Joe Poplawski

NFL player
Name=Joe Poplawski
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DateOfBirth=birth date and age|1957|8|2
Birthplace=flagicon|Canada Edmonton, Alberta
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Position=Slotback
College=University of Alberta
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Career Highlights=Y
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years=1978-1986
teams=Winnipeg Blue Bombers
CFLAllStar=1978, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986
CFHOF=24&player=Poplawski,%20Joe Joe Poplawski (born August 2, 1957 in Edmonton, Alberta) was a receiver for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1978-1986. Poplawski was originally a territorial exemption his hometown team the Edmonton Eskimos and prior to the beginning of the 1978 season he was traded to the Bombers in exchange for their star receiver Tom Scott. With 75 receptions for 998 yards and 8 touchdowns, Poplawski won the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award in 1978. That season he was also selected to the Western Conference and CFL all-star team as a wide receiver. Despite a short career Poplawski would later go on to achieve many more accolades including twice winning the Most Outstanding Canadian awards in 1981 and 1986. He was also the runner-up for this award in 1980, 1984 and 1985. He was selected to the All-Star team five times, first as mentioned above and four more times as a slotback in 1981, 1984, 1985, and 1986. Poplawski helped the Bombers win the 1984 Grey Cup with five catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. At the young age of 29 he ended career with 8,341 receiving yards on 549 receptions and with 48 touchdowns. Also in his final season he temporarily filled in as the team's kicker following an injury to Trevor Kennerd. Poplawski made 8 out of 10 field goals totalling 233 yards with his longest coming from 45 yards out. After leaving football Poplawski pursued a career as a professional soccer player. Currently he heads up Ranger Insurance in Winnipeg. Poplawski also worked as an analyist for CJOB radio alongside play by play man Bob Irving.

In 2005 Poplawski was named one of the Blue Bombers 20 All-Time Greats and was elected into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1998. Inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 2004.

External links

* [http://www.halloffame.mb.ca/honoured/2004/jPoplawski.htm Joe Poplawski biography] at [http://www.halloffame.mb.ca/ Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum]