| No. 71 | |
|---|---|
| Positions | Slotback •Wide receiver |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1957-08-02)August 2, 1957 (age 68) Edmonton,Alberta, Canada |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| University | Alberta |
| CFL draft | 1978: Terr. Exemptionth round |
| Career history | |
| 1978 | Edmonton Eskimos* |
| 1978–1986 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Awards and highlights | |
Canadian Football Hall of Fame (Class of 1998) | |
Joe Poplawski (born August 2, 1957) is a Canadian former professionalfootball receiver who played for theWinnipeg Blue Bombers in theCanadian Football League (CFL) from 1978 to 1986.
Poplawski was originally a territorial exemption his hometown team theEdmonton Eskimos and prior to the beginning of the 1978 season he was traded to the Bombers in exchange for their star receiverTom Scott. With 75 receptions for 998 yards and 8 touchdowns, Poplawski won theCFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award in 1978.[1] That season he was also selected to the Western Conference and CFL all-star team as a wide receiver. Despite a short career Poplawski achieved many more accolades including twice winning theMost 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 the72nd Grey Cup in 1984 with five catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. At the age of 29, he ended career with 8,341 receiving yards on 549 receptions and with 48 touchdowns. In his final season, he temporarily filled in as the team's kicker, following an injury toTrevor Kennerd. Poplawski made 8 out of 10 field goals, totalling 233 yards, with his longest coming from 45 yards out.[2]
| Receiving | Regular season | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | Games | Rec | Yards | Avg | Long | TD | |
| 1978 | WPG | 16 | 75 | 998 | 13.3 | 44 | 8 | |
| 1979 | WPG | 2 | 3 | 35 | 11.7 | 17 | 0 | |
| 1980 | WPG | 14 | 56 | 897 | 16.0 | 68 | 5 | |
| 1981 | WPG | 16 | 84 | 1,271 | 15.1 | 55 | 8 | |
| 1982 | WPG | 16 | 57 | 825 | 14.5 | 47 | 2 | |
| 1983 | WPG | 15 | 58 | 971 | 15.7 | 41 | 8 | |
| 1984 | WPG | 16 | 67 | 998 | 14.9 | 62 | 3 | |
| 1985 | WPG | 16 | 75 | 1,271 | 16.9 | 47 | 6 | |
| 1986 | WPG | 18 | 74 | 1,075 | 14.5 | 65 | 8 | |
| CFL totals | 129 | 549 | 8,341 | 15.2 | 68 | 48 | ||
After leaving football Poplawski pursued a career as a professional soccer player. Currently he heads up the Cavalier Drive branch of Ranger Insurance in Winnipeg, acquired in July 2014 by Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited.[3] Poplawski also worked as an analyst for CJOB radio alongside play by play manBob Irving.
In 2005, Poplawski was named one of the Blue Bombers 20 All-Time Greats and was elected into theCanadian Football Hall of Fame in 1998. Inducted into theManitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 2004.[4]