We now know why they delayed the announcement of the winner of the player of the decade for the 1960s voting. There will be a ceremony during the pregame of tonight’s Hall of Fame Game in Winnipeg.
FANS NAME KEN PLOEN AS CFL MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER OF THE 1960sSeptember 26, 2009
“On behalf of our fans, I want to congratulate Kenny Ploen on an unique and special honour,? said CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon.
“Good players are respected by those who watch them play. Great players are remembered by those who saw them play. And the very best players are even revered by those who never saw them play. And this tribute establishes Kenny Pleon as one of our very best, in the eyes of more than one generation of CFL fans.?
Ploen will be honoured in front of his hometown fans during the pre-game ceremony of Saturday’s game between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts at Canad Inns Stadium.
“I want to thank all the CFL fans who voted, and especially everyone here in Manitoba, for this privilege,? Ploen said.
“It has been an honour to be mentioned in the same breath with so many great players, including a fellow quarterback, Russ Jackson, the eastern nominee. The game gave me so much, including my start in Canada, which led to so many good friends and, of course, my wonderful family. To think that it is still giving me thrills after all these years – and this really is a thrill – is really something.?
Fan balloting for the Most Outstanding Player of the 1960s has been part of this year’s CFL Retro Celebration of one of the greatest decades in our league’s history. Fans were asked to vote online at CFL.ca on each team’s top player of the decade, then the top player for the East and West Division, and finally the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player of the 1960s.
Ploen came to Winnipeg fresh from leading the University of Iowa to a victory in the granddaddy of all U.S. college football games – the Rose Bowl. From 1957-1967, he led the Blue Bombers to six Grey Cup appearances, including four victories (1958, 1959, 1961, 1962). During his career, he completed 1,084 passes for 16,470 yards and 119 touchdowns. He was named a CFL All-Star in 1965 and was a three-time West Division All-Star at quarterback (1957, 1965) and defensive back (1959).
The MOP of the 1960s stayed in Winnipeg following his football career, working as a sales representative and football commentator, and is a member of the Order of Manitoba.
He’s remembered by CFL fans as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, and one of those imports who found something bigger than stardom: a home.
Congratulations Mr. Ploen.