Norm Fieldgate
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Norm Fieldgate | |
|---|---|
 1959 Topps CFL Card Norm Fieldgate |
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| Date of birth | January 12, 1932 |
| Place of birth | Regina, Saskatchewan |
| Position(s) | Defensive End/Linebacker |
| College | University of Regina |
| Team(s) | |
| 1954-1967 |
British Columbia Lions |
| Canadian Football Hall of Fame | 62 |
Norm "Mouse" Fieldgate (born January 12, 1932) is a former professional Canadian football player. Fieldgate played defensive end and linebacker with the Canadian Football League British Columbia Lions for his entire, 14 year career. Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Fieldgate is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, and the B.C. Lions Wall of Fame. Fieldgate's #75 jersey is one of eight numbers retired by the B.C. Lions.[1] The Norm Fieldgate Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding defensive player in the CFL Western Division, is named in is honor.
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[edit] Amateur Football Career
Fieldgate did not play college football, but instead played amateur Canadian football for the Regina Rams of the Canadian Junior Football League.
[edit] Professional Football Career
Following his amateur career, Fiedlgate was recruited by CFL legend and the first head coach of the B.C. Lions Annis Stukus, to join the B.C. Lions for their inaugural, 1954 season. Fieldgate played tight end, defensive end, linebacker, and defensive back for the Lions over his 14 year career, but achieved the most success as a linebacker.[2] Fieldgate is widely considered one of the best Canadian outside linebackers to have ever played the game.[2]
Fieldgate was one of only two "original" Lions with the club when the Lions won their first Grey Cup Championship in 1964 (the other was Fieldgate's teammate By Bailey). Fieldgate was also the longest serving original Lion, with a career that spanned 14 years and 223 games.[3] In 1959, 1960, and 1963, Fieldgate was named to the CFL Western Division All-Star Team as a linebacker.[2] In 1963, Fieldgate was also named a CFL All-Star.
In 1962, Fieldgate was honored with a "Norm Fieldgate Night" by the B.C. Lions, the second player to receive such an honor.[2] In 1965, Fieldgate won the Bobby Bourne Memorial Trophy as the Lions' "Most Popular Player." In 2003, Fieldgate was voted a member of the B.C. Lions All-Time Dream Team, at the linebacker position, as part of the club’s 50 year anniversary celebration.[4]
Fieldgate was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 1970, and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1979.[2]
[edit] Post Football Life
Following his retirement from the B.C. Lions in 1967, Fieldgate started his own company, and worked for the B.C. Lions as president in the 1980's. He remains active with Lions' alumni and charitable events in the greater Vancouver area.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ B.C. Lions Retired Numbers. BCLions.com. Retrieved on 2006-09-05.
- ^ a b c d e Canadian Football Hall of Fame: Norm Fieldgate. Canadian Football Hall of Fame & Museum (1979). Retrieved on 2006-09-10.
- ^ a b Corben, Len (2006-08-02). Rings of Glory. Vancouver Courier. Retrieved on 2006-09-10.
- ^ B.C. Lions Dream Team. BCLions.com. Retrieved on 2006-09-10.
