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{{short description|Canadian Football League team}}
{{for|the Canadian football-rugby union team of the early 20th century, known in 1922 as the Edmonton Elks|Edmonton Rugby Foot-ball Club}}
{{redirect|Edmonton Eskimos|other uses|Edmonton Eskimos (disambiguation)}}{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}{{Infobox Gridiron football team
| name = Edmonton Elks
| current = 2025 Edmonton Elks season
| uniform = CFL EDM Jersey.png
| uniformsize = 240px
| helmet =
| logo = File:Edmonton Elks Logo.png
| logosize = 250px
| founded = 1949
| location = [[Edmonton, Alberta]], Canada
| field = PlayAlberta Field at [[Commonwealth Stadium]]
| league = [[Canadian Football League]]
| division = [[West Division (CFL)|West]]
| colours = Green, gold, white<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Edmonton Elks Team Information & History|chapter-url=https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-CFL-Guide-Book.pdf#page=10|publisher=CFL Enterprises LP|title=2024 CFL Guide & Record Book|url=https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-CFL-Guide-Book.pdf|date=June 10, 2024|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=https://www.goelks.com/about-us/|publisher=CFL Enterprises LP|website=GoElks.com|access-date=March 5, 2022}}</ref><br />{{color box|#2B5134}} {{color box|#FFB819}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}
| nickname = {{ubl|The Double-E|The Herd (2021–present)|Esks, Eskies (1949–2020)|The Evil Empire (1970s–1990s)}}
| coach = [[Mark Kilam]]
| manager = [[Ed Hervey]]
| owner = Estate of Larry Thompson<ref name=owned>{{cite news|last=Daum|first=Evan|title=Larry Thompson unveiled as Edmonton Elks owner|url=https://www.goelks.com/2024/08/15/larry-thompson-unveiled-as-edmonton-elks-owner/|publisher=CFL Enterprises LP|website=GoElks.com|date=August 15, 2024|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=CFL.ca Staff|title=SPECIAL COMMITTEE CREATED TO REVIEW EDMONTON ELKS OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/23/special-committee-created-to-review-edmonton-elks-ownership-structure/|publisher=CFL Enterprises LP|website=CFL.ca|date=November 23, 2023|access-date=January 8, 2024}}</ref>
| league_champ_type = [[Grey Cup]] wins
| league_champs = '''14''' ([[42nd Grey Cup|1954]], [[43rd Grey Cup|1955]], [[44th Grey Cup|1956]], [[63rd Grey Cup|1975]], [[66th Grey Cup|1978]], [[67th Grey Cup|1979]], [[68th Grey Cup|1980]], [[69th Grey Cup|1981]], [[70th Grey Cup|1982]], [[75th Grey Cup|1987]], [[81st Grey Cup|1993]], [[91st Grey Cup|2003]], [[93rd Grey Cup|2005]], [[103rd Grey Cup|2015]])
* Edmonton Eskimos (1949–2020)
* Edmonton Football Team/EE Football Team (2020–2021)
| mascot = Nanook and Punter
| website = {{url|https://www.goelks.com/|goelks.com}}
| div_champs =
| stadium = [[Commonwealth Stadium]]
}}
The '''Edmonton Elks''' are  a professional [[Canadian football]] team based in [[Edmonton]], Alberta.  The club competes in the [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL) as a member of the league's [[West Division (CFL)|West Division]] and plays their home games at [[Commonwealth Stadium]]. The Elks were founded in 1949 as the '''Edmonton Eskimos''' and have won the [[Grey Cup]] championship fourteen times (including a [[three-peat]] between 1954 and 1956 and an unmatched five consecutive wins between 1978 and 1982), most recently in [[103rd Grey Cup|2015]] and the most of any CFL club based in Western Canada. The team has [[Battle of Alberta|a rivalry]] with the [[Calgary Stampeders]]. The team discontinued using the ''Eskimos'' name in 2020, with the new name ''Elks'' formally announced on June 1, 2021.<ref name=Elks>{{cite news|title=New name. Same game. We are the Edmonton Elks.|url=https://www.goelks.com/2021/06/01/new-name-game-edmonton-elks/|publisher=CFL Enterprises, LP|website=GoElks.com|date=June 1, 2021|access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=EDMONTON OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES TEAM NAME AS ELKS|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2021/06/01/edmonton-officially-announces-team-name-elks/|publisher=CFL Enterprises, LP|website=CFL.ca|date=June 1, 2021|access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref>

== Ownership ==
The Edmonton Elks were a "community owned" team (owned by local shareholders) since their inception in 1949 to midway through the [[2024 Edmonton Elks season|2024 season]].<ref name=owned/>

