Hamilton Tiger-Cats GM Ted Goveia has died after battle with cancer

General manager Ted Goveia of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats has died.

The Ticats announced his death Friday, saying they were deeply saddened and would honour Goveia's impact on Canadian football during that evening's "Team Ted" game against the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"Ted was a highly respected leader, colleague, and friend whose passion and commitment for Canadian football left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His dedication to the game and to the Tiger-Cats family will never be forgotten," the team said in a statement.

The native of Burlington, Ont., who was in his first season as Hamilton's GM, disclosed in June that he'd been diagnosed with "a serious form of cancer."

Although there was no specific mention as to the form of the disease, two league sources said Goveia was battling esophageal cancer.

"I wanted to keep my health condition in-house until we had a chance to build our team and pick our final roster," he said. "I am grateful that we were able to focus on fielding the best team possible for 2025 and not have my health become a distraction.

"I let the players know that I'm not going to be here (at team facilities) every minute of the day, and I'm going to be in treatment and need to focus on my health. I'm still the general manager, but I'll not always be in the building. But in today's day and age, everything's downloaded to my laptop and there's always the phone."

Goveia was named Hamilton's GM on Dec. 5, 2024, following 11 years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The appointment was a homecoming for Goveia, who played high school football at Assumption Secondary School and later coached there as well as at other local organizations.

Goveia's early days as Ticats' GM were long and busy as he put together a staff while looking to improve a roster that last year missed the CFL playoffs, all the while getting to know the people in his new workplace.

But in March, Goveia told The Canadian Press he never had to look far to gain a sense of perspective or appreciation that he'd landed his dream job.

"The other morning I went into the office at 6:30 a.m.," Goveia said. "Got up, grabbed my coffee and drove over the [Burlington Skyway] bridge, and I'm looking out, and the sun was coming up.

"I just sat there smiling as I drove, thinking, `Man, I'm 17 minutes from home.' I do love southern Ontario and appreciate the opportunity to work back at home, for sure."

Hamilton (7-11) missed the 2024 CFL playoffs and last won the Grey Cup in 1999. The team currently sits in first place in the East Division at 7-5.

Goveia will be honoured at tonight's game

The Tiger-Cats will honour Goveia at tonight's game in Hamilton against Winnipeg which they are calling the "Team Ted" game.

On Sept. 5, the team announced, by email, that the game will give fans "an opportunity to celebrate Canadian football and honour a leader and champion whose influence has been felt across the CFL and beyond. The 'Team Ted' name was first coined by Tiger-Cats players — and quickly embraced across the CFL — after Ted's cancer diagnosis, symbolizing the deep respect and support he has earned throughout the football community."

The team said Goveia has set up the Ted Goveia Scholarships, two annual scholarships, in partnership with McMaster University and Mount Allison University, "to support Canadian university football players, helping ensure opportunities for the next generation."

The Tiger-Cats say "fans can stand with Ted by wearing the same 'Team Ted' t-shirts that players have been sporting throughout the season, with 100 percent of the proceeds supporting initiatives being launched in his honour."

Fans in attendance tonight at Hamilton Stadium will receive a "Team Ted" rally towel at the game to take part in a tribute to Goveia.

Goveia began his CFL career with the Toronto Argonauts

In a statement, the CFL called Goveia a leader who valued people as much as success.

"Ted never allowed his relentless drive for excellence to blind him to what mattered most — people. He made time for others, and he had a kind word for everyone he met," the statement said.

Goveia began his CFL career with the Toronto Argonauts in 2010.

He began his tenure in Winnipeg as the club's assistant GM/player-personnel director before being promoted to senior assistant GM in 2019 following the franchise's 33-12 Grey Cup win over Hamilton.

Goveia said being away from the team while undergoing treatment would only serve to motivate him in his fight.

"I enjoy being around our players and I will miss the daily interaction — it motivates me to kick this and get back with the team," he said. "I feel like we're in good shape, but I did have to meet with everybody in the building because I thought they had the right to know."

When Goveia joined the Argos, he served as running backs coach and director of Canadian scouting before being promoted to player-personnel director. Over his four seasons with the club (2010 to 2013), it reached the playoffs three times and captured the 100th Grey Cup in 2012 under then-head coach Scott Milanovich, who's entering his second season as Hamilton's head coach/offensive co-ordinator.

Goveia would later be on two Grey Cup-winning squads in Winnipeg (2019, 2021).

Before making the move to the CFL, Goveia spent 15 years coaching Canadian university football, including stops at his alma mater, Mount Allison, McMaster University, and the University of British Columbia.

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