Tony "Paj"[1] Pajaczkowski (pa-jə-KOW-skee;[2] May 31, 1936 – June 4, 2022)[3] was a Canadian professional football player. He was an all-star offensive guard in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
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Date of birth | May 31, 1936 |
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Place of birth | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
Date of death | June 4, 2022 | (aged 86)
Place of death | Port Hope, Ontario, Canada |
Career information | |
CFL status | National |
Position(s) | G/DE |
Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
Weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
Career history | |
As player | |
1955–1965 | Calgary Stampeders |
1966–1967 | Montreal Alouettes |
Career highlights and awards | |
CFL All-Star | 1962–1965 |
CFL East All-Star | 1966 |
CFL West All-Star | 1960–1965 |
Awards | 1961 - CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award |
Career stats | |
Coming from the Verdun Shamcats in Montreal, Pajaczkowski played 11 seasons with the Calgary Stampeders (1955–1965) and two seasons with the Montreal Alouettes (1966–1967). He was a CFL All-Star four times (1962–1965) and won the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award in 1961 (after being runner-up in 1960). He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
Early life and education
editPajaczkowski was born on May 31, 1936, in Verdun, Quebec.[4] He attended Catholic High School there, and was named most valuable player of the 1953 Montreal Gazette All-Star football team.[5] He played junior football for the Verdun Shamcats of the Quebec Rugby Football Union (QRFU) in 1954 along with former Catholic High teammate Bob Geary.[6]
Professional career
editIn December 1954, Pajaczkowski and Geary were signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU).[6] Pajaczkowski made the roster in his first year and appeared in 12 games for the 1955 Stampeders at tackle and defensive end, mainly playing on kickoff teams.[4][7] In 1956, his position was changed to guard by coach Jack Hennemier.[8] Although initially reluctant to change, it was at this position that he became one of the all-time greats of Canadian football.[8] In his first year at guard, Pajaczkowski earned a starting role and appeared in all 16 games as the Stampeders finished 4–12.[9][10] In addition to playing at guard, he was also used by Calgary as a kicking specialist.[10]
Pajaczkowski signed a contract extension in March 1957.[10] Coach Otis Douglas called him one of Calgary's best Canadian prospects.[10] He continued as starter in 1957, playing in every game as the Stampeders finished third place in the conference with a record of 6–10.[11] On special teams, he made eight kickoffs for 391 yards, a 48.9 average.[4]
The Vancouver Sun reported in July 1958 that Pajaczkowski was "not far behind" teammate Harry Langford as the league's most outstanding guard.[12] He was re-signed that year and played in every game, helping Calgary to a record of 6–9–1 and a fourth-place conference finish.[13][14] After playing in 14 games in 1959, Pajaczkowski was named the team's best lineman by a fan vote.[15]
Due to pronunciation difficulties, announcer Jack Wells refused to mention Pajaczkowski's name (pronounced pa-jə-KOW-skee) in all of the Calgary game broadcasts from 1955 to 1959.[2][16]
Pajaczkowski appeared in 16 games in 1960, helping Calgary reach the second round of the WIFU playoffs.[17] In addition to being their starting guard, he was the team's backup kickoff specialist that year, making 27 kickoffs for 1495 yards, a 55.4 yard average.[17] He was the Stampeders' nominee for the Schenley Most Outstanding Canadian Award and was the runner-up for the honor.[8]
In 1961, Pajaczkowski made 51 kickoffs for 2845 yards, an average of 55.8 yards per kick, and started all 16 games at guard, being named to the Western Football Conference All-Star team and earning the Most Outstanding Canadian Award.[18][19]
The following year, Pajaczkowski was named for the first time of his career to the CFL All-Star team.[20] He was one of six Stampeders to be given that honor.[20] In 1963, he was named all-star for the second consecutive season.[21][22] He was named all-star for a third time in 1964 and in 1965 earned his fourth-straight all-star honor.[23][24]
On May 19, 1966, Pajaczkowski was traded to the Montreal Alouettes.[25] He played in all 14 games in his first year with the team.[26] After a knee injury in a 1967 practice, he changed his position from right guard to right tackle.[7] In a game against his former team, Calgary, Pajaczkowski was benched for the first time in his career.[7] He announced his retirement in June 1968.[27]
Later life and death
editAfter retiring, Pajaczkowski accepted a position as line coach at Loyola College in Montreal.[28]
In 1988, Pajaczkowski was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.[29]
Pajaczkowski lived in Port Hope, Ontario, where he died on June 4, 2022, four days after his 86th birthday.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Tony Pajaczkowski - Guard". Calgary Herald. July 11, 1963. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Sullivan, Jack (December 26, 1959). "Tough Season Ahead For Sportscasters". The Expositor. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Hickey, Pat (June 5, 2022). "CFL great Tony Pajaczkowski dies at 86". Montreal Gazette.
- ^ a b c "Tony Pajaczkowski Stats". Pro Football Archives.
- ^ "'Big Tony,' Geary In Feature Bout At Catholic High". Montreal Gazette. May 13, 1954. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Calgary Signs Verdun Gridders". The Montreal Star. BUP. December 27, 1954. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Scott, Bob (September 26, 1967). "Tony Pajaczkowski: From All-Star To The Bench". Montreal Gazette. p. 32 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Tony Pajaczkowski". Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
- ^ "1956 Calgary Stampeders (WIFU)". Pro Football Archives.
- ^ a b c d "Pajaczkowski: Signed by Stamps". The Calgary Albertan. March 9, 1957. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1957 Calgary Stampeders (WIFU)". Pro Football Archives.
- ^ Richards, Jack (July 25, 1958). "Stamps a Yardstick To Test Leo Trades". The Vancouver Sun. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Stamps Ink Pair". The Montreal Star. The Canadian Press. May 31, 1958. p. 53 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1958 Calgary Stampeders (WIFU)". Pro Football Archives.
- ^ "Pajaczkowski Named". Montreal Gazette. The Canadian Press. October 28, 1959. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Untitled". The Calgary Albertan. December 23, 1959. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "1960 Calgary Stampeders (WIFU)". Pro Football Archives.
- ^ "Past Year Recalls Many Sports Highlights". Calgary Herald. December 29, 1961. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1961 Calgary Stampeders (CFL)". Pro Football Archives.
- ^ a b "West Coast Dominates Grid All-Stars". Calgary Herald. The Canadian Press. November 27, 1962. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1963 All Canada 12". The Vancouver Sun. November 16, 1963. p. 80 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lions Dominate Selects". The Leader-Post. The Canadian Press. December 4, 1963. p. 39 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Losers Claim Nine Berths On All-Stars". Times Colonist. The Canadian Press. December 1, 1964. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Tony Pajaczkowski And John Barrow All-Star Repeaters". The Sun Times. The Canadian Press. December 1, 1965. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Walker, Hal (May 19, 1966). "Paj Returns To East After 11 Years". Calgary Herald. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1966 Montreal Alouettes (CFL)". Pro Football Archives.
- ^ "Troubles set in early for Larks". The Montreal Star. June 25, 1968. p. 40 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Football roundup". Star-Phoenix. The Canadian Press. July 11, 1968. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Four in football shrine". The Ottawa Citizen. The Canadian Press. May 17, 1988. p. 63 – via Newspapers.com.