Edmonton Elks Football Team, Inc., was governed by a ten-member board of directors.<ref>{{cite web|title=BOARD OF DIRECTORS|url=https://www.goelks.com/board-of-directors/|publisher=CFL Enterprises LP|website=GoElks.com|access-date=June 15, 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618233421/https://www.goelks.com/board-of-directors/ |archive-date=2021-06-18 }}</ref> The board consisted of a chairman, treasurer, secretary, and seven directors. The club's president and CEO was Chris Presson until he was fired on November 22, 2021.<ref>{{cite press release|title=CHRIS PRESSON NAMED ESKIMOS PRESIDENT AND CEO|url=https://www.goelks.com/2019/08/07/chris-presson-named-eskimos-president-ceo/|publisher=CFL Enterprises LP|website=GoElks.com|date=August 7, 2019|access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Elks announce sweeping organizational changes |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2021/11/22/elks-announce-sweeping-organizational-changes/ |publisher=[[Canadian Football League]] |date=November 22, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404120316/https://www.cfl.ca/2021/11/22/elks-announce-sweeping-organizational-changes/ |archive-date= Apr 4, 2023 }}</ref>

As of 2024, Larry Thompson, longtime Elks fan and shareholder, bought the team outright, becoming the first private owner in club history.<ref name=owned /> Thompson died September 25, 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-25 |title=Edmonton Elks owner Larry Thompson dies at age 65 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/article-edmonton-elks-owner-larry-thompson-dies-at-age-65/ |access-date=2025-09-26 |work=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA}}</ref>

== History ==
===Football in Edmonton 1895–1939===
The '''[[Edmonton Rugby Foot-ball Club]]''', unaffiliated with the current team, was an early [[Canadian football]]-[[rugby union]] team based in [[Edmonton]]. The team played its first organized games with the formation of the [[Alberta Rugby Football Union|Alberta Rugby Football League]] in 1895. In 1908 the name '''''Esquimaux''''' was adopted.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn2.sportngin.com/attachments/document/0071/2219/Edmonton_Football_Journal_Article.pdf |quote="The Edmonton Rugby Football Club was reorganized as the Esquimaux — the forerunner to the Edmonton Eskimos — at a meeting in the Windsor Hotel on Jasper Avenue and 101st Street."<br />"The team had been nicknamed "Esquimaux" by a Calgary sportswriter as early as 1897" |work=[[Edmonton Journal]] |date=October 15, 2012 |title=Oct. 16, 1908: Edmonton football team renamed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404025114/https://cdn2.sportngin.com/attachments/document/0071/2219/Edmonton_Football_Journal_Article.pdf |archive-date= Apr 4, 2023 }}</ref> In 1910 the club was officially named the '''Edmonton Eskimos''' and was briefly called the '''Edmonton Elks''' during [[1922 in Canadian football|1922]]. (The city was represented by the '''Edmonton Civics''' in [[1914 in Canadian football|1914]] and the '''Edmonton Canucks''' in [[1919 in Canadian football|1919]].) After appearing in and losing the [[9th Grey Cup]] and [[10th Grey Cup]] games (being the first western teams to play for the Cup) the team folded in [[1925 in Canadian football|1925]], but returned for two seasons beginning [[1928 in Canadian football|1928]], and then folded again. It was succeeded by the '''[[Edmonton Boosters]]''', who played for three more seasons, and the '''Edmonton Hi-Grads''' in [[1936 in Canadian football|1936]] (a team of high school graduate all stars.) Elite-level football returned to Edmonton in [[1938 in Canadian football|1938]] with a team once again called the '''''[[Edmonton Eskimos Football Club (1938)|Eskimos]]''''', this time in the [[Western Interprovincial Football Union]] (WIFU). This team ceased operating after only two seasons because of the [[Second World War]].

===Team history===
[[File:Johnny_bright_topps_card_1962.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Johnny Bright with Edmonton in 1962]]
The current incarnation of the team began in the 1949 WIFU season as the Edmonton Eskimos under head coach [[Annis Stukus]], for whom the CFL's annual coach of the year award is named. The team played home games at [[Clarke Stadium]] and quickly saw success under quarterback [[Jackie Parker]] and running back [[Johnny Bright]], winning the Grey Cup three years in a row from 1954 to 1956. The team did not win the Grey Cup again until 1975, the longest drought in team history. The team moved to Commonwealth Stadium in 1978.

The team won five consecutive Grey Cups (1978–82), led by superstar quarterbacks [[Warren Moon]] and [[Tom Wilkinson (Canadian football)|Tom Wilkinson]] and head coach [[Hugh Campbell]]. After a brief absence, Campbell returned to the team in 1986 and worked for Edmonton in an administrative capacity until his retirement in 2006. This five-year dynasty, followed by the dominance of the city's NHL team the [[Edmonton Oilers]], led the city to be nicknamed the "City of Champions" in the 1980s. Edmonton made it to nine Grey Cups in a ten-year span from 1973 to 1982.

