jerrym
07-10-2021, 03:43 AM
Former Alouette and Eskimo Michael Soles has passed away at the all-too-young age of 54 of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), which seems to take quite a few former football players. He was one of the better Canadian RBs, gaining more than 3,000 yards rushing and 3,500 yards receiving.
After playing college football at McGill, Michael Soles was a first round pick (third overall) in the 1989 CFL college draft by the Edmonton Eskimos. It was a good time to be a Canadian running back in the CFL as it was in one of those cylcles whfere teams were willing to actually let a non-import carry the ball. After playing in just three games in his rookie season, Soles began to see regular duty in 1990. Soles remained with Edmonton through the 1995 season, with his best season on the ground coming in 1992 when he had 115 carries for 656 yards. soleswas also a frequent target catching the ball out of the backfield and had a career high 54 catches for 63 yards in 1994. Soles averaged over ten yards a catch in seven of his eleven seasons, which is exceptional for a running back. Interestingly enough, while Soles had his best season rushing and receiving in 1992 and 1994, he got his first All-Star recognition in 1995, his final season with Edmonton. Soles ran for 352 yards that season and had 48 catches for another 398 yards to win a place on the North* All-Star team.
In 1996, Soles was traded to the Montreal Alouettes for future considerations as the team had to restock its Canadian talent after relocating from Baltimore. In his first season with the Als, Soles won his second division All-Star selection, rushing for 340 yards and catching 42 passes for another 506 yards. For those numbers, Soles was named the Outstanding Canadian in the East and runner-up in the CFL. Another important contribution made by Soles to his t eam was his blocking ability as he opened many holes for Mike Pringle. Soles wold go on to play three more seasons in Montreal (1997-99) and reture prior to the start of the 2000 season. Soles' career totals include 45 touchdowns, 3007 yards rushing and 325 catches for 3501 yards.
Since his retirement from football, Soles has been diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrohic Lateral Schlerosis), often called Lou Gehrig's disease.
https://www.cflapedia.com/Players/s/soles_michael.htm
Born in Pointe-Claire, Que., in 1966, Soles was a West Islander through and through. “He went to St. Thomas High School, went to John Abbot College and went to McGill,” said Soles’ brother Derek. While at McGill, Soles led the team to a Vanier Cup national championship in 1987 and was the first Canadian university player selected in the 1989 CFL draft, going fifth overall to Edmonton.
“Soles was the face of the Alouettes when the team made a return in the league. He was a true leader on the team and in the community,” said Alouettes President Mario Cecchini. He was elected a CFL all-star his first year on the squad and won the Lew Hayman Trophy as the most outstanding Canadian player in the East Division. ...
“He gave everything he possibly could to a team, whatever team he was on. He was going to give you everything he got. And he tried to instill that on other players,” said Derek. Soles is being remembered not only for his winning attitude but for his courage on and off the field. “He fought until the end and despite being sick, he never gave up and was always smiling. He had a great influence on my career and was more than a friend for me,” said Manioca. ...
Diagnosed with ALS in 2005, Soles devoted the time he could to creating awareness and raising funds to find a cure for the illness.
https://globalnews.ca/news/8013163/montreal-alouettes-michael-soles-death/
After playing college football at McGill, Michael Soles was a first round pick (third overall) in the 1989 CFL college draft by the Edmonton Eskimos. It was a good time to be a Canadian running back in the CFL as it was in one of those cylcles whfere teams were willing to actually let a non-import carry the ball. After playing in just three games in his rookie season, Soles began to see regular duty in 1990. Soles remained with Edmonton through the 1995 season, with his best season on the ground coming in 1992 when he had 115 carries for 656 yards. soleswas also a frequent target catching the ball out of the backfield and had a career high 54 catches for 63 yards in 1994. Soles averaged over ten yards a catch in seven of his eleven seasons, which is exceptional for a running back. Interestingly enough, while Soles had his best season rushing and receiving in 1992 and 1994, he got his first All-Star recognition in 1995, his final season with Edmonton. Soles ran for 352 yards that season and had 48 catches for another 398 yards to win a place on the North* All-Star team.
In 1996, Soles was traded to the Montreal Alouettes for future considerations as the team had to restock its Canadian talent after relocating from Baltimore. In his first season with the Als, Soles won his second division All-Star selection, rushing for 340 yards and catching 42 passes for another 506 yards. For those numbers, Soles was named the Outstanding Canadian in the East and runner-up in the CFL. Another important contribution made by Soles to his t eam was his blocking ability as he opened many holes for Mike Pringle. Soles wold go on to play three more seasons in Montreal (1997-99) and reture prior to the start of the 2000 season. Soles' career totals include 45 touchdowns, 3007 yards rushing and 325 catches for 3501 yards.
Since his retirement from football, Soles has been diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrohic Lateral Schlerosis), often called Lou Gehrig's disease.
https://www.cflapedia.com/Players/s/soles_michael.htm
Born in Pointe-Claire, Que., in 1966, Soles was a West Islander through and through. “He went to St. Thomas High School, went to John Abbot College and went to McGill,” said Soles’ brother Derek. While at McGill, Soles led the team to a Vanier Cup national championship in 1987 and was the first Canadian university player selected in the 1989 CFL draft, going fifth overall to Edmonton.
“Soles was the face of the Alouettes when the team made a return in the league. He was a true leader on the team and in the community,” said Alouettes President Mario Cecchini. He was elected a CFL all-star his first year on the squad and won the Lew Hayman Trophy as the most outstanding Canadian player in the East Division. ...
“He gave everything he possibly could to a team, whatever team he was on. He was going to give you everything he got. And he tried to instill that on other players,” said Derek. Soles is being remembered not only for his winning attitude but for his courage on and off the field. “He fought until the end and despite being sick, he never gave up and was always smiling. He had a great influence on my career and was more than a friend for me,” said Manioca. ...
Diagnosed with ALS in 2005, Soles devoted the time he could to creating awareness and raising funds to find a cure for the illness.
https://globalnews.ca/news/8013163/montreal-alouettes-michael-soles-death/