The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have named Canadian offensive lineman Pat Neufeld the 2021 recipient of the Cal Murphy ‘Heart of a Legend Award’ winner.
It acknowledges the player who has shown ‘outstanding sportsmanship and dedication to the CFL and the community.’
Neufeld is currently one of the longest serving Blue Bombers, having joined the team in October 2013 following a trade with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, after originally being selected by that team in the 2010 CFL Draft.
The Regina, SK product has played 82 regular season games for Winnipeg from 2014-2021 and 119 in his career with 81 starts. A versatile guard and tackle, he has been an integral part of the Bombers dominant offensive line play over the last few seasons and the team’s back-to-back Grey Cup championships. Neufeld was named to both the West Division and CFL all-star teams for his work in 2021.
“It’s an honour to be selected for an award like this,” Neufeld said. “I was researching it and there have been some phenomenal Blue Bombers who have won this award from Milt Stegall to Obby Khan to Andrew Harris to Dave Mudge. It’s quite humbling to be mentioned alongside those guys.”
A proud Canadian who played his U Sports football at the University of Saskatchewan, Neufeld has played an active role in the Canadian Football League Players’ Association and is always among the busiest players in representing the Blue Bombers at a variety of community initiatives.
Cal Murphy was a Hall of Fame coach and general manager for the Bombers from 1983-1986 and helped the club capture three Grey Cup championships in 1984, 1988 and 1990. He was a two-time winner of the Annis Stukus Trophy as the CFL’s Coach of the Year (1983, 1984) and is second only to Bud Grant (102) on the club’s all-time wins list (86).
Murphy, who was instrumental in helping this city host its first Grey Cup game in 1991, was inducted in the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
Past ‘Heart of a Legend’ Award winners:2021 – Pat Neufeld2017 – Chris Randle2016 – Andrew Harris2015 – Bryant Turner, Jr.2014 – Carl Volny2013 – Kito Poblah2012 – Kito Poblah2011 – Obby Khan2010 – Lavar Glover2009 – Obby Khan2008 – Obby Khan2007 – Milt Stegall2006 – Milt Stegall2005 – Matt Sheridan2004 – Moe Elewonibi2003 – Khari Jones2002 – Moe Elewonibi2001 – Dave Mudge