In the 1980s and 90s the team's marquee player was [[Gizmo Williams]] who still holds many CFL records in punt and kickoff returns and was a key part in Grey Cup victories in 1987 and 1993 under head coach [[Ron Lancaster]]. During this period the team was also known for its stellar defensive line, with future [[Canadian Football Hall of Fame]]rs like [[Danny Kepley]] and [[Danny Bass]] winning Defensive Player of the Year Awards and [[Willie Pless]] winning the trophy a record five times.

After winning the Grey Cup in both 2003 and 2005, under quarterback [[Ricky Ray]], who is Edmonton's all-time leader in passing yards, the team missed the playoffs the following year, for the first time in 34 years, a North American professional sport record. This led to a ten-year Grey Cup drought. After a gap of ten years, Edmonton won the Grey Cup again in 2015, under the leadership of quarterback [[Mike Reilly (quarterback)|Mike Reilly]], their most recent championship.

In 2020 pressure mounted from team sponsors such as [[Belairdirect]], [[Boston Pizza]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Rogers |first=Sarah |url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/pressure-mounts-for-edmonton-football-club-to-act/ |title=Pressure mounts for Edmonton football club to act |work=Nunatsiaq News |date=2020-07-22 |accessdate=2022-11-07 }}</ref> and Sports Interaction, a First Nations–owned betting company, for the team to change their name.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rinaldi |first=Luc |url=https://canadianbusiness.com/ideas/cfl-edmonton-elks-name-change-cost/ |title=Inside Pro Sports' Reckoning With Racism, For years, Edmonton's football club refused to change their insensitive name. Then their sponsors threatened to drop them. |work=Canadian Business |date=2021-10-07 |accessdate=2023-04-02 }}</ref> The term ''[[Eskimo]]'' is a term historically placed on [[Inuit]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Hersher |first=Rebecca |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/04/24/475129558/why-you-probably-shouldnt-say-eskimo |title=Why You Probably Shouldn't Say 'Eskimo' |work=[[NPR]] |location=Greenland |date=2016-04-16 |accessdate=2022-11-07 }}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Parrott |first=Zach |encyclopedia=The Canadian Encyclopedia |title=Eskimo |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/eskimo |date=2021-06-09 |accessdate=2022-11-07 |quote=The word Eskimo is an offensive term that has been used historically to describe the Inuit throughout their homeland}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2366689/expert-says-meat-eater-name-eskimo-an-offensive-term-placed-on-inuit/ |title=Expert says 'meat-eater' name Eskimo an offensive term placed on Inuit|access-date=2021-04-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Dunning |first=Norma |url=https://theconversation.com/edmonton-eskimos-is-a-racial-slur-and-its-time-to-stop-using-it-87721 |title=Edmonton Eskimos is a racial slur and it's time to stop using it |work=The Conversation |date=2017-11-17 |accessdate=2023-03-19 }}</ref> The team officially dropped all use of the word "Eskimo" from the team on July 21, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last=Slugoski |first=Kendra |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7201833/edmonton-eskimos-football-team-name-change/ |title=CFL's Edmonton Eskimos dropping 'Eskimo' from team name |work=Global News |date=2021-07-21 |accessdate=2023-04-02 }}</ref> In response, the team temporarily rebranded as the "Edmonton Football Team" or, secondarily, the "EE Football Team", confirming their plan was to rebrand with a nickname starting with "E" to continue the use of at least some of their branding, most notably the interlocked double-E logo. This move was supported by multiple Indigenous groups, including the [[Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami]], a group representing over 60,000 Inuit across Canada.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Boyd |first1=Alex |last2= Mosleh |first2=Omar |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/07/16/edmonton-eskimos-to-make-major-announcement-amid-name-change-speculation.html |title=Edmonton Eskimos' name change is praised by a national Inuit group, seen as a step toward dismantling racism |work=[[Toronto Star|The Star]] |date=2020-07-21 |accessdate=2023-03-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Dunning |first=Norma |url=https://theconversation.com/edmonton-finally-drops-the-eskimos-and-may-my-grandchildren-never-hear-the-e-word-again-143170 |title=Edmonton finally drops the Eskimos — and may my grandchildren never hear the E-word again |work=The Conversation |date=2020-07-21 |accessdate=2023-03-19 }}</ref> On June 1, 2021, the team formally announced that the new Edmonton team name would be the Edmonton Elks, a name used by the Edmonton football club of 1922.<ref name=Elks/>[[Image:CFL EDM Jersey Combinations.png|thumb|right|300px|2012–2015 uniform combinations as the Edmonton Eskimos]]Franchise great Warren Moon, who led Edmonton to a record five straight Grey Cups between 1978 and 1982 stated, "The name Eskimos, to me, just means pride and it means winning with that organization". However, he stated that he was ultimately supportive of the move because some people might be offended by the name.<ref>{{cite news|title=Edmonton's CFL team changes name to Elks after dropping Eskimos|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/06/01/edmonton-cfl-elks-eskimos/}}</ref> Saying, "If this is something that is insensitive to another group of people, that is something I can understand being a minority myself."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://3downnation.com/2020/07/17/eskimos-legend-warren-moon-supportive-of-name-change/ |title=Eskimos legend Warren Moon supportive of name change |work=3 down nation |date=2021-07-17 |accessdate=2022-12-18 }}</ref> This came around the same time as the [[Washington Redskins]] of the [[National Football League]] rebranded as the Washington Commanders, and the [[Cleveland Indians]] of [[Major League Baseball]] rebranded as the Cleveland Guardians.

