Scott Coe named CFL's finest player for 2006

NEWS RELEASE

GIBSON'S FINEST CANADIAN PLAYER

************************* Calgary Stampeder Scott Coe receives inaugural CFL Fan Choice Award Coe donates $10,000 cheque to children's football program

TORONTO - Who is the Canadian Football League (CFL)'s finest? After almost 50,000 fan votes were cast online at the official CFL website, the results are in and the 2006 Gibson's Finest Canadian Player is Calgary Stampeder and Winnipeg native Scott Coe.

An elated Coe was awarded the honour by three-time Grey Cup winner and Canadian Football Hall of Famer Russ Jackson in a ceremony held just hours before yesterday's Grey Cup Parade.

In addition to being the first recipient of this annual award, Coe made a $10,000 donation to his charity of choice - Timbits Atom Football Program in Calgary - courtesy of the award sponsor.

Coe's generous donation will be used to buy necessary equipment for Atom Football teams which consist of players aged eight to ten.

"Football can be an expensive sport. It takes about $500 to outfit just one kid with all the equipment he or she would need," said Coe. "Donating my time is one thing, and it's a lot of fun being directly involved with a children's football program as a coach and spokesperson, but now thanks to the Gibson's Finest Canadian Player Award I can make an even bigger contribution to the kids." Atom football players in Calgary receive a very unique experience thanks to local Tim Hortons owners in Calgary, Scott Coe and his fellow players.

Each child has the opportunity to play at McMahon Stadium, home of the Calgary Stampeders and go behind the scenes in the locker room while under the leadership of a Stampeder player who acts as their honourary coach.

Autographs from their favourite players and medals for participating are also awarded to every child in the program. "Scott is an excellent ambassador for Canadian football and truly worthy of the first-ever Gibson's Finest Canadian Player title," added Jackson. "Not only has he proven his ability on the field, his work with the Timbits Atom Football program has proven his commitment to football, players, fans and the community at large." As the official spirit of the CFL - Gibson's Finest Canadian Whisky, wanted to get people talking about football so they partnered with the CFL to launch an annual contest and fan choice award, Gibson's Finest Canadian Player.

The award includes an official title, player trophy and a $10,000 donation to the winner's charity of choice courtesy of William Grant & Sons, the makers of Gibson's Finest Canadian Whisky.

About Gibson's Finest

In Canada, Gibson's Finest is the number three brand in the growing premium and deluxe Canadian whisky categories.

The brand range comprises Gibson's Finest 12-year-old, a benchmark premium Canadian whisky, and Gibson's Finest Rare 18-year-old, one of the longest-aged Canadian whiskies

About William Grant & Sons

William Grant & Sons is an award-winning independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886, and today is still controlled by the fifth generation of his family.

The company distils some of the world's leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world's favourite single malt Glenfiddich - the handcrafted range of the Balvenie(R) single malts and the world's fourth largest blended Scotch Grant's -. William Grant & Sons also owns a number of premium spirits brands including Gibson's Finest Canadian whisky.

Photo caption Gibson's Finest Canadian Player 2006, Scott Coe - a Winnipeg native and Calgary Stampