According to the Canadian Press on Friday, Hamilton Tiger-Cats General Manager Ted Goveia of Burlington, Ontario passed away on Friday at the age of 55 due to cancer. The death occurred on the same day the Tiger-Cats defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers by a score of 32-21. With the win, the Tiger-Cats improved to a record of eight wins and five losses, and lead the East Division.
Goveia became the Tiger-Cats general manager on December 3. He disclosed his cancer diagnosis in June, and according to the Canadian Press, it was a serious form of esophageal cancer.
Goveia was formerly the senior assistant general manager and director of player personnel for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Ironically it was the Blue Bombers that lost to the Tiger-Cats on Friday. Goveia was with the Blue Bombers initially in 2013 as their assistant general manager and director of player personnel, and received a promotion to senior assistant general manager after the Blue Bombers won the 2019 Grey Cup. The Blue Bombers defeated the Tiger-Cats 33-12 at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. After being promoted, Goveia led the Blue Bombers to the 2021 Grey Cup. Winnipeg defeated the Tiger-Cats again 33-25 at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario.
Prior to his time in Winnipeg, Goveia had an impact in Canadian University football. He was a coach at Mount Allison University and McMaster University before being named the head coach and general manager of the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds from 2006 to 2009.
Goveia was then the director of player personnel, running backs coach and director of Canadian Scouting for the Toronto Argonauts from 2009 to 2012. While with the Argonauts, Goveia won a Grey Cup in 2012. The Argonauts beat the Calgary Stampeders 35-22 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario.