[[File:Edmonton Elks logo.svg|150px|left|thumb|Elks secondary logo]]
====Team colours and branding====
The team colours, green and gold, have remained essentially the same over the years with only minor modifications to the uniform or logo until 2021, when the EE logo was designated as a secondary logo, and introduced a new logo of a stylized image of an elk and the Elks helmet logo was changed to antlers.<ref>{{cite tweet | number= 1399789282181582857 |user=EdmontonElks | title = The Double E's are here to stay, in a new way. With a new treatment, they represent our history. #ElksCharge|date=1 June 2021}}</ref> After keeping the elk-antler helmet for the 2021 season, the team reintroduced the EE logo to their helmets (albeit with it not being enclosed in an oval) in the 2022 offseason, acknowledging fan favourability towards the logo.<ref>{{cite news|title=Our Team. Our City. Elks launch new look for 2022 season|url=https://www.goelks.com/2022/05/20/our-team-our-city-elks-launch-new-look-for-2022-season/|publisher=CFL Enterprises, LP|website=GoElks.com|date=May 20, 2022|access-date=May 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=New Look: Elks reveal new uniforms for 2022|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2022/05/20/new-look-elks-reveal-new-uniforms-for-2022/|publisher=CFL Enterprises, LP|website=CFL.ca|date=May 20, 2022|access-date=May 24, 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Edmonton Elks Indigenous Logo.png|150px|right|thumb|Indigenous logo introduced in 2021 following the team rebrand]]
In 2021, the Elks worked with artist Izaiah Masuskapoe, an Indigenous student at West Edmonton’s St. Thomas More Catholic Junior High School, to create a special logo to celebrate the Indigenous people in Edmonton, which later spread to all of Canada in 2024 as the CFL commemorated the [[National Day of Truth and Reconciliation]] with logos of their own.  This followed a similar effort by the [[BC Lions]] months before.<ref>{{cite news|title=Elks launch orange shirt in support of Spirit North|url=https://www.goelks.com/2021/10/22/elks-launch-orange-shirt-support-spirit-north|publisher=Edmonton Elks|website=GoElks.ca|date=October 22, 2021|access-date=September 29, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=INDIGENOUS-THEMED LOGOS HIGHLIGHT CFL'S SUPPORT FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION|url=https://press.cfl.ca/indigenous-themed-logos-highlight-cfls-support-for-truth-and-reconciliation|publisher=CFL Enterprises, LP|website=CFL.ca|date=September 23, 2024|access-date=September 29, 2024}}</ref>

Following new private ownership, the EE logo returned as the primary logo in 2025 and the Elk logo was retained as the secondary logo.<ref>{{cite news |title=Edmonton unveils new wordmark, keeps Elks logo as secondary emblem |url=https://3downnation.com/2025/01/06/edmonton-unveils-new-wordmark-keeps-elks-logo-as-secondary-emblem/ |publisher=3DownNation |date=January 6, 2025}}</ref>

===Team records and achievements===
With 14 Grey Cup wins, the franchise has won the Grey Cup more than any other team except the [[Toronto Argonauts]], who have 19 wins. This includes more championships than any other team since the CFL was formed in the 1950s. Edmonton holds the record for most consecutive Grey Cup appearances (6 from 1977 to 1982), and consecutive wins (5 from 1978 to 1982). The team is the only one to have won three or more consecutive Grey Cups twice (1954–1956 and 1978–1982).

