The Edmonton Elks have paid tribute to their late locker room assistant, Joey Moss, with the creation of a new award.
According to Edmonton’s team website, the Joey Moss Award is given to a player at the end of training camp “who’s persevered through adversity and embodies Joey’s positivity in everything he does.”
The winner of this year’s belt is Jonathan Rose, who was an East Division all-star with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2016 and 2018 before undergoing spinal surgery. He was cleared to play in June 2020 and signed with the Elks in January 2021.
“It’s a huge honour and what I’ve learned about Joey Moss is that he was resilient,” Rose told GoElks.com. “He was always a guy that had energy, whether it was an up or a down day and that’s what I pride myself on.”
“I got through it with positivity. I didn’t know what the outcome was going to be for me, but at the end of the day I know a good heart and good energy will take you a long way,” said Rose.
Moss passed away in October 2020 at the age of 57.
He became a household name with the Edmonton Oilers and the Edmonton Elks working as a locker room attendant for both organizations starting in the 1980s. Players and fans looked up to Moss for his passion, positive attitude, and incredible work ethic.
He taught many people about acceptance and inclusivity through his work and community involvement with both organizations.
Born with down syndrome, Mass was an incredible role model to all Edmontonians. He helped start the Winnifred Stewart Association’s Empties to Winn fundraiser, which
supports programs and initiatives for people with disabilities in the Edmonton region.
Funds from his Home Trust, which started in 1988 with support from Edmontonians
and local organizations, were used to help open Joey’s Home in 2007, an assisted living
residence for people with developmental disabilities.
