The Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy is presented annually to the Canadian Football League (CFL) player " who best demonstrates the attributes of Canada's veterans in times of war, peace and military conflict." The award was first presented in 2010, and the first recipient was Mike McCullough of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The award is presented by the CFL and Veterans Affairs Canada to jointly recognize the contributions of Gaudaur and the sacrifices of Canada's military veterans. Jake Gaudaur, the award's namesake, served as CFL Commissioner from 1968 until 1984, after playing for the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes. He served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II.
As with other CFL awards, the Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy is presented during Grey Cup week. For the inaugural award, current Minister of Veterans Affairs Jean-Pierre Blackburn was on hand to present the trophy to McCullough. The Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy was established as part of the CFL's 2010 Veterans Tribute, a series of activities organized by the league to commemorate "the achievements and sacrifices of Canadian Veterans during times of war, military conflict and peace."
The judges involved in selecting the winner for the Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy in 2010 included CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon, broadcaster Glen Suitor, CFL Players Association president Stu Laird, Dominion Treasurer of the Royal Canadian Legion Michael Cook and Assistant Deputy Minister for Service Delivery and Commemoration, Veterans Affairs Canada Keith Hillier. The judges selected McCullough based on his perseverance, comradeship, community service, strength and courage.
Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy winners 2025 – Logan Ferland (OL), Saskatchewan Roughriders 2024 – Jorgen Hus (LS), Saskatchewan Roughriders 2023 – Brayden Lenius (REC), Saskatchewan Roughriders 2022 – Dan Clark (C), Saskatchewan Roughriders 2021 – Chris Van Zeyl (OT), Hamilton Tiger-Cats 2020 – season cancelled – COVID-19 2019 – Martin Bédard (LS), Montreal Alouettes 2018 – Rolly Lumbala (FB) BC Lions 2017 – Luc Brodeur-Jourdain (C), Montreal Alouettes 2016 – Matt Black (DB), Toronto Argonauts 2015 – Jeff Perrett (OT), Montreal Alouettes 2014 – James Yurichuk (LB), Toronto Argonauts 2013 – Shea Emry (LB), Montreal Alouettes 2012 – Graeme Bell (FB) – Saskatchewan Roughriders 2011 – Andre Durie (RB/SB), Toronto Argonauts 2010 – Mike McCullogh (LB), Saskatchewan Roughriders
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