For Immediate Release 

August 11, 2025

Football Ontario Mourns the Loss of Hall of Fame Official Ken Green

Hall of Fame Ken Green Leaves Behind Over 60 years of Impact on Football

Hamilton, Ontario – Football Ontario is deeply saddened to share the passing of Ken Green, a towering figure in the province’s football community whose contributions as an official, leader, and mentor spanned more than six decades.

Ken began his officiating journey in 1956 while studying at the University of Toronto. With no playing experience but a quick grasp of the game, he developed into one of the most respected officials in Canadian football history. Over his remarkable career, Ken officiated thousands of games at every level, from high school and club football to multiple Vanier Cups, and served as Referee-in-Chief of OUA Football for over 25 years.

His dedication to the sport extended far beyond the field. Ken was the longtime editor of the Canadian Football Amateur Rule Book and served as the supervisor of CFL officials for 12 years. He mentored countless officials, many of whom advanced to U SPORTS and the CFL, and was widely regarded as the “guru” of amateur football officiating in Canada. His influence is honored through the Ken Green Award, presented biannually to an official for outstanding contribution and dedication toward the improvement of football officiating in the province of Ontario.

Ken’s excellence and service were recognized with nearly every major officiating award in the country, including the prestigious Tom Cheney Award. In 2023, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Football Ontario Hall of Fame in the Builder category.

The football community will remember Ken’s humility, humor, and unwavering dedication to the game. Football Ontario extends our deepest condolences to the Green family during this difficult time.

Ken Green’s legacy will live on through the officials he mentored, the standards he set, and the countless games he helped shape.

 FOR MORE INFORMATION:

www.footballontario.net
ABOUT FOOTBALL ONTARIO: Football Ontario is the sanctioned provincial governing body for football in Ontario, through its focus on transparency, growth, alignment and excellence, is engaged in providing football opportunities for all of Ontario. Football Ontario is driven by a commitment to deliver football programming, opportunities and resources for its members and the provincial football stakeholders. Please visit: footballontario.net