CFL Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Ibrahim Khan Named Recipient Of Ed Kotowich Award

Published on October 28, 2008 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers News Release


WINNIPEG, MB - Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive lineman Ibrahim Khan, who battled back from health ailments to return to the football club's roster, has been named the 2008 winner of the Ed Kotowich Good Guy Award. The annual award recognizes a Blue Bomber player for their excellence in combining football ability, team camaraderie and extraordinary effort in the community and honours former Blue Bomber offensive lineman Ed Kotowich.

Khan, 28, is a five-year CFL veteran in his third season with the Blue Bombers. He has been a fixture in community appearances and off-field efforts for various charitable organizations across the city, province and country. Khan became a spokesperson for the Canadian Red Cross, was the honourary chair for a gala event for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada and has contributed to the Never Alone Foundation. Khan has aided in fundraising efforts for different organizations and is known to volunteer his time with minor football players and teams throughout Manitoba.

The Simon Fraser University graduate has also launched an initiative of his own called 'Khan's Kids', which gets unveiled Saturday, Nov. 1 in conjunction with the Blue Bombers' regular season home finale against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Khan has organized an event - with the support of local Muslim businesses and sponsors - to bring over 100 underprivileged youth, who otherwise would not have a chance, to attend a professional football game. The group (between 8 and 18 years of age) will meet at the Winnipeg Central Mosque on Saturday morning for a pre-game event, then bus to the game, watch the contest live, meet some players afterwards and be bused back.

"This is something that is very important to me," said Khan. "The children are our future leaders and many do not get a chance to experience a pro football game live. As athletes, we have the opportunity to be positive role models and I hope they have an enjoyable time together. It is an honour to win the Ed Kotowich Good Guy Award and it is a privilege to start annual programs such as Khan's Kids."

Ed Kotowich was a member of the Blue Bombers for seven seasons between 1955 and 1961. He played in three Grey Cups during that time (1958, '59 and '61) and earned individual recognition as a Western All-Star and as a recipient of the Tommy Lumsden Award as the Bombers' outstanding Canadian player.

After retiring as a player, Kotowich worked with the Winnipeg Rods as an offensive line coach and later with minor football programs at Winakwa and Windsor Park Community clubs. He also served as an alderman for the City of St. Boniface between 1968 and 1977 and worked on a number of community boards including the St. Boniface Parks Board, the St. Boniface Museum and the Knights of Columbus. He was also an ardent supporter of the Festival du Voyageaur and the Boni-Vital pool complex.

A complete list of former Ed Kotowich Award winners is included below.

YEAR PLAYER

1987 Vernon Pahl 1988 Trevor Kennerd

1989 Perry Tuttle

1990 Rod Hill

1991 Matt Pearce

1992 Darryl Sampson

1993 Matt Dunigan

1994 Matt Pearce

1995 Miles Gorrell

1996 Wade Miller

1997 Wade Miller

1998 Glen Scrivener

1999 Dave Vankoughnett

2000 Troy Westwood

2001 Brett MacNeil

2002 Dave Mudge

2003 Moe Elewonibi 2004 Matt Sheridan

2005 Milt Stegall

2006 Chris Cvetkovic

2007 Milt Stegall

2008 Ibrahim Khan

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Canadian Football League Stories from October 28, 2008


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