The Edmonton franchise holds the following CFL records:

* 5 consecutive Grey Cup wins: 1978–1982
* 6 consecutive Grey Cup appearances: 1977–1982
* 34 consecutive playoff appearances: 1972–2005
* 6 consecutive first place finishes, division: 1977–1982
* 12 consecutive home playoff victories: 1973–1987
* 14 consecutive seasons above .500: 1984–1997 (tied by Calgary 2008–2022)
* 13 consecutive seasons 10 or more wins: 1985–1997
* 16 wins, season: 1989 (tied by Toronto 2023)
* 0.906 winning pct., season (minimum 16-game season): 1981
* 14 games over .500, season: 1989 (tied by Toronto 2023)
* 9 home wins, season: 1989 (tied by several teams)
* 27 consecutive seasons .500 or better: 1972–1998
* 22 consecutive home losses: October 26, 2019–August 10, 2023
* 22 consecutive winless home games: October 26, 2019–August 10, 2023

The team has the distinction of setting two opposite North American professional sports records: from a success standpoint, Edmonton made the playoffs for 34 consecutive years from 1972 to 2005. At the other end, the Elks hold the dubious record of longest losing streak, home, and longest winless streak, home, set when they passed 21 on July 29, 2023. These streaks ended at 22, with the first home win under the Elks name coming August 27, 2023.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2023/08/27/its-over-elks-down-redblacks-to-end-home-losing-streak/#:~:text=EDMONTON%20%E2%80%94%20For%20anyone%20affiliated%20with,22%2Dgame%20home%20losing%20streak. |title=IT'S OVER! ELKS DOWN REDBLACKS TO END HOME LOSING STREAK |work=CFL |date=2023-08-28 |accessdate=2023-08-28 }}</ref> This record was previously held by the [[1953 St. Louis Browns season|1953 St. Louis Browns]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-29 |title=Elks blanked by Lions, set mark for longest home losing streak in North American pro sports |url=https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/elks-blanked-by-lions-set-mark-for-longest-home-losing-streak-in-north-american-pro-sports-1.1990071 |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=TSN |language=en-CA}}</ref>

The Elks have also led the CFL in yearly attendance many times. As of August 2016, Edmonton had the highest average attendance in the league 27 times since moving to Commonwealth Stadium in 1978.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.edmontonsun.com/2016/08/24/eskimos-are-still-league-leaders-in-attendance-numbers-but-half-the-seats-at-commonwealth-are-empty |title=Eskimos are still league leaders in attendance numbers, but half the seats at Commonwealth are empty |first=Terry |last=Jones |publisher=Edmonton Sun |date=2016-08-24 |access-date=2017-03-29 }}</ref>

Team alumni have figured prominently in Alberta political life: past players include two former provincial premiers ([[Peter Lougheed]] and [[Donald Getty]]), a former mayor of Edmonton ([[Bill Smith (Alberta politician)|Bill Smith]]),<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton-eskimos | title=Edmonton Elks }}</ref> and a [[lieutenant-governor]] ([[Norman Kwong]]).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/norman-kwong | title=Norman Kwong }}</ref> Athletes of significance in other professional sports that played for the Elks include professional wrestler and [[WWE]] champion [[Roman Reigns]], who played under his birthname Joe Anoa'i in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2019/04/11/joe-roman-reigns-anoai-returns-edmonton/ |title=EDMONTON RETURN FOR JOE "ROMAN REIGNS" ANOA'I|date=12 April 2019 }}</ref>

== Wall of Honour ==<!-- This section is linked from [[Warren Moon]] -->
The Edmonton Elks have a policy of honouring the players who have best represented the team on the field.  The player's name, number and seasons played with the Edmonton Elks are displayed on the edge of the concrete separating the field level from the lower bowl of [[Commonwealth Stadium]].  The Elks keep most of the numbers in circulation rather than retire them from use. However, the team has had the numbers of [[Warren Moon]] (1), [[Don Warrington (Canadian football)|Don Warrington]] (21), and [[Rollie Miles]] (98) removed from circulation and are no longer issued.<ref name=Numbers>{{cite web |url=https://www.goelks.com/2018/06/25/right-number-can-make-player-complete/ |title=Right number can make a player "complete" |website=esks.com |publisher=Edmonton Elks |date=June 25, 2018}}</ref>

'''Numbers so honoured {{As of|2023|lc=on}}:'''

