Born October 31, 1935
Class of 1976 – Career Highlights:
CFL All-Star – 11 times
CFL East Division All-Star -12 times
Grey Cup Champion 1957, 1963, 1965, 1967
He provided an early indication of his aptitudes when he played a central role on both the offensive and defensive lines of the Florida Gator teams of the mid-1950s. During his tenure there he was a first-team All-Southeast Conference pick, a consensus first-team All-American and was appointed as Florida’s team captain in 1956.
Despite being a fifth round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 1957, Barrow opted to sign with the Hamilton Tiger Cats, where he starred from 1957 to 1970.
He was so dominant along the line, throughout his time with the Tiger Cats that he was voted the CFL lineman of the century in 1967. His Hamilton teams qualified for nine Grey Cup games in an 11-year span, largely on the strength of the defense in which he was a key component and leader.
Despite the focus on his defensive skills and perennial Defensive All-Star recognition, he was also a four-time East Division All-Star as an Offensive Tackle (1957-1960).
In the TSN vote for the 50 all-time greatest players in league history, he placed 17th, a further indication of his greatness, particularly when noting that he was the second highest ranked lineman in history on that list.
He attributed much of his success to a 12 month commitment to the game, where he worked constantly to maintain top level of physical conditioning.
When his playing days came to an end, he immediately moved down the highway to become the General Manager of the Toronto Argonauts from 1971-1975.
In terms of personifying toughness in the history of the Canadian Football landscape, John Barrow has to be considered a key part of that conversation.