 | |
| Profile | |
|---|---|
| Position | Halfback |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1900-10-27)October 27, 1900 Ouray, Colorado, U.S. |
| Died | May 3, 1926(1926-05-03) (aged 25) Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Career information | |
| College | RMC /McGill |
| Career history | |
| 1917–1920 | RMC Redmen |
| 1920–1922 | McGill University |
| 1922–1925 | Montreal AAA Winged Wheelers |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
Canadian Football Hall of Fame (Class of 1963) | |
Jeffrey Cameron Russel (October 27, 1900 – May 3, 1926) was aCanadian football player remembered as a star with theMontreal AAA Winged Wheelers and his early accidental death.
Russel was born October 27, 1900, inOuray, Colorado, where his fatherHugh Yelverton "Bert" Russel, a graduate ofMcGill University inmining engineering and a former amateur hockey and football player,[1] was managing a mine. The family returned toMontreal in 1909 where Jeff was attendedSelwyn House School andLower Canada College and participated in athletics. In 1917, he enrolled at theRoyal Military College inKingston, Ontario and became ahalfback for theRMC Redmen until graduating in 1920 with theGovernor General's Academic Medal. He played forMcGill University in Montreal from 1920 to 1922.[2][3]
Russel entered McGill to continue his studies inelectrical engineering and wascommissioned as alieutenant in themilitia. While at McGill he played for the football team coached byFrank "Shag" Shaughnessy. He graduated in 1922 and began working for the Montreal Light, Heat and Power Company. He also joined theMontreal Amateur Athletic Association’s football team, the Winged Wheelers, of theInterprovincial Rugby Football Union and emerged as a star halfback, known for his speed and elusiveness. By 1925, he was the undisputed leader of the team and named captain.[2][3]
On the night of May 3, 1926, Montreal was struck by a violent thunderstorm and Russel was responsible for a crew from Montreal Light, Heat and Power repairing a downed power line when he was accidentally electrocuted.[3]
TheJeff Russel Memorial Trophy is presented annually, in his honour to themost outstanding player of theQuebec University Football League.[4] At its origin in 1928, the trophy was awarded to theInterprovincial Rugby Football Union player possessing courage, fair play and sportsmanship but by 1973, it recognised the most outstanding player in theCanadian Football League East Division. In 1994, the trophy was retired at the request of the Russel family. In 2003, it was re-established for recognising players in the Quebec conference ofCIS football.[5]
On June 19, 1963, Russel was elected as a player to theCanadian Football Hall of Fame[2] and in 1975, inducted intoCanada's Sports Hall of Fame as an athlete.[3]
AtLower Canada College the Russel house is named after him.