Gruen Trophy
The Gruen Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy, formerly given to the most outstanding Canadian rookie in the East Division. The award, sponsored by the Gruen Watch Co. and inaugurated in 1946,[1] was discontinued and the trophy retired in 1973, as the CFL chose to award the Schenley Award to the best rookie, regardless of nationality.
Prior to 1959, rookie players who were Canadian and had played only junior or high school football were eligible. This was changed to include university athletes when future Hall-of-Famer Russ Jackson, a graduate of McMaster University, began his career but did not win the award.[2]
Winners
1972 – Bob Richardson (OL), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
1971 – Jim Foley (SB), Montreal Alouettes
1970 – Jim Corrigall (DL), Toronto Argonauts
1969 – Al Phaneuf (DB), Montreal Alouettes
1968 – Dave Knechtel (DL), Toronto Argonauts
1967 – Wayne Giardino (LB), Ottawa Rough Riders
1966 – Mike Wadsworth (DL), Toronto Argonauts
1965 – Terry Evanshen (WR), Montreal Alouettes
1964 – Al Irwin (WR), Montreal Alouettes
1963 – Rick Black (P/FB), Ottawa Rough Riders
1962 – Whit Tucker (WR), Ottawa Rough Riders
1961 – Gino Berretta (OE/P), Montreal Alouettes
1960 – Bill Mitchell (G/LB), Toronto Argonauts
1959 – Joe Poirier (DB), Ottawa Rough Riders
1958 – Ron Brewer (LB), Toronto Argonauts
1957 – Gary W.C. Williams (HB), Toronto Argonauts
1956 – Tommy Grant (RB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
1955 – Ed Mularchyk (E), Ottawa Rough Riders
1954 – Ron Howell (WR), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
1953 – Bob Dawson (RB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
1952 – John Fedosoff (RB), Toronto Argonauts
1951 – Bruno Bitkowski (C/DE) Ottawa Rough Riders
1950 – Bob McDonald (RB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
1949 – Jim Loreno (HB), Hamilton Wildcats
1948 – Keith English (E), Montreal Alouettes
1947 – Nelson Greene (FB), Ottawa Rough Riders
1946 – Bernie Brennan (HB), Ottawa Rough Riders
Notes
^ "Gruen Trophy Goes to Bernie Brennan", Ottawa Citizen, February 20, 1947
^ Kinsella's Corner, Rookie of the Year isn't eligible to win (Jack Kinsella) Ottawa Citizen – November 5, 1958
References
- Hamilton Tiger-Cats website
- Canadian Football Hall of Fame website