Courtesy Toronto Sun:

It has been lost, broken, and even held for ransom.

Such is the history of Canada’s oldest professional sports trophy: the Grey Cup.

It’s probably not what Lord Albert Henry Earl Grey envisioned when he had the trophy made in 1909. But since that time, the Cup has made its rounds all across Canada and parts of the United States. No wonder there have been a few interesting tales along the way:

2006: SNAPPED IN TWO

The B.C. Lions didn’t have much time to enjoy their new piece of hardware. Immediately following the trophy presentation, Lions guard Kelly Bates shook the Cup in celebration and accidentally snapped it in two.

2002: RETURNED IN PIECES

The Montreal Alouettes had a little bit too much fun in the weeks following their Grey Cup victory. By the time the trophy was returned to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, it was in three pieces.

1997: JOKE GONE WRONG

The only thing worse than a damaged Grey Cup? A missing one. Argos kicker Mike Vanderjagt had the trophy stolen from a bar in his hometown of Oakville. It was found the next day after a girl, who jokingly said the night before that she would pay $100 for it, found the Cup in her apartment and called the police.

1993: SHOT TO THE HEAD

Edmonton’s Blake Dermott got a little carried away in his post-game celebration. Dermott gave the trophy a vicious head-butt that left its mark on the Cup and his forehead.

1969: HELD FOR RANSOM

The Cup was stolen from Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park and held for ransom. To the surprise of no one, the CFL refused to pay a single penny and the police eventually found it in a locker at a local hotel.

1947: SURVIVES FIRE

The trophy almost was destroyed by a fire while on display at the Toronto Argonauts Rowing Club. The office was completely ruined but the Cup made it out relatively unscathed.