Vince Mazza

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Vince Mazza
Date of birth:	March 25, 1925
Place of birth:	Niagara Falls, New York
Career information
Position(s):	End, Tackle
College:	None
Organizations
As player:
1945-1946 1947-1949 1950-1954	Detroit Lions Buffalo Bills (AAFC) Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL)
Stats at DatabaseFootball.com

Vince Mazza, born March 25, 1925 in Niagara Falls, New York, was a former all star Canadian Football League player. He was a two way player, playing offensive and defensive line, and sometimes tight end.

Mazza did not attend college, but went directly to the pro leagues from Trott Vocational High School. He played for the Detroit Lions of the NFL for 6 games in 1945 and 1946. He moved to the up-start AAFC in 1947, with the Buffalo Bills. He played 3 years (1947 to 1949) there, mostly as a lineman, catching 2 passes and making one interception, and returning a lateral for a touchdown. He played in their 1948 championship loss to the Cleveland Browns.

He was recruited by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL, and played 5 seasons with them (1950 to 1954.) He was an all star as an end from 1950 to 1952, was a double all star in 1953 (both offense and defense) and was an offensive line all star in 1954. He won both the Grey Cup and the Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy as best player in the East in 1953.

Vince settled in Winona, Ontario and continued in the game as the color man for CHML radio for the Tiger-Cat games. He was often seen at the Winona High School football practices helping to develop young athletes. He was an inspiration to all. Vince grew up with Ralph St. Denny (one of the original founders of the PENNYSAVER), The two were great friends, they graduated from Trott together. Ralph passed away in 1999.