Jake Gaudaur, the award's namesake, served as CFL Commissioner from 1968 until 1984, after playing for the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes.
[2] As with other CFL awards, the Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy is presented during Grey Cup week.
For the inaugural award, current Minister of Veterans Affairs Jean-Pierre Blackburn was on hand to present the trophy to McCullough.
"[4] The judges involved in selecting the winner for the Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy in 2010 included CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon, broadcaster Glen Suitor, CFL Players Association president Stu Laird, Dominion Treasurer of the Royal Canadian Legion Michael Cook and Assistant Deputy Minister for Service Delivery and Commemoration, Veterans Affairs Canada Keith Hillier.
[5] The judges selected McCullough based on his perseverance, comradeship, community service, strength and courage.