Mike Wadsworth
Encyclopedia
Mike Wadsworth was an all-star Canadian Football League
defensive lineman.
Wadsworth, a native of Ottawa, Ontario, played high school football at De La Salle High School in Toronto
before attending the University of Notre Dame
. Upon graduation he joined the Toronto Argonauts
for a five year career, winning the Gruen Trophy
as the best rookie in the East in 1966 and named an All-Star in 1968. He also served as president of the CFL players' union.
After his football days, Wadsworth became a lawyer, QC; was a football analyst on the CFL on CTV
broadcasts; was appointed Canadian Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland
in 1989; and became athletic director at the University of Notre Dame
in 1995.
His father, Bunny Wadsworth
, starred for the Ottawa Rough Riders
in 1940 and was voted to their half-century team in 1960.
Mike Wadsworth died of bladder cancer, aged 60, and was survived by his wife, Bernadette, and three daughters.
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....
defensive lineman.
Wadsworth, a native of Ottawa, Ontario, played high school football at De La Salle High School in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
before attending the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
. Upon graduation he joined the Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
for a five year career, winning the 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...
as the best rookie in the East in 1966 and named an All-Star in 1968. He also served as president of the CFL players' union.
After his football days, Wadsworth became a lawyer, QC; was a football analyst on the CFL on CTV
CFL on CTV
CFL on CTV was a presentation of Canadian Football League football aired on the CTV Television Network from 1962 to 1986. CTV dropped coverage of the CFL after the 1986 season...
broadcasts; was appointed Canadian Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
in 1989; and became athletic director at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
in 1995.
His father, Bunny Wadsworth
Bernard Wadsworth
Bernard "Bunny" Wadsworth was a all-star and Grey Cup champion Canadian football lineman.Playing in the early days of the Ottawa Rough Riders, before the Canadian Football League was formed, Wadsworth's career spanned 8 seasons, and included 3 all-star selections and the 1940 Grey Cup championship...
, starred for 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 1940 and was voted to their half-century team in 1960.
Mike Wadsworth died of bladder cancer, aged 60, and was survived by his wife, Bernadette, and three daughters.