Rollie Miles Elmer Roland " Rollie " Miles ( February 16 , 1927 - August 17 , 1995 ) was a professional football player for the Canadian Football League Edmonton Eskimos . Miles played offence ( running back ) , defence ( linebacker , defensive back ) , and special teams ( kickoff / punt returner , punter ) , during his eleven career with the Eskimos . Miles is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame , the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame , and the Edmonton Eskimos Wall of Honour . In November , 2006 , Miles was voted one of the CFL ' s Top 50 players ( # 48 ) of the league ' s modern era by Canadian sports network TSN . Early life and college career . Miles was born in Washington , D . C . and attended college at St . Augustine ' s College in Raleigh , North Carolina . At St . Augustine ' s , Miles excelled in baseball , football and track and field . Miles initially left the United States for Canada to play baseball in Regina , Saskatchewan , but was convinced by the famed Annis Stukus to play football for the Edmonton Eskimos . He would continue to play semi - professional baseball in Canada during his CFL career . Professional football career . Miles was one of the most versatile players in history of the CFL during his eleven - year ( 1951 to 1961 ) career with the Edmonton Eskimos . As a defensive player ( linebacker and defensive back ) , Miles intercepted 38 passes for 547 yards . As a special teams player , Miles returned punts ( finishing with 279 punt returns for 2 , 085 yards ) and kickoffs ( 88 returns for 2 , 131 yards ) , and punted on occasion . On offence , Miles was often found in a backfield with such CFL greats as Jackie Parker , Normie Kwong , Johnny Bright , Bernie Faloney and Don Getty , he could run or pass on the option with skill . Selected as a CFL Western Conference All - Star eight times ( three at running back , three at defensive back , two at linebacker ) Miles was also named the Eskimos ' team Most Valuable Player three times . Miles played in five CFL Grey Cup championship games , winning three during the Eskimos ' dynasty of successive Grey Cup titles in 1954 , 1955 , and 1956 . Miles played in the famous 1954 Grey Cup game with separated ribs , but still helped his underdog team win that classic game . Miles was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1980 . The Eskimos added Miles ' # 18 jersey to its Wall of Honour in 1983 . The City of Edmonton named the Rollie Miles Athletic Field in his honor . Later life and death . Miles received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alberta in 1956 , and began work in the off season with the Edmonton Catholic School Board , where he taught school and organized high school sports . Miles continued working with the Edmonton Catholic School Board upon his retirement from the CFL in 1961 . Miles and his wife , Dr . Marianne Miles , had seven children : Craig " Tony " Miles , Rolanda Miles , Michelle Miles , Monica Lipscombe , Rollie Miles , Jr . ( lineman on the University of Alberta Golden Bears 1980 Vanier Cup national championship football team , and Most Valuable Player of the 1980 Churchill Bowl ) , Brett Miles ( noted singer , songwriter and saxophonist ) , < ref name = " Magilla Funk Conduit CD Release / Review " > < / ref > and Mario Miles ( co - founder of the Millwood Grizzlies Minor Football Association in Edmonton in 1996 , and coach from 1996 to 2003 ) . One of his grandchildren is Canadian rapper Cadence Weapon ( Rollie Pemberton ) . Miles died in 1995 in Edmonton , and is interred at Holy Cross Cemetery , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada , the same cemetery as his Eskimo teammate , Johnny Bright .