Mel Wilson
Mel Wilson was an all-star and record setting Grey Cup champion Canadian football player, playing from 1937 to 1951.[1]
| Born: | April 3, 1917 Winnipeg, Manitoba |
|---|---|
| Died: | July 29, 2007 (aged 90) Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Career information | |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | Centre & Defensive Tackle |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 230 lb (100 kg) |
| College | none - Kelvin High School |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1937–41 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| 1942 | Winnipeg RCAF Bombers |
| 1943 | Winnipeg United Services Combines |
| 1945–47 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| 1948 | Montreal Alouettes |
| 1949–51 | Calgary Stampeders |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| CFL All-Star | 1941, 1946, 1947, 1949 |
| Honors | Grey Cup champion - 1939, 1941 |
A Winnipeg native, Wilson played his first football with St. John's College, later playing two seasons at Kelvin High School. In 1936 he captained the St. John's Roamers, who defeated the Moose Jaw Millers 13-5 to win the Western Canada Junior football championship.[2]
In 1937 he joined his hometown Winnipeg Blue Bombers for a 5-year stretch, playing in 4 Grey Cup games, and winning two in 1939 and 1941 (in which scored a touchdown.)[3] In 1942 he joined the citywide all-star team, the Winnipeg RCAF Bombers, for the playoffs, losing another Grey Cup. He played 1943 with the Winnipeg United Services Combines and did not play in 1944.
In 1945 he rejoined the Bombers for 3 seasons, playing in 3 more Grey Cup losses. He signed with the Montreal Alouettes for 12 games in 1948. He finished his career with 3 more seasons with the Calgary Stampeders and was part of their 1949 Grey Cup losing team.
In all, Wilson played in nine Grey Cup championships, the most by any player until his record was later tied by six other players.[4] He was also an all-star in 1941, 1946 and 1947 with the Bombers and in 1949 with the Stampeders.
After he retired he was a successful amateur athlete, winning trophies in golf, curling, racquetball and competitive ballroom dancing.[5] He worked with the Manitoba Labour Board, Winnipeg Hydro, retiring, age 80, as a commissionaire at the provincial legislature.
He was inducted into the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame in 1985[6] and the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame[7] in 2004.
He died, age 90, in Winnipeg on July 29, 2007.
References
- "Mel Wilson". cflapedia.com. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- Obituary: Mel Wilson, The Globe and Mail, November 22, 2007
- While on the roster and on the bench on game day, Wilson did not get on the field during the 1937 Grey Cup; regardless, the CFL counts this as game participation for Record Book purposes.
- CFL 2012 Media Guide and Record Book
- Obituary: Mel Wilson, The Globe and Mail, November 22, 2007
- Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame Archived 2010-01-04 at the Wayback Machine
- Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame - Mel Wilson Archived 2013-10-31 at the Wayback Machine