Tom Pate Memorial Award, selected annually by the Canadian Football League Players' Association, is awarded to a player with outstanding sportsmanship and someone who has made a significant contribution to his team, his community and Association.
The award winner must display these qualities such that it distinguishes him from his peers.
[1] The award is named in the memory of deceased CFL player Tom Pate.
A 23-year-old rookie with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, on October 11, 1975, he was critically injured in a game against the Calgary Stampeders.
He never regained consciousness and died three days later.