Nick Arakgi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nick Arakgi, born September 8, 1955, was a star receiver in the Canadian Football League.

Arakgi graduated from Bishop's University in 1978, where he played with the Gaiters. In 1978 he was selected as the Gaiters’ Most Valuable Player as well as receiving the Sid Hart Trophy as the top Male Athlete of the Year at Bishop’s. He was inducted into the Bishop's University Wall of Distinction in 2004.

He began a 7 year career with the Montreal Alouettes (and the Montreal Concordes) in 1979, playing a total of 110 regular season games and the 1979 Grey Cup game. He caught 327 passes in Montreal, with 89 of those coming in 1982. He was an all star in 1982, 1984 and 1985, and added the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award in 1984.

Unfortunately, he suffered a very serious injury, a broken neck bone, in the 1986 preseason, and did not play that year. Remarkably, he returned in 1987 to play for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, catching 43 more passes and winning the Tom Pate Memorial Award for his inspirational comeback.

Arakgi finished his football career with 370 receptions, 27 touchdowns and 4,865 receiving yards.

Presently, he is a general manager with Viacom Outdoor - CBS Outdoor Advertising and on the Board of Directors for the Out of Home Marketing Association.