Martin Bédard nominated for the distinguished Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award

Ahead of the 106th Grey Cup Playoffs, the Canadian Football League (CFL) has unveiled the nine players nominated for the distinguished Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award. The honour has been awarded every year since 2010 to a Canadian CFL player who best demonstrates the attributes of Canada’s veterans: strength, perseverance, courage, comradeship and contribution to Canadian communities. The award recognizes Jake Gaudaur for embodying these attributes both as the CFL’s longest-standing Commissioner and as a distinguished veteran of the Second World War. The nominees are chosen by their respective clubs; the recipient is chosen by a committee and honoured during the Shaw CFL Awards at Grey Cup Weekend. This year’s awards gathering will take place at the Winspear Centre, hosted by TSN’s James Duthie and Natasha Staniszewski on November 22nd in Edmonton.

MARTIN BÉDARD, MONTREAL ALOUETTES

Martin has suffered tremendous loss: his mother to cancer before his first college year, and his father in early 2012. His brother also received a cancer diagnosis, and Martin himself experienced season-ending injuries in 2013 and 2016, fighting back to regain his spot on the team both times. His teammates consider his dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm an example to follow. Having pushed himself to finish his own schooling while mourning, he’s an ambassador for the Alouettes’ Together At School program, encouraging Quebec youth to stay in school; he’s also a regular at the Manoir Marc Perron, where he helps the elderly and handicapped residents.