The Eskimos' record breaking 5th Grey Cup victory looked in jeopardy at mid-season, with their 3 and 5 record. But, 10 straight victories pitted them against the underdog Toronto Argonauts. The Boatmen last won a cup in 1952, and their fans were thrilled with expectation. Winners of only 2 games the previous season, they had a 9-6-1 record.
The game, played in a driving rainstorm, started well for Toronto. After a Dave Cutler field goal, new acquired Emanuel Tolbert went 84 yards with a touchdown pass. The Eskimos replied with a Brian Kelly TD reception, but the Argos scored again, with a 10 yard pass to Terry Greer.
With Toronto leading 14 to 10, Edmonton and Warren Moon (the game MVP) would not look back. Another TD pass to Brian Kelly and a Neil Lumsden TD rush, and 3 more Cutler field goals sealed the final Grey Cup victory for the CFL's greatest dynasty.
Moon completed 21 of 33 passes for 319 yards, all the while having to throw in the freezing rain.
The 1982 Grey Cup broadcast drew the largest Canadian TV audience up to that time.
In 1982, the Toronto Argonauts were still playing home games at Exhibition Stadium. The players and fans were forced to endure awful conditions due to the rain and cold--a problem exacerbated by the fact that much of the stadium was completely exposed to the elements. Many fans had to watch the game from the concession area. Fans began to demand a dome the following day; at a rally at Toronto City Hall, thousands of fans who had come to see the Eskimos began chanting "We want a dome!" As a result, discussions began which would ultimately lead to the building of the SkyDome (now Rogers Centre).
This was the third time in five years that the baseball-renovated Exhibition Stadium hosted the game (it also hosted the game in 1978 and 1980), and the twelfth and final time overall. While the stadium only trails nearby Varsity Stadium for times hosting the Grey Cup, it is unlikely to be matched for some time, as the next-closest stadium, BC Place Stadium, hosted the 102nd Grey Cup for its ninth time hosting the game.