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* 1 [[Warren Moon]] (2001)
* 2 [[Gizmo Williams|Henry "Gizmo" Williams]] (2002)
* 3 [[Terry Vaughn]] (2023)
* 11 {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Sean Fleming (gridiron football)|Sean Fleming]] (2011)
* 12 [[Tom Wilkinson (Canadian football)|Tom Wilkinson]] (1982)
* 13 [[Larry Highbaugh]] (1996)
* 14 {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Oscar Kruger]] (1992)
* 15 [[Ricky Ray]] (2019)
* 22 [[Tom Scott (Canadian football)|Tom Scott]] (1993)
* 24 [[Johnny Bright]] (1983)
* 24 [[Ed Jones (defensive back)|Ed Jones]] (2022)
* 25 [[Jim Germany]] (2022)
* 26 {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Dave Cutler (Canadian football)|Dave Cutler]] (1986)
* 27 {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Don Getty]] (1992)
* 29 [[Joe Hollimon]] (2022)
* 30 [[Danny Bass]] (1992)
* 39 [[Willie Pless]] (2004)
* 42 [[Danny Kepley]] (1987)
* 47 {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Larry Wruck]] (2011)
* 51 [[Frank Anderson (Canadian football)|Frank "Guts" Anderson]]{{efn|name=posthumous|Honoured posthumously}} (1985)
* 53 {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Frank Morris (Canadian football)|Frank Morris]] (1984)
* 55 [[Ron Estay]] (2010)
* 60 {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Chris Morris (Canadian football)|Chris Morris]] (2008)
* 62 {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Bill Stevenson (offensive lineman)|Bill Stevenson]]{{efn|name=posthumous}} (2014)
* 63 {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Hector Pothier]] (2014)
* 65 {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Dave Fennell]] (1984)
* 66 [[Roger Nelson (Canadian football)|Roger Nelson]] (1987)
* 66 [[John LaGrone]] (1988)
* 67 {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Rod Connop]] (2005)
* 70 [[Brian Kelly (wide receiver)|Brian Kelly]] (1989)
* 76 [[George McGowan]] (1985)
* 77 {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Tommy Joe Coffey]] (1988)
* 91 [[Jackie Parker]] (1983)
* 95 {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Norman Kwong]] (1984)
* 98 [[Rollie Miles]] (1983)
}}

==Current roster==
{{Edmonton Elks roster}}

== Current coaching staff ==
{{Edmonton Elks staff}}

==Head coaches==
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Annis Stukus]] (1949–1952)
* [[Frank Filchock]] (1952)
* [[Darrell Royal]] (1953)
* [[Pop Ivy]] (1954–1957)
* [[Sam Lyle]] (1958)
* [[Eagle Keys]] (1959–1963)
* [[Neill Armstrong]] (1964–1969)
* [[Ray Jauch]] (1970–1976)
* [[Hugh Campbell]] (1977–1982)
* [[Pete Kettela]] (1983)
* [[Jackie Parker]] (1983–1987)
* [[Joe Faragalli]] (1987–1990)
* [[Ron Lancaster]] (1991–1997)
* [[Kay Stephenson]] (1998)
* [[Don Matthews]] (1999–2000)
* [[Tom Higgins (Canadian football)|Tom Higgins]] (2001–2004)
* {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Danny Maciocia]] (2005–2008)
* [[Richie Hall]] (2009–2010)
* [[Kavis Reed]] (2011–2013)
* [[Chris Jones (Canadian football coach)|Chris Jones]] (2014–2015)
* [[Jason Maas]] (2016–2019)
* [[Scott Milanovich]] (2020)
* {{flagicon|MEX}} [[Jaime Elizondo]] (2021)
* [[Chris Jones (Canadian football coach)|Chris Jones]] (2022–2024)
* [[Jarious Jackson]] (2024)
* {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Mark Kilam]] (2025–present)
}}

==General managers==
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* [[Al Anderson (Canadian football)|Al Anderson]] (1949–1956)
* [[Keith Rolfe]] (1957–1960)
* [[Joe Ryan (Canadian football)|Joe Ryan]] (1960–1965)
* [[Vic Schwenk]] (1966)
* [[Norm Kimball]] (1966–1985)
* [[Hugh Campbell]] (1986–1996)
* [[Tom Higgins (Canadian football)|Tom Higgins]] (1997–2004)
* [[Paul Jones (Canadian football)|Paul Jones]] (2005–2007)
* [[Danny Maciocia]] (2008–2010)
* [[Eric Tillman]] (2010–2012)
* [[Ed Hervey]] (2013–2016)
* [[Brock Sunderland]] (2017–2021)
* [[Chris Jones (Canadian football coach)|Chris Jones]] (2022–2024)
* [[Geroy Simon]] (2024)
* [[Ed Hervey]] (2025–present)
}}

== CFL awards and trophies ==
{{col-float|width=48%}}
'''[[Grey Cup]]'''
*[[42nd Grey Cup|1954]], [[43rd Grey Cup|1955]], [[44th Grey Cup|1956]], [[63rd Grey Cup|1975]], [[66th Grey Cup|1978]], [[67th Grey Cup|1979]], [[68th Grey Cup|1980]], [[69th Grey Cup|1981]], [[70th Grey Cup|1982]], [[75th Grey Cup|1987]], [[81st Grey Cup|1993]], [[91st Grey Cup|2003]], [[93rd Grey Cup|2005]], [[103rd Grey Cup|2015]]

