The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are pleased to announce Pat Neufeld and Willie Jefferson as the latest recipients of the team’s annual community service awards – the Ed Kotowich ‘Good Guy Award’ and the Cal Murphy ‘Heart of a Legend Award.’
Neufeld has been saluted as the 2023 Kotowich award winner, recognizing the Blue Bombers player who has ‘excellent football ability, is a leader in the locker room and shows outstanding effort in the community.’
The award was first presented in 1987 and is named after Ed Kotowich, who played for the Blue Bombers from 1955-61 and later served as an alderman, worked as a sportscaster, and coached the Winnipeg Rods while working with minor football programs in the city before his sudden death in 1986.
Now a year-round resident with his wife and daughter, Neufeld has made numerous public and charitable appearances on behalf of the football club. A three-time Canadian Football League All-Star, Neufeld has been with the team since 2013 and is a two-time Grey Cup champion. He has been recognized previously for his work in the community, as the 2021 recipient of the Cal Murphy ‘Heart of a Legend Award.’
Jefferson was previously saluted as the Kotowich award winner for his work in 2022 and is now recognized as the 2023 recipient of the Murphy award, presented to the player who has shown ‘outstanding sportsmanship and dedication to the Canadian Football League and the community.’
Willie and his wife Holly, along with his two daughters, have lived in Winnipeg year-round for the past few years and both are involved with the football club and in the community. Jefferson, like Neufeld, has made countless appearances on behalf of the team. Jefferson is a five-time CFL All-Star and was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2019.
This award was first presented in 2001 and is named after long-time Blue Bombers head coach and GM Cal Murphy, a Winnipegger who worked with the club from 1983-86 and built Grey Cup champions in 1984, 1988 and 1990 and passed away in 2012.