At each Grey Cup, the Canadian Football League Players’ Association has the honour of presenting the Tom Pate Award. It is an award presented not just for one’s ability to perform on the field, but rather it is an award given to a player who also displays qualities that distinguish them from their peers off the field as well.
The CFLPA is proud to announce Adam Bighill from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as the 2024 Tom Pate Award recipient. Throughout his years in Winnipeg, Adam’s dedication goes far beyond the field, dedicating his time within the Winnipeg community. As the President of Making Faces, he inspires confidence and resilience in young people facing facial differences, guiding them to embrace their uniqueness with strength. He also shares his passion for football and youth development through Recruit Ready, where he coaches varsity and youth athletes, participates in fundraisers, and lends his expertise in board meetings. In addition, Adam contributes his time to Football Manitoba, coaching flag football, and supports the Manitoba Minor Football Association, helping to nurture the next generation of football talent. His commitment to giving back is a shining example of leadership, and we are thrilled to recognize him for his incredible impact.
Tom Pate had a unique combination of outstanding sportsmanship, dedication and sense of community. He was educated at the University of Nebraska where he majored in business administration while playing for the Cornhuskers. He joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1975 and as a rookie played 14 regular season games. In October 1975, his life was abruptly ended, when in his fourteenth game against the Stampeders in Calgary, he suffered an aneurysm in the fourth quarter. Pate, only 23 at the time, never regained consciousness and passed away just two days later.
Each year, the current CFLPA membership across the league select a teammate to be nominated for this award and represent their respective team. The recipient embodies the qualities that distinguished Tom Pate; qualities that recognize a Player with outstanding sportsmanship, a Player who has made a contribution to his team as well as to his community and to his Association. From the 9 Team nominees, one individual member is selected to receive the honour of being awarded the Tom Pate Award for that season.
Mark Perry is the founder and editor of CFL News Hub. A dedicated and experienced football analyst, he has been providing comprehensive coverage of the sport since 2018.