'''[[N. J. Taylor Trophy]]{{ref label|Note1|a|a}}'''
*{{CFL Year|1952}}, {{CFL Year|1954}}, {{CFL Year|1955}}, {{CFL Year|1956}}, {{CFL Year|1960}}, {{CFL Year|1973}}, {{CFL Year|1974}}, {{CFL Year|1975}}, {{CFL Year|1977}}, {{CFL Year|1978}}, {{CFL Year|1979}}, {{CFL Year|1980}}, {{CFL Year|1981}}, {{CFL Year|1982}}, {{CFL Year|1986}}, {{CFL Year|1987}}, {{CFL Year|1990}}, {{CFL Year|1993}}, {{CFL Year|1996}}, {{CFL Year|2002}}, {{CFL Year|2003}}

'''[[Grey Cup Most Valuable Player|Grey Cup MVP]]'''
*[[Dave Fennell]] (DT): [[66th Grey Cup|1978]], [[70th Grey Cup|1982]]
*[[Tom Wilkinson (Canadian football)|Tom Wilkinson]] (QB): [[66th Grey Cup|1978]]
*[[Warren Moon]] (QB): [[68th Grey Cup|1980]], [[70th Grey Cup|1982]]
*[[Dale Potter]] (LB): [[68th Grey Cup|1980]]
*[[Damon Allen]] (QB): [[75th Grey Cup|1987]], [[81st Grey Cup|1993]]
*[[Stewart Hill]] (DE): [[75th Grey Cup|1987]]
*[[Jason Tucker]] (WR): [[91st Grey Cup|2003]]
*[[Ricky Ray]] (QB): [[93rd Grey Cup|2005]]
*[[Mike Reilly (quarterback)|Mike Reilly]] (QB): [[103rd Grey Cup|2015]]

'''[[Dick Suderman Trophy]]'''
*[[Garry Lefebvre]] (DB): [[61st Grey Cup|1973]]
*[[Dave Cutler (Canadian football)|Dave Cutler]] (K): [[63rd Grey Cup|1975]]
*[[Angelo Santucci]] (RB): [[66th Grey Cup|1978]]
*[[Dale Potter]] (LB): [[68th Grey Cup|1980]]
*[[Neil Lumsden]] (RB): [[69th Grey Cup|1981]]
*[[Dave Fennell]] (DT): [[70th Grey Cup|1982]]
*[[Milson Jones]] (RB): [[75th Grey Cup|1987]]
*[[Sean Fleming (gridiron football)|Sean Fleming]] (P/K): [[81st Grey Cup|1993]]
*[[Mike Maurer]] (FB): [[93rd Grey Cup|2005]]
*[[Shamawd Chambers]] (WR): [[103rd Grey Cup|2015]]

'''[[CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award|Most Outstanding Player Award]]'''
*[[Billy Vessels]] (RB): {{CFL Year|1953}}
*[[Jackie Parker]] (QB/RB): {{CFL Year|1957}}, {{CFL Year|1958}}, {{CFL Year|1960}}
*[[Johnny Bright]] (RB): {{CFL Year|1959}}
*[[George McGowan]] (WR): {{CFL Year|1973}}
*[[Tom Wilkinson (Canadian football)|Tom Wilkinson]] (QB): {{CFL Year|1974}}
*[[Warren Moon]] (QB): {{CFL Year|1983}}
*[[Tracy Ham]] (QB): {{CFL Year|1989}}
*[[Mike Reilly (quarterback)|Mike Reilly]] (QB): {{CFL Year|2017}}

'''[[CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award|Most Outstanding Canadian Award]]'''
*[[Norman Kwong]] (RB): {{CFL Year|1955}}, {{CFL Year|1956}}
*[[Dave Fennell]] (DT): {{CFL Year|1979}}
*[[Blake Marshall]] (FB): {{CFL Year|1991}}
*[[Leroy Blugh]] (DE): {{CFL Year|1996}}
*[[Kamau Peterson]] (WR): {{CFL Year|2008}}
*[[Jerome Messam]] (RB): {{CFL Year|2011}}

