Tom Pate Memorial Award, selected annually by the

Canadian Football League Players' Association The Canadian Football League Players' Association (CFLPA) represents Canadian football players in the Canadian Football League (CFL). The association was established in 1965, when local lawyer John Agro became concerned by the number of Hamilton ...

, is awarded to a player with outstanding sportsmanship and someone who has made a significant contribution to his team, his community and Association. The award winner must display these qualities such that it distinguishes him from his peers.Gibsons Finest Player Awards
/ref> The award is named in the memory of deceased

CFL The Canadian Football League (CFL; , LCF) is a professional Canadian football league in Canada. It comprises nine teams divided into two divisions, with four teams in the East Division and five in the West Division. The CFL is the highest pr ...

player Tom Pate. A 23-year-old rookie with the

Hamilton Tiger-Cats The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a professional Canadian football team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are currently members of the East Division (CFL), East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The Tiger-Cats play their home game ...

, on October 11, 1975, he was critically injured in a game against the

Calgary Stampeders The Calgary Stampeders are a professional Canadian football team based in Calgary, Alberta. The Stampeders compete in the West Division (CFL), West Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The club plays its home games at McMahon Stadium a ...

. He never regained consciousness and died three days later. The award is also known as the CFLPA's Tom Pate Outstanding Community Service Award.

Tom Pate Memorial Award winners

''Source:''

References

{{Tom Pate Award Canadian Football League trophies and awards 1976 establishments in Canada Awards established in 1976