Tony Gabriel
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Tony Gabriel was a pass receiver in the Canadian Football League from 1971 to 1981.
Life
Tony was born in Burlington, Ontario on December 11, 1948, and attended Burlington Central High School from 1962 to 1967. While at BCHS, Tony played both football and basketball. He was a member of the Junior Basketball Championship team from 1965. He was honoured in 1967, with the M.M. Robinson Gold Medal for top student athlete at BCHS.
Two memories that stick out in Tony’s mind from being a Trojan were, firstly, not making the football team in his grade ten year; and in his grade 13 year, scoring 48 points in a senior basketball game to completely outscore the entire Nelson team.
Tony was active throughout high school playing junior football for the Burlington Braves under the direction of Bernie Custis. From there he attended Syracuse University from 1968-1971 where her played split-end for coach Ben Schwartzwalder. Following his time in college, Tony went on to have a legendary professional football career in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 1971–1974, and with the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1975–1981.
Tony presently resides in Oakville, Ontario with his wife Susanne. Together they have an extended family of eight children. Tony is currently vice-president and an investment advisor for CIBC Wood Gundy.
In 1978 he was awarded the Schenley Award for the Most Valuable Player in the CFL, becoming the first Canadian to win the prize in almost 10 years. No Canadian has won the award since.
The 1981 Grey Cup game saw the Rough Riders play the Edmonton Eskimos. Gabriel entered the game with a partial ligament tear in his left knee. Late in the game following a questionable penalty, Gabriel left the game when his knee finally gave out, never to play professionally again.
He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in August 1984.
Highlights
- Sophomore Year – Syracuse University: Devil's Own Trophy: Top Student-Athlete
- Junior Year – Syracuse University: Orange Key Trophy: Outstanding Student-athlete; All-East Honours
- Senior Year – Syracuse University: Bill Horr Trophy: MVP of the Year – Syracuse U.
- Final Game: set a record for a 4 T.D. game vs. Miami
- 1972 – Won Grey Cup with Hamilton Tiger Cats
- 1974, 76, 77, 78 – Voted Schenley for Most Outstanding Canadian in the Grey Cup
- 1976 – Won Grey Cup with Ottawa Rough Riders
- 1978 – Selected as Schenley Award winner for Most Outstanding Player in CFL
- 1972 – Selected All-East All-Star team for CFL
- 1972, 1974-1980 (inclusive) – Selected All-Canadian All-Star team for CFL
- 1985 – Inducted into "The Canadian Football Hall of Fame"
- 1985 – Inducted into "Canada's Sports Hall of Fame"
Awards
Schenley Nominations
- Outstanding Player 1977, 78 (won), 81
- Outstanding Canadian 1973, 74 (won) 1976 (won), 77 (won), 78 (won), 79, 81
- 1978
- 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981
- 72-74 Hamilton
- 75-81 Ottawa
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