The Gruen Trophy was a Canadian Football League trophy, given to the most outstanding Canadian rookie in the East Division. The award, sponsored by the Gruen Watch Co. and inaugurated in 1946,[1] was discontinued and the trophy retired in 1973, as the CFL chose to award the Schenley Award to the best rookie, regardless of nationality.
Prior to 1959, rookie players who were Canadian and had played only junior or high school football were eligible. This was changed to included university athletes when future Hall-of-Famer Russ Jackson, a graduate of McMaster University, began his career but did not win the award.[2]
