Tuesday 16 March 2010

The Greatest Tiger-Cats of My Lifetime: #9

#9: Mike Morreale
How can a Ti-Cat fan not love Mike Morreale? Born and raised in Hamilton, Morreale played high school football at Cardinal Newman in downtown Hamilton, played university football at Hamilton's only university, McMaster, and starred at WR for the Tiger-Cats for almost a decade. Hell, he was even part of Hamilton's "First Couple" when he married Canadian Olympian, and Hamilton native, Joanne Malar. Yes, he did spend some time playing for that other team down the QEW, but Morreale was a Hamilton boy who bled Black & Gold.

His accomplishments are many. He was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian in 1998 and the Most Valuable Canadian in the 87th Grey Cup in 1999, which was the last time that the Tiger-Cats hoisted the Cup. Morreale had 3 catches for 51 yards in helping the Tabbies beat the Calgary Stampeders 32-21 at BC Place in Vancouver for the team's 15th championship. Morreale also won the Tim Pate Memorial Award in 2000, which recognizes outstanding play on the field and outstanding service in the community.

Mike Morreale was never a truly dominant player, but he exemplified the heart and grit that define many of the great Tiger-Cats and that, along with his accomplishments, merit him a spot on this list at #9.

PREVIOUS: Paul Osbaldiston (#10)

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