Bernie Brennan
Encyclopedia
Bernie Brennan is a former award winning and Grey Cup
champion Canadian Football League
player.
Coming straight out of St. Patrick’s High School and at the age of 19, Brennan joined the Ottawa Rough Riders
in 1946 and won the very first Gruen Trophy
for best rookie in the eastern Big Four. After one more season with the Riders he returned to school, studying veterinary medicine at Ontario Veterinarian College
. He was a star with their football team, enshrined in the Guelph Gryphons Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. He then returned to the Rough Riders in 1951, helping them win a Grey Cup
championship.
Brennan was also a skilled hockey player, playing for the 1947-48 Kemptville Royals, a championship senior men's hockey team in the St. Lawrence League and the Ottawa District Hockey Association, and the Brockville Magedomas in 1951.
After his playing days he became director of Rideau Carleton Raceway
, where he was appointed track veterinarian. Dr. Brennan is a member of the Ontario Racing Commission. He has been elected into the North Grenville Sports Hall of Fame.
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
champion Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
player.
Coming straight out of St. Patrick’s High School and at the age of 19, Brennan joined the Ottawa Rough Riders
Ottawa Rough Riders
The Ottawa Rough Riders were a Canadian Football League team based in Ottawa, Ontario, founded in 1876. One of the oldest and longest lived professional sports teams in North America, the Rough Riders won the Grey Cup championship nine times. Their most dominant era was the 1960s and 1970s, a...
in 1946 and won the very first Gruen Trophy
Gruen Trophy
The Gruen Trophy was a Canadian Football League trophy, given to the most outstanding Canadian rookie in the East Division. The award, sponsored by the Gruen Watch Co...
for best rookie in the eastern Big Four. After one more season with the Riders he returned to school, studying veterinary medicine at Ontario Veterinarian College
University of Guelph
The University of Guelph, also known as U of G, is a comprehensive public research university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1964 after the amalgamation of Ontario Agricultural College, the Macdonald Institute, and the Ontario Veterinary College...
. He was a star with their football team, enshrined in the Guelph Gryphons Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. He then returned to the Rough Riders in 1951, helping them win a Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
championship.
Brennan was also a skilled hockey player, playing for the 1947-48 Kemptville Royals, a championship senior men's hockey team in the St. Lawrence League and the Ottawa District Hockey Association, and the Brockville Magedomas in 1951.
After his playing days he became director of Rideau Carleton Raceway
Rideau Carleton Raceway
Rideau Carleton Raceway is a Canadian horse racing and gambling complex located at Ottawa, Ontario. The facility began operation in 1962 and specialises in standardbred harness racing....
, where he was appointed track veterinarian. Dr. Brennan is a member of the Ontario Racing Commission. He has been elected into the North Grenville Sports Hall of Fame.