Winners: Tony Golab, Football
Tony Golab in mid-air.
Date: 1939-1950
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
1941 - Feature Story
As a nine-time All-Canadian running back, fans were used to seeing the spectacular from Tony Golab of the Ottawa Rough Riders. In 1941, he won the Jeff Russel Trophy, given to the player deemed most valuable in what was called the Big Four. But it was in the Grey Cup in the wind and mud at Toronto’s Varsity Stadium that he pulled off perhaps his most remarkable play. Punting from his own 40-yard-line, he angled a short punt to the Winnipeg 45 yard-line, then raced down, fielded the punt on the hop and darted into the end zone for a touchdown. It was a play that had not been seen in any Grey Cup game before. Winnipeg rallied to win, 18-16, overcoming Golab’s amazing play.
Career Highlights
- 1985 Appointed to the Order of Canada
- 1941 Lionel Conacher Award (Canada’s male athlete of the year)
- 1941 Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy (Interprovincial Rugby Football Union’s (Big Four) Most Outstanding Player)
- 1940 Grey Cup with the Ottawa Rough Riders
- 1939, 1940, 1945, 1947, 1948 All-Eastern Divisional All-Star
Tony Golab standing on a football field.
Date: 1939-1950
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Tony Golab running down the field with the football.
Date: 1939-1950
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Tony Golab running down the field with the football.
Date: 1939-1950
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Portrait of Tony Golab.
Date: 1939-1950
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Football pants worn by Tony Golab when he played back fielder for the Ottawa Rough Riders.
Date: 1939-1950
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Football jersey worn by Tony Golab when he played back fielder for the Ottawa Rough Riders.
Date: 1939-1950
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Tony Golab standing on a football field.
Date: 1939-1950
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
