Earl Zukerman (friend)
Entered
July 24, 2021
from McGill University (Montreal, Que)
To the family of Michael Soles.
The McGill community mourns with you on the loss of Michael. On behalf of McGill Athletics & Communications, please accept our deepest condolences. We have posted an obituary on our website.
Sincerely
Earl
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Hall of Fame running back Michael Soles was 54
MONTREAL -- McGill Athletics & Recreation is deeply saddened to learn that Michael Soles, arguably one of the best football players ever to suit up for the University, passed away on Wednesday (July 7). He was 54.
In his honour, the Canadian flag outside the Sir Arthur Currie Gymnasium, will be lowered to half-mast on July 29, the date of his funeral service.
A 2000 inductee to the McGill Sports Hall of Fame, Soles had a productive 11-year career in the Canadian Football League. He succumbed in a local hospital after a 16-year struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neuro-degenerative condition more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. He fought this terrible disease much the same way he played football, with determination, grit and courage.
Born in Pointe Claire, Que., on Nov. 8, 1966, Soles attended St. Thomas High School and like NBA legend Michael Jordan, was initially cut from the varsity football team. He went on to lead St. Thomas to the GMAA high school football title in 1983 and then starred on the gridiron at John Abbott College, where he was later inducted to its Hall of Distinction in 2019.
Soles graduated from McGill University in only three years, earning a bachelor of arts degree in 1989, majoring in history and economics. After leading McGill to its first-ever Vanier Cup national football championship in 1987, he had NFL tryouts with Pittsburgh and Green Bay, then made the move to the CFL, where he merited a Grey Cup ring with Edmonton in 1993.
"He was the rising tide that lifted all boats," said former McGill offensive coordinator Pat Sheahan, currently an associate coach with the University of Calgary after stints at Queen's and Concordia. Sheahan was involved in the 1986 recruitment of Soles to McGill.
"I had a real personal connection and lots of fireside chats with him. Would we have won the 1987 championship without him? There are many who would say no. Was he integral to that 1987 miracle? He absolutely was.
"When I was recruiting him, I spoke to one of his teachers at St. Thomas who said that Soles was well-spoken, well-behaved, a model citizen, a great athlete, a good student and he just did everything that you would want a young man to do. He was a great character on campus and anytime (then McGill head coach) Charlie Baillie needed someone to represent the program, he reached out to Soles.
"In the last 50 years, there have been many outstanding players at McGill but in my humble opinion, as someone who has coached both on the inside and as an adversary, there's nobody who has had a greater impact on the legacy of the program. In every generation, there are great ones but Soles has distinguished himself as one of the all-time best."
A three-time all-star in the Ontario-Quebec Intercollegiate Football Conference, Soles was twice-named as an All-Canadian. He won 48 awards over his three seasons at McGill, including 13 as a freshman when he captured the Peter Gorman Trophy as CIAU rookie of the year in 1986. In his sophomore season, Soles led McGill to a stunning 32-16 upset over Bishop's in the OQIFC championship game, a thrilling 30-29 win over Saint Mary's in the Atlantic Bowl and a 47-11 rout over heavily-favoured UBC in the Vanier Cup. He won the Ted Morris trophy as most valuable player in the national championship game, rushing 25 times for a McGill playoff record of 203 yards in addition to scoring a pair of touchdowns.
Soles was named Team MVP in each of his three seasons and twice won the Forbes Trophy as McGill's male athlete of the year.
"Mike was a real team player and probably the best running back that ever played for me," recalled Baillie, who coached the program for 29 seasons before retiring in 2000. "He did everything well. He blocked, ran and caught the ball, and even threw it a few times on a halfback option. He was in the spotlight for most of the time and handled it very well."
Over his three seasons at McGill, Soles averaged 112 yards rushing per game, reaching the 100-yard plateau in rushing 19 times in 25 league and playoff games. He became the school's all-time leading rusher with 2,231 yards in 20 regular season contests, a record he held for 10 years until broken by Shawn Linden in 1998.
"Soles made every teammate two inches taller, 20 pounds heavier, stronger, faster and more confident," said Larry Ring, who served as defensive coordinator at McGill in 1987. "He could've played quarterback, receiver, linebacker or safety. He had the ability to make big plays and I don't remember him ever losing a yard while carrying the ball. A quiet, unassuming guy with a burning desire to be great. He was a humble hero."
Soles tied the team's single-season record for touchdowns (10) and ran for 20 career TDs. He also had six TD receptions and passed for another major on a halfback option. Perhaps his most impressive statistic was that he handled the ball 559 times and was charged with only two fumbles, both being recovered by his teammates.
The first CIAU player selected in the 1989 CFL Draft, he went fifth overall and played seven seasons for Edmonton, four more with the Montreal Alouettes and was a three-time CFL all-star.
He joined the Alouettes as a free agent in 1996 when the team rejoined the CFL after a 10-year absence and was a big part of its rebirth, opening gaps for running back Mike Pringle, while protecting quarterback Tracy Ham, both elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
In his first season with Montreal, Soles won the Lew Hayman Trophy as the most outstanding Canadian player in the CFL East Division. In the Alouettes initial game after returning to Percival Molson Memorial Stadium on Nov. 2, 1997, he scored the team's first touchdown en route to a 45-35 win over the BC Lions in the Eastern semifinal. He also tallied a TD in his last CFL game on a pass from Ham, fittingly at Molson Stadium. Soles retired from the CFL in April, 2000 with 3,007 rushing yards on 579 carries, 3,501 receiving yards on 325 receptions and 70 career touchdowns (45 rushing),
In 2014, his McGill teammates established the Michael Soles Football Award, an endowment fund that generates annual scholarships.
"Sad to hear about the passing of my friend and exceptional teammate, Michael Soles," tweeted CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie. "I know Michael loved life and how much he loved his family. Today, the people that knew him feel a deep and profound sadness. The qualities he exhibited each day should inspire us to make the world a better place. He will always be remembered as someone who made a difference."
Soles is the sixth member of McGill's 1987 championship team to pass away, joining receivers Paul Moore and Luc Thiffeault, in addition to linebacker Robert Shulist, defensive back Anthony Boyce and offensive line coach Chuck Poirier.
He is survived by his wife Catherine and children Justine, Matthew and Anthony. He will also be sadly missed by his mother Jane (Mark Bantey), father John (Jeanne Warren), sister Debbie, brother Derek (Julie McBain), their children Jacob, Carter and Noah and his extended family.
For those who wish to do so, donations in his memory to the Michael Soles Football Award or the ALS-Quebec would be appreciated
A funeral mass will be held at Saint-Joachim Church, 8 Saint-Joachim Ave, Pointe-Claire, Que., on July 29, 2021 at 2 p.m. Because of COVID restrictions the family has requested that individuals confirm their attendance by emailing his wife Catherine so that can guidelines are respected.
In his honour, the Canadian flag outside the Sir Arthur Currie Gymnasium, will be lowered to half-mast on July 29. Condolences or tributes may be left on an online Guestbook. The memorial service will also be streamed live online.
