Stephen Ferrughelli (March 12, 1949 – June 25, 2016) was an American professional football player who was a fullback in the Canadian Football League (CFL).[1]
| Born: | March 12, 1949 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died: | June 25, 2016 (aged 67) Rigaud, Quebec, Canada |
| Career information | |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | FB |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| College | Rutgers |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1973–1976 | Montreal Alouettes |
| 1976 | Edmonton Eskimos |
| CFL East All-Star | 1974 |
| Awards | 1975 - Grey Cup Most Valuable Player |
| Honours | 1974 - Grey Cup champion |
A graduate of Rutgers University, Ferrughelli had overcome difficult childhood handicaps (speech and hearing impairments) to earn his education and football scholarship.[2] Ferrughelli would have a brief stint in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins before a knee injury led to him being cut. He subsequently moved to the Canadian Football League. He joined Montreal in 1973 but made a huge impact the next season, rushing for 1124 yards, being named an all-star, and winning the Grey Cup. In 1975, he rushed for another 893 yards and was named Grey Cup Most Valuable Player in a one-point loss to the Edmonton Eskimos. Ferrughelli was caught in an import/Canadian ratio tangle in 1976, when Montreal needed a defensive back and were able to acquire a Canadian first stringer from Edmonton in exchange for him.[3] He was traded to Edmonton, where he finished his career. He had played 43 regular season games for the Als (and 5 for the Esks) and had 2763 total rushing yards.[4]
Ferughelli later worked in the home-renovation business in Montreal's West Island.[5] He subsequently moved to Rigaud, where he died on June 25, 2016.[6]
References
edit- ^ CFLAPEDIA entry: Steve Ferrughelli
- ^ "Games" of childhood prepare Ferrughelli for Fullback role by Ted Blackman, The Montreal Gazette - November 15, 1973
- ^ "Ferrughelli battled handicaps to star - CFL.ca".
- ^ Montreal Alouettes All-Time Roster
- ^ Ferrughelli battled handicaps to star
- ^ "Stephen FERRUGHELLI Obituary (2016) - Montreal, Quebec - The Gazette".