Tony Pajaczkowski
No. 66, 67, 56, 52, 50 | |
1966–1967 | Montreal Alouettes |
---|---|
Career highlights and awards | |
CFL All-Star | 1962–1965 |
CFL East All-Star | 1966 |
CFL West All-Star | 1960–1965 |
Awards | 1961 - CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award |
Career stats | |
Tony "Paj"
Coming from the Verdun Shamcats in Montreal, Pajaczkowski played 11 seasons with the Calgary Stampeders (1955–1965) and two seasons with the Montreal Alouettes (1966–1967). He was a CFL All-Star four times (1962–1965) and won the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award in 1961 (after being runner-up in 1960). He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
Early life and education
Pajaczkowski was born on May 31, 1936, in
Professional career
In December 1954, Pajaczkowski and Geary were signed by the
Pajaczkowski signed a contract extension in March 1957.
Due to pronunciation difficulties, announcer Jack Wells refused to mention Pajaczkowski's name (pronounced pa-jə-KOW-skee) in all of the Calgary game broadcasts from 1955 to 1959.[2][16]
Pajaczkowski appeared in 16 games in 1960, helping Calgary reach the second round of the WIFU playoffs.[17] In addition to being their starting guard, he was the team's backup kickoff specialist that year, making 27 kickoffs for 1495 yards, a 55.4 yard average.[17] He was the Stampeders' nominee for the Schenley Most Outstanding Canadian Award and was the runner-up for the honor.[8]
In 1961, Pajaczkowski made 51 kickoffs for 2845 yards, an average of 55.8 yards per kick, and started all 16 games at guard, being named to the Western Football Conference All-Star team and earning the Most Outstanding Canadian Award.[18][19]
The following year, Pajaczkowski was named for the first time of his career to the CFL All-Star team.[20] He was one of six Stampeders to be given that honor.[20] In 1963, he was named all-star for the second consecutive season.[21][22] He was named all-star for a third time in 1964 and in 1965 earned his fourth-straight all-star honor.[23][24]
On May 19, 1966, Pajaczkowski was traded to the
Later life and death
After retiring, Pajaczkowski accepted a position as line coach at Loyola College in Montreal.[28]
In 1988, Pajaczkowski was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.[29]
Pajaczkowski lived in Port Hope, Ontario, where he died on June 4, 2022, four days after his 86th birthday.[3]
References
- ^
- ^ Montreal Gazette.
- ^ a b c "Tony Pajaczkowski Stats". Pro Football Archives.
- ^
- ^
- ^ a b c "Tony Pajaczkowski". Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
- ^ "1956 Calgary Stampeders (WIFU)". Pro Football Archives.
- ^
- ^ "1957 Calgary Stampeders (WIFU)". Pro Football Archives.
- ^ "1958 Calgary Stampeders (WIFU)". Pro Football Archives.
- ^ a b "1960 Calgary Stampeders (WIFU)". Pro Football Archives.
- ^ "1961 Calgary Stampeders (CFL)". Pro Football Archives.
- ^
- ^ "1966 Montreal Alouettes (CFL)". Pro Football Archives.