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| No. 65, 76 | |
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| Position | Defensive end |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1945-04-23)April 23, 1945 (age 80) Sherridon, Manitoba, Canada |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 255 lb (116 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Otterbein College |
| Career history | |
| 1968–1973 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| 1974–1976 | BC Lions |
| 1977–1978 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Awards and highlights | |
Canadian Football Hall of Fame (Class of 1994) | |
Bill"The Undertaker" Baker (born August 29, 1944) is a Canadian former professionalfootballdefensive end who played in theCanadian Football League (CFL).
Bill Baker played junior football for theRegina Rams in 1963, and college football atOtterbein College, where he was a First Team All-Star for four years.
Baker played in a total of 174 games over eleven seasons with theSaskatchewan Roughriders (1968–1973, 1977–1978) andBC Lions (1974–1976). He was a Division All-Star five times, and won theCFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in1976 as a member of the Lions.
In1968, Saskatchewan had the fewest points allowed in the CFL with 223, including teams in the Eastern division with two fewer games played, but lost in the Western conference final to theCalgary Stampeders. In1969, the Roughrider defence allowed 261 points, second in the conference, and won the Western conference final, but the passing attack of theRuss Jackson-ledOttawa Rough Riders was too much for them in the57th Grey Cup.
In1970, the Saskatchewan defence dominated the league again with 206 points allowed, but could not beat Calgary in the Western conference final, or beat Calgary in the Western conference final in1971. In1972, the Roughriders beat theWinnipeg Blue Bombers in the Western conference final, but, despite limiting theHamilton Tiger-Cats to just 13 points, lost the60th Grey Cup game because of a weak offence. In the1973 season, the Roughriders could not get by theEdmonton Eskimos in the Western conference final.
Baker had a 3-year stint with theBC Lions, less successful as a team than Saskatchewan during this period. In the1974 season, BC lost to Saskatchewan in the semifinal. In the1975 and1976 seasons, the team could not reach the playoffs. Baker won the defensive player of the year award in 1976 despite BC's mediocre 336 points allowed and 5-9-2 record.
Baker ended his career with a 2-year stint with his former team, Saskatchewan, but neither in1977 nor in1978 did Saskatchewan make the playoffs. Thus, Baker's career ended on a losing note, his team finishing last in the Western conference with a record of 4-11-1.
Despite never having played on a Grey Cup winner, Baker was inducted to theCanadian Football Hall of Fame in 1994 and, in 2006, was listed at #43 on theTSN Top 50 CFL Players list. His credo was "your opponents are only as tough as you let them be." According to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, "a Baker forearm to the head was greatly respected by opposing quarterbacks who came within range."
Bill Baker became general manager of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1987-1988.
When the CFL split its commissioner role into two positions after the departure of Douglas Mitchell, Baker became CFL president and chief operating officer in 1989, with Roy McMurtry, Q.C. holding the position of chairman and chief executive officer. When Baker resigned, McMurtry continued as chairman and CEO until Crump's appointment but did not serve as acting commissioner.
Canadian Football Hall of Fame member onYouTube
Seen in game 3 of the 1970 Western finals against Calgary in its entirety onYouTube
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