Michael Soles

Michael Soles (November 8, 1966 – July 7, 2021) was a Canadian professional football player who was a fullback in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at McGill University, where he was a two-time All-Canadian.

Early life and collegiate football career Soles was born in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, on November 8, 1966. He attended St. Thomas High School in his hometown, where he played high school football. The highlight of his university football career came in the 1987 Vanier Cup, when he led the underdog McGill team to an upset 47–11 victory over the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, who were the favourites. He rushed for 203 yards and had 2 touchdowns, and won the Ted Morris Memorial Trophy as the game MVP. the first player from a Canadian university to be chosen that year. He won the Grey Cup the following year and was a Northern Division All-Star in 1995. He was honoured as a CFL All-Star in 1996 and won the Lew Hayman Trophy that year as best Canadian player in the East.

Soles finished his 11-year career with 3,007 rushing yards, 3,501 receiving yards (on 325 catches) and 45 touchdowns.

After retiring from football, Soles worked in finance. He and his family resided in the West Island of Montreal, in Beaconsfield. but lived beyond the 2–5 year normal life expectancy for individuals diagnosed with the disease. His former Redmen teammates established the Michael Soles Football Award in 2014, collecting nearly C$229,000 for scholarships to support McGill's varsity program.

He died on July 7, 2021, at Lakeshore General Hospital in Pointe-Claire. He was 54 years old.