Regina football community mourning loss of Kelly Hamilton

Tributes poured in Tuesday for Kelly Hamilton, a former president of Regina Minor Football who has died after a battle with cancer.

He was 62.

“He did incredible things for football in this province,” the PFC’s Regina Thunder said in a tweet. “This is a huge loss for Canadian football.”

Hamilton and RMF executive director Len Antonini were enshrined together in the Regina Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 for their work with the organization.

Hamilton played junior football with the Regina Rams, then tried out for the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. He joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and played one game with them in 1983 and three games in 1984.

He subsequently spent 28 years with the Regina fire department, rising to the rank of captain before retiring.

“Kelly was a champion of minor football in the province, bringing the joy of the game to so many Saskatchewan youth,” the Roughriders wrote in a tweet.

“His loss will be felt across the Canadian football landscape, and he will be remembered for his positivity and kindness.”

The Regina Thunder is incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of friend & supporter Kelly Hamilton. He did incredible things for football in this province. This is a huge loss for Canadian football. Our thoughts are with his family & friends during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/krtAuU9R1H

— Regina Thunder (@reginathunder) July 19, 2022

The Regina Rams organization is saddened to hear of the passing of our friend and alumnus Kelly Hamilton. A man who did so much for football in Saskatchewan. He will be truly missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/IeKI68fKYL

— U of R Rams (@reginarams) July 19, 2022

Sending 💚 to Kelly's family and to all who knew and loved him. pic.twitter.com/h38tAgkkYg

— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) July 19, 2022

Regina Fire lost one of our own, Retired Captain Kelly Hamilton. Kelly was as gifted a firefighter as he was an athlete and an even better person. Captain Hamilton had over 28 years of exemplary service and all members will cherish their time with him. #RIP #YQR pic.twitter.com/5hn9kHS364

— Regina Fire (@Regina_Fire) July 19, 2022