Tony Pajaczkowski

In December 1954, Pajaczkowski and Geary were signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU).^[6] Pajaczkowski made the roster in his first year and appeared in 12 games for the 1955 Stampeders at tackle and defensive end, mainly playing on kickoff teams.^[1][7] In 1956, his position was changed to guard by coach Jack Hennemier.^[8] Although initially reluctant to change, it was at this position that he became one of the all-time greats of Canadian football.^[8] In his first year at guard, Pajaczkowski earned a starting role and appeared in all 16 games as the Stampeders finished 4–12.^[9][10] In addition to playing at guard, he was also used by Calgary as a kicking specialist.^[10]

Pajaczkowski signed a contract extension in March 1957.^[10] Coach Otis Douglas called him one of Calgary's best Canadian prospects.^[10] He continued as starter in 1957, playing in every game as the Stampeders finished third place in the conference with a record of 6–10.^[11] On special teams, he made eight kickoffs for 391 yards, a 48.9 average.^[1]

Pajaczkowski re-signed with Calgary in May 1958.^[12] The Vancouver Sun reported in July that Pajaczkowski was "not far behind" teammate Harry Langford as the league's most outstanding guard.^[13] He appeared in every game in 1958, helping Calgary to a record of 6–9–1 and a fourth-place conference finish.^[14] After playing in 14 games in 1959, Pajaczkowski was named the team's best lineman by a fan vote.^[15] That year, the team compiled a record of 8–8.^[16]

Due to pronunciation difficulties, radio announcer Jack Wells refused to mention Pajaczkowski's name (pronounced pa-jə-KOW-skee) in all of the Calgary game broadcasts over a period of three years.^[2][17]

Pajaczkowski appeared in all 16 games in 1960, helping Calgary reach the second round of the WIFU playoffs.^[18] In addition to being their starting guard, he was the team's backup kickoff specialist that year, making 27 kickoffs for 1,495 yards, a 55.4 yard average.^[18] He was the Stampeders' nominee for the Schenley Most Outstanding Canadian Award and was the runner-up for the honor.^[8]

In 1961, Pajaczkowski made 51 kickoffs for 2,845 yards, an average of 55.8 yards per kick, and started all 16 games at guard, being named to the Western Football Conference All-Star team and earning the Most Outstanding Canadian Award.^[19][20] The 1961 Stampeders compiled a record of 7–9.^[21]

The following year, Pajaczkowski was named to the CFL All-Star team for the first time in his career.^[22] He was one of six Stampeders to be given that honor.^[22] He finished that season with 38 kickoffs for 1,955 yards while appearing in all 16 games.^[1] In 1963, he was named an all-star for the second consecutive season.^[23][24] He was named an all-star for a third time in 1964 and in 1965 earned his fourth-straight all-star honor.^[25][26] During his four-year all-star streak, he played in all 16 games each season and Calgary had a winning record each year, with four playoff appearances and three appearances in the Western Finals.^{[27][28][29][30]}

On May 19, 1966, Pajaczkowski was traded to the Montreal Alouettes.^[31] He played in all 14 games in his first year with the team.^[32] After a knee injury in a 1967 practice, he changed his position from right guard to right tackle.^[7] In a game against his former team, Calgary, Pajaczkowski was benched for the first time in his career.^[7] He announced his retirement in June 1968.^[33] He concluded his career having appeared in 198 games, recording 134 kickoffs for 7,159 yards (a 53.4 average) and nine fumble recoveries during that time.^[1]

After retiring, Pajaczkowski accepted a position as line coach at Loyola College in Montreal.^[34] In 1988, Pajaczkowski was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, and in 1996, he was inducted into the Calgary Stampeders Wall of Fame.^[35][36]

Pajaczkowski had dementia in his later years.^[3] He lived in Port Hope, Ontario, where he died on June 4, 2022, four days after his 86th birthday.^[3]