Winners: Melvin (Fritzie) Hanson, Football
Fritz Hanson running with a football.
Date: 1935-1948
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
1939 - Feature Story
Fritzie Hanson was a ground-breaking running back and kick returner. He led his Winnipeg Blue Bombers to the 1939 Grey Cup, a tense 8-7 decision over Ottawa on a snow-covered field at Lansdowne Park. The Minnesota-born Hanson was the first of the many great “imported” stars in Canadian football. In 1939, despite standing only 5 feet 7 inches and weighing 145 pounds, he was the All-Western running back, leading Winnipeg to a 10-2 regular-season record and a decisive romp over Calgary in the Western final. Hanson’s speed and kick-returning abilities, which earned him the nicknames of Twinkle Toes and The Golden Ghost, helped pave the road to Canada for generations of football “imports.” Their impact all began with his.
Career Highlights
- 1948 Grey Cup with Calgary
- 1939 Lionel Conacher Award (Canada’s male athlete of the year)
- 1938 Dave Dryburgh Memorial Trophy (Leading Scorer, WIFU)
- 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941 All-Western running back
- 1935, 1939, 1941 Grey Cup with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Fritz Hanson running with a football.
Date: 1935-1948
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Fritz Hanson wearing his football uniform.
Date: 1935-1948
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Fritz Hanson running with a football.
Date: 1935-1948
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Fritz Hanson jumping with a football.
Date: 1935-1948
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Fritz Hanson running on a slant with a football.
Date: 1935-1948
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Fritz Hanson running with a football.
Date: 1935-1948
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Fritz Hanson running with a football under his arm.
Date: 1935-1948
Collection: Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame & Museum
Fritz Hanson (left) with Bing Crosby (right) on a hunting trip in Northern Manitoba.
Date: 1960-1975
Collection: Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame & Museum
