In the last game of the 1951 Big Four regular season, Ulysses Curtis of the Toronto Argonauts had intercepted the ball and had a clear run for a touchdown when Karpuk rushed off the Ottawa Rough Riders bench to tackle him at the Ottawa 24-yard line.[1]
After a 15-minute delay, the referee ruled that Toronto could not be awarded a touchdown or a new play at the 1-yard line, but would have to take their next play from the 12-yard line with a man advantage—a rule that Karpuk knew because he had discussed it in the past.[2] The tactic was afterwards called "a Karpuk" by at least one commentator when it was used again in American football.[3]
He won the Grey Cup with the Rough Riders that year.[4]
Ten years later he was broke and was sentenced to three months in jail after pleading guilty to stealing $110 from a store;[3] but the conviction was quashed on appeal.[5]
^"Big Four Finishes in Three-Way Deadlock:Argos Top Riders, 23–18, As Pete Karpuk Rushes From Bench to Tackle". Globe and Mail. Toronto. 1951-11-05. p. 19.
^Hal Walker (1951-11-05). "Blame the Rules, NOT Pete Karpuk". Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. 18.
^ ab"Ex–Big Four Player Jailed in $110 Theft". Globe and Mail. Toronto. 1961-08-10. p. 4.
