Sonny Wade
Encyclopedia
Sonny Wade born April 1, 1947 in Martinsville, Virginia
, a graduate of (and All-American at) the "powerhouse" football program at Emory and Henry College
in Virginia, and played for the Montreal Alouettes
of the Canadian Football League
from 1969 to 1978.
where in 1994, he was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
.
In 1967, Wade led the nation in scoring with 141 points. He set numerous Emory & Henry offensive records. In 1968, Wade quarterbacked Emory & Henry to a national record of 553.3 yards per game, was 2nd in the nation in total offense and passing and was voted 1st team Associated Press Little All-American Quarterback.
, but joined the Alouettes in 1969 after they had suffered 9 straight losing seasons. Coached by former Alouettes great Sam Etcheverry
and the famed Marv Levy
, Wade became one of the best clutch players in Grey Cup
history.
During his 10 years with Montreal, he completed 1083 of his 2087 passes, for 51.9%, and 15,014 yards. He threw for 89 touchdowns, but his greatest weakness was the interception, and he was picked off 169 times. This includes 30 picks in his rookie season of 1969 and 31 in the Grey Cup
championship year of 1970. He also had a record 7 interceptions against the Calgary Stampeders
on September 24, 1972.
In addition, he still hold the Als record for most punts, with 852.
He is a three time winner of the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player
award, tied with Doug Flutie
for most ever. His first win came in 1970 in the muddy field of the 58th Grey Cup
against the Calgary Stampeders
, his second on the rain slick field of the 62nd Grey Cup
of 1974 against the Edmonton Eskimos
. Lastly, during the 65th Grey Cup
of 1977, while quarterbacking on ice, he completed 22 of 40 passes for 340 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception in a crushing 41-6 win over the Edmonton Eskimos
. Wade excelled most exceptionally well under difficult weather conditions, playing better in the playoffs than the regular season, but was also favored by some solid offensive lines for many years, notably from 1970 to 1974 with Canadian Football Hall of Fame
member Ed George
at left offensive tackle or guard, together with an outstanding tight end in Peter Dalla Riva
throughout his career, from 1969 to 1978.
Martinsville, Virginia
Martinsville is an independent city which is surrounded by Henry County, Virginia, United States. The population was 13,821 in 2010. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Martinsville with Henry County for statistical purposes...
, a graduate of (and All-American at) the "powerhouse" football program at Emory and Henry College
Emory and Henry College
Emory & Henry College, known as E&H, Emory, or the College, is a private liberal arts college located in Emory, Virginia, United States. The campus comprises of Washington County, Virginia, which is part of the mountain region of Southwest Virginia...
in Virginia, and played for the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
of the 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....
from 1969 to 1978.
High school
Wade attended Martinsville High SchoolMartinsville High School (Martinsville, Virginia)
Martinsville High School is a public secondary school located in Martinsville, Virginia, and is the only high school in the Martinsville public school system. As of 2007, its Boys Basketball Team has won 13 State Championships. It offers such programs as the International Baccalaureate,...
where in 1994, he was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is a sports hall of fame located in Portsmouth, Virginia. Founded in 1972, it moved to its current location in 2005...
.
College
After graduation he went on to Emory & Henry College where he participated in football, basketball and baseball. Wade was voted Virginia’s College Football Player of the Year in 1966, 67, and 68.In 1967, Wade led the nation in scoring with 141 points. He set numerous Emory & Henry offensive records. In 1968, Wade quarterbacked Emory & Henry to a national record of 553.3 yards per game, was 2nd in the nation in total offense and passing and was voted 1st team Associated Press Little All-American Quarterback.
CFL
Wade was drafted by the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, but joined the Alouettes in 1969 after they had suffered 9 straight losing seasons. Coached by former Alouettes great Sam Etcheverry
Sam Etcheverry
Sam "The Rifle" Etcheverry was a professional American and Canadian football player and head coach. Etcheverry played the quarterback position, most famously with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, and was named Canadian football's Most Outstanding Player in 1954...
and the famed Marv Levy
Marv Levy
Marvin Daniel Levy is a former American and Canadian football coach, front office executive and author.He is a former professional football coach, in the CFL as head coach of the Montreal Alouettes , and in the NFL as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills , coaching the Bills...
, Wade became one of the best clutch players in 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...
history.
During his 10 years with Montreal, he completed 1083 of his 2087 passes, for 51.9%, and 15,014 yards. He threw for 89 touchdowns, but his greatest weakness was the interception, and he was picked off 169 times. This includes 30 picks in his rookie season of 1969 and 31 in the 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 year of 1970. He also had a record 7 interceptions against the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
on September 24, 1972.
In addition, he still hold the Als record for most punts, with 852.
He is a three time winner of the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player
Grey Cup Most Valuable Player
The Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player award is awarded annually to the player deemed to have the best performance in the Grey Cup Game, the Canadian Football League's championship game.-Grey Cup Most Valuable Player Award winners:...
award, tied with Doug Flutie
Doug Flutie
Douglas Richard "Doug" Flutie is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League...
for most ever. His first win came in 1970 in the muddy field of the 58th Grey Cup
58th Grey Cup
The 58th Grey Cup was played on November 28, 1970 before 32,669 fans at Exhibition Stadium at Toronto. The Montreal Alouettes defeated the Calgary Stampeders 23 to 10...
against the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
, his second on the rain slick field of the 62nd Grey Cup
62nd Grey Cup
The 62nd Grey Cup was played on November 24, 1974 before 32,454 fans at Empire Stadium at Vancouver. The Montreal Alouettes beat the Edmonton Eskimos 20 to 7 on rain slick field...
of 1974 against the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
. Lastly, during the 65th Grey Cup
65th Grey Cup
The 65th Grey Cup, played on November 27, 1977 and also known as The Ice Bowl, was the 1977 Grey Cup Canadian Football League championship final between the Montreal Alouettes and the Edmonton Eskimos...
of 1977, while quarterbacking on ice, he completed 22 of 40 passes for 340 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception in a crushing 41-6 win over the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
. Wade excelled most exceptionally well under difficult weather conditions, playing better in the playoffs than the regular season, but was also favored by some solid offensive lines for many years, notably from 1970 to 1974 with Canadian Football Hall of Fame
Canadian Football Hall of Fame
The Canadian Football Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit corporation, located in Hamilton, Ontario, that celebrates great achievements in Canadian football. It is an open to the public institution. It includes displays about the Canadian Football League, Canadian university football and Canadian...
member Ed George
Ed George
Edward Gary George is a former offensive lineman and star player in the Canadian Football League.-CFL:...
at left offensive tackle or guard, together with an outstanding tight end in Peter Dalla Riva
Peter Dalla Riva
Peter Dalla Riva, , is a former professional Canadian football player with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League at the tight end and wide receiver positions. Dalla Riva played with the Alouettes for his entire 14 year career...
throughout his career, from 1969 to 1978.
External links
- http://en.montrealalouettes.com/index.php?module=page&id=6014
- http://www.thats-a-wrap.net/alouettes/sonny_wade.php