Tony Pajaczkowski

Early life and education Pajaczkowski was born on May 31, 1936, in Verdun, Quebec. He attended Catholic High School there, and was named most valuable player of the 1953 Montreal Gazette All-Star football team. He played junior football for the Verdun Shamcats of the Quebec Rugby Football Union (QRFU) in 1954 along with former Catholic High teammate Bob Geary.

Professional career In December 1954, Pajaczkowski and Geary were signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU). In 1956, his position was changed to guard by coach Jack Hennemier. Although initially reluctant to change, it was at this position that he became one of the all-time greats of Canadian football. In addition to playing at guard, he was also used by Calgary as a kicking specialist. On special teams, he made eight kickoffs for 391 yards, a 48.9 average. The Vancouver Sun reported in July that Pajaczkowski was "not far behind" teammate Harry Langford as the league's most outstanding guard. He appeared in every game in 1958, helping Calgary to a record of 6–9–1 and a fourth-place conference finish. After playing in 14 games in 1959, Pajaczkowski was named the team's best lineman by a fan vote. That year, the team compiled a record of 8–8.

Due to pronunciation difficulties, radio announcer Jack Wells refused to mention Pajaczkowski's name (pronounced ) in all of the Calgary game broadcasts over a period of three years.

Pajaczkowski appeared in all 16 games in 1960, helping Calgary reach the second round of the WIFU playoffs. In addition to being their starting guard, he was the team's backup kickoff specialist that year, making 27 kickoffs for 1,495 yards, a 55.4 yard average. The 1961 Stampeders compiled a record of 7–9.

The following year, Pajaczkowski was named to the CFL All-Star team for the first time in his career. He was one of six Stampeders to be given that honor. He was named an all-star for a third time in 1964 and in 1965 earned his fourth-straight all-star honor. During his four-year all-star streak, he played in all 16 games each season and Calgary had a winning record each year, with four playoff appearances and three appearances in the Western Finals.

On May 19, 1966, Pajaczkowski was traded to the Montreal Alouettes. He played in all 14 games in his first year with the team. After a knee injury in a 1967 practice, he changed his position from right guard to right tackle. He concluded his career having appeared in 198 games, recording 134 kickoffs for 7,159 yards (a 53.4 average) and nine fumble recoveries during that time. In 1988, Pajaczkowski was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, and in 1996, he was inducted into the Calgary Stampeders Wall of Fame.

Pajaczkowski had dementia in his later years.