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]

Steve Ferrughelli
Born:(1949-03-12)March 12, 1949
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Died:June 25, 2016(2016-06-25) (aged 67)
Rigaud, Quebec, Canada
Career information
CFL statusAmerican
Position(s)FB
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight235 lb (107 kg)
CollegeRutgers
Career history
As player
19731976Montreal Alouettes
1976Edmonton Eskimos
CFL East All-Star1974
Awards1975 - Grey Cup Most Valuable Player
Honours1974 - 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
  1. ^ CFLAPEDIA entry: Steve Ferrughelli
  2. ^ "Games" of childhood prepare Ferrughelli for Fullback role by Ted Blackman, The Montreal Gazette - November 15, 1973
  3. ^ "Ferrughelli battled handicaps to star - CFL.ca".
  4. ^ Montreal Alouettes All-Time Roster
  5. ^ Ferrughelli battled handicaps to star
  6. ^ "Stephen FERRUGHELLI Obituary (2016) - Montreal, Quebec - The Gazette".