TORONTO – During the CFL Awards tonight at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto, ON, Toronto Argonauts defensive back Matt Black was officially honoured as the 2016 Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award recipient. Black joins Andre Durie and James Yurichuk as the third Argonaut to receive the award since it was first presented in 2010.
“Being the recipient of the Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award is very humbling and I feel extremely honoured to have my name on a trophy associated with the veterans that have served this country,” said Black.
“I would like to thank the Toronto Argonauts organization for being so community minded and supporting players’ efforts to give back. This award is a reflection of the love and care that has raised me and those who have had a positive impact on my life. For this, I am truly grateful.”
The Jake Gaudaur Veterans award is presented annually to a CFL Player who best demonstrates the attributes that have always defined Canada’s veterans: Strength, Perseverance, Courage, Comradeship, and Contribution to Canadian communities.
Black was selected as this year’s recipient of the Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Trophy thanks to his efforts as a leader both on and off the field. He has been a constant fixture in the community and has portrayed perseverance throughout his on-field career, battling through scrutiny over his size and athletic ability, multiple serious injuries, and a childhood diagnosis of dyslexia.
“At the Argos we pride ourselves in giving back to our community and no one exemplifies that on our team more than Matt,” said Argonauts President & CEO Michael Copeland. “Matt has been a leader and a great ambassador across countless community programs since the first day he joined our team. We couldn’t be more proud, and most of all, more grateful for everything he has done to deserve this tremendous recognition.”
| WATCH: Black accepts Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award |
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Since being drafted by the Toronto Argonauts, the Toronto native has committed to being part of the local community around him and strongly demonstrated his commitment in a number of ways. Matt has been an ambassador for the Argos renowned Huddle Up and Level the Playing Field programs and community initiatives, a dedicated minor football volunteer, and a spokesman and ambassador for Canadian Blood Services/One Match and the White Ribbon Campaign.
As someone who appreciates how much football has given him, he wants to see the sport grow in Toronto and across Canada, which has led to heavy involvement as a coach and guest speaker at practices, as well as a continued presence at fundraisers and events for high schools and minor football associations. Moreover, in keeping with the CFL’s interest in growing the game across the nation, he has traveled to Eastern Canada with CFL colleagues and teammates to run satellite minor football camps during the offseason.
Jake Gaudaur was a Canadian hero. A Canadian fighter pilot instructor during the Second World War, he won Grey Cups as both a player and an executive before serving as commissioner of the CFL from 1968 to 1984. His story embodies the historic bond between the league and our Veterans, one that is celebrated with the presentation of the Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award.