Jack Wedley

Jack Wedley
Date of birth: 1917
Place of birth: England
Date of death: September 29, 2003 (aged 8586)
Career information
Position(s): Offensive End/Defensive Halfback
Height: 5 ft 10.5 in (179 cm)
Weight: 160 lb (73 kg)
High school: Northern Secondary School (Toronto)
Organizations
As player:
1936
1937-1941
1942
1943
1944
1945-1950
1951
Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers
Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Navy Bulldogs
Halifax Navy
St. Hyacinthe-Donnacona Navy
Toronto Argonauts
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star: 1941, 1945
Honors: Grey Cup champion - 1937, 38, 44, 45, 46, 47, 50

Jack Wedley (1917 - September 29, 2003) was an all-star and record setting Grey Cup champion Canadian football player, playing from 1937 to 1951.[1]

Born in England, Wedley came to Canada in his youth and played playground football with the city champion Moss Park team.[2] After high school he graduated to the ORFU's Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers.

Starting in 1937 he went on to a record setting career. His first stint with the Toronto Argonauts lasted 5 seasons and netted him two Grey Cup championships. During World War Two he played for several Navy teams; Toronto Navy Bulldogs and Halifax Navy, and in 1944 another Grey Cup with St. Hyacinthe-Donnacona Navy. He returned to the Double Blue in 1945 for six more seasons and four more Cups, having played 90 games, 14 playoff games, and six Cup matches for the Boatmen.[3] He finish his career in 1951 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders where he just missed yet another championship with their close Cup defeat.

In all, Wedley collected seven Grey Cup championships, the most by any player until his record was later tied by Bill Stevenson and Hank Ilesic.[4] He was also an all-star in 1941 and 1945 with the Argos.

Wedley would go on to coach junior football, starting with the ORFU Oshawa Raiders intermediate team in 1953.[5]

He died September 29, 2003.

References

  1. CFLAPEDIA entry: Jack Wedley
  2. Cup Hardrocks - 1951 article
  3. 2006 Toronto Argonauts Media Guide
  4. 2012 CFL Media Guide and Record Book
  5. Wedley to Coach Oshawa Raiders, Ottawa Citizen, March 25, 1953