Tom Pate Memorial Award, selected annually by the Canadian Football League Players' Association, 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.
The award is named in the memory of deceased CFL player Tom Pate. A 23-year-old rookie with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, on October 11, 1975 he was critically injured in a game against the Calgary Stampeders. He never regained consciousness and died three days later.
The award is also known as the CFLPA's Tom Pate Outstanding Community Service Award.
References
Tom Pate Memorial Award Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA