camerons punt attempt. Willie Fells recovered the ball and ran 11 yards for a Calgary touchdown. The Blue Bombers fought back, as Jones hit Milt Stegall who made a remarkable 23-yard touchdown reception. But once again the Stampeders pulled further ahead. Stuck on the Calgary 11 with time ticking down, Crandell threw to running back Kelvin Anderson on a sideline pattern. Anderson slipped past Marvin Coleman for a 44-yard gain. Three plays later, Mark McLoughlin kicked a 24-yard field goal. There was one final comeback attempt by Winnipeg. With the Blue Bombers on the Calgary 36 with time running out, Jones was driven by Stampeders defensive tackle Joe Fleming into the turf for a game-ending sack. Marcus Crandell would receive the honors for Most Valuable Player, while Aldi Henry would receive honors for Most Valuable Canadian.