After a 17-year absence, the Saskatchewan Roughriders returned to the Grey Cup final. Their losing streak in the big game continued, however, as it was the other Rough Riders that took home the prize.^[1]

Canadian football news in 1951

The BC Lions were formed in January at the Arctic Club in Vancouver; however, the franchise would begin play at the start of the 1954 season.

E. Kent Philips of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, was appointed WIFU Commissioner. The IRFU allowed the third-place Toronto Argonauts to be in the playoffs due to similar regular season records with the other top two teams.

On October 27, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh (later Queen Elizabeth II) attended the western semi-final in Edmonton.^[2]

Regular season

Final regular season standings

Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, Pts = Points

• Bold text means that they have clinched the playoffs.
• Saskatchewan and Ottawa both have first round byes.
• McMaster University started ORFU play in October. It played 4 point games

Grey Cup playoffs

Note: All dates in 1951

Semifinals

• The Edmonton Eskimos went on to play the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the WIFU Finals.

• Hamilton won the total-point series by 31–28. The Tiger-Cats went on to play the Ottawa Rough Riders in the IRFU Finals.

Finals

• Saskatchewan won the best of three series 2–1. The Roughriders advanced to the Grey Cup game.

• Sarnia won the total-point series by 56–53. The Imperials went on to play the Ottawa Rough Riders in the Eastern finals.

• Ottawa won the best of three series 2–0. The Rough Riders went on to play the Sarnia Imperials in the Eastern finals.

Eastern Finals

• The Ottawa Rough Riders advanced to the Grey Cup game.

Playoff bracket

Grey Cup Championship

1951 Interprovincial Rugby Football Union All-Stars

NOTE: During this time most players played both ways, so the All-Star selections do not distinguish between some offensive and defensive positions.

1951 Western Interprovincial Football Union All-Stars

NOTE: During this time most players played both ways, so the All-Star selections do not distinguish between some offensive and defensive positions.

1951 Ontario Rugby Football Union All-Stars

NOTE: During this time most players played both ways, so the All-Star selections do not distinguish between some offensive and defensive positions.

1951 Canadian Football Awards

• Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy (IRFU MVP) – Bruce Cummings (FW), Ottawa Rough Riders
• Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy (WIFU MVP) - Glenn Dobbs (QB), Saskatchewan Roughriders
• Gruen Trophy (IRFU Rookie of the Year) - Bruno Bitkowski (C/DE) Ottawa Rough Riders
• Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy (WIFU Rookie of the Year) - Jim Chambers (HB), Edmonton Eskimos
• Imperial Oil Trophy (ORFU MVP) - Bruce Mattingly (C), Sarnia Imperials