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'''[[CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award|Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award]]'''
*[[Danny Kepley]] (LB): {{CFL Year|1977}}, {{CFL Year|1980}}, {{CFL Year|1981}}
*[[Dave Fennell]] (DT): {{CFL Year|1978}}
*[[James "Quick" Parker|James Parker]] (LB): {{CFL Year|1982}}
*[[Danny Bass]] (LB): {{CFL Year|1989}}
*[[Willie Pless]] (LB): {{CFL Year|1992}}, {{CFL Year|1994}}, {{CFL Year|1995}}, {{CFL Year|1996}}, {{CFL Year|1997}}
*[[Elfrid Payton (Canadian football)|Elfrid Payton]] (DE): {{CFL Year|2002}}
*[[J. C. Sherritt]] (LB): {{CFL Year|2012}}

'''[[CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award|Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award]]'''
*[[Charlie Turner (Canadian football)|Charlie Turner]] (OT): {{CFL Year|1975}}
*[[Michael DeForest Wilson|Michael Wilson]] (OT): {{CFL Year|1979}}, {{CFL Year|1980}}
*[[Rod Connop]] (C): {{CFL Year|1989}}

'''[[CFL's Most Outstanding Lineman Award|Most Outstanding Lineman Award]]{{ref label|Note1|a|a}}'''
*[[Roger Nelson (Canadian football)|Roger Nelson]] (OT): {{CFL Year|1959}}
*[[John LaGrone]] (DT): {{CFL Year|1969}}

'''[[CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award|Most Outstanding Rookie Award]]'''
*[[Brian Kelly (Canadian football)|Brian Kelly]] (WR): {{CFL Year|1979}}
*[[Shalon Baker]] (WR): {{CFL Year|1995}}
*[[Dexter McCoil]] (LB): {{CFL Year|2014}}
*[[Derel Walker]] (WR): {{CFL Year|2015}}

'''[[Annis Stukus Trophy]]'''
*[[Ray Jauch]]: {{CFL Year|1970}}
*[[Hugh Campbell]]: {{CFL Year|1979}}
*[[Ron Lancaster]]: {{CFL Year|1996}}
*[[Tom Higgins (Canadian football)|Tom Higgins]]: {{CFL Year|2003}}

'''[[Tom Pate Memorial Award]]'''
*[[David Boone]] (DE): {{CFL Year|1982}}
*[[Hector Pothier]] (OT): {{CFL Year|1988}}
*[[Rick Walters (Canadian football)|Rick Walters]] (SB): {{CFL Year|2001}}
*[[Adarius Bowman]] (WR): {{CFL Year|2017}}
*[[Ryan King (Canadian football)|Ryan King]] (LS): {{CFL Year|2018}}

'''[[Rogers Fans' Choice Award]]{{ref label|Note1|a|a}}'''
*[[Ricky Ray]] (QB): {{CFL Year|2003}}

{{Note label|Note1|a|a}}Defunct

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== Mascots ==
Punter (an [[anthropomorphic]] football) and Spike (an elk) are the mascots for the Edmonton Elks. They were introduced in 2004 and 2021, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mascots|url=https://www.goelks.com/mascot_bios|publisher=CFL Enterprises LP|website=GoElks.com|access-date=June 15, 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619001537/https://www.goelks.com/mascot_bios/ |archive-date=2021-06-19 }}</ref> Nanook, a polar bear, was introduced in 1997, but was retired and replaced with Spike in 2021, coinciding with the rebranding.

==Season-by-season results==
{{Main|List of Edmonton Elks seasons}}

== See also ==
* [[Edmonton Elks all-time records and statistics]]
* [[Canadian Football Hall of Fame]]
* [[Canadian football]]
* [[Comparison of Canadian and American football]]
* [[List of Canadian Football League seasons]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons cat}}
* {{Official website|https://www.goelks.com/}}
* Watch [https://www.nfb.ca/film/football_story ''Football Story''], a 1953 [[National Film Board of Canada]] documentary about the Edmonton Eskimos

{{Edmonton Elks}}
{{Navboxes|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Edmonton Elks|border=2}};|list1=
{{CFL}}
{{Edmonton Elks seasons}}
{{Alberta Sports}}
{{42nd Grey Cup}}
{{43rd Grey Cup}}
{{44th Grey Cup}}
{{63rd Grey Cup}}
{{66th Grey Cup}}
{{67th Grey Cup}}
{{68th Grey Cup}}
{{69th Grey Cup}}
{{70th Grey Cup}}
{{75th Grey Cup}}
{{81st Grey Cup}}
{{91st Grey Cup}}
{{93rd Grey Cup}}
{{103rd Grey Cup}}
{{Native American mascot controversy}}
}}

[[Category:Edmonton Elks| ]]
[[Category:Sports clubs and teams established in 1949]]
[[Category:Canadian Football League teams]]
[[Category:Canadian football teams in Edmonton]]
[[Category:1949 establishments in Alberta]]
[[Category:Name changes due to the George Floyd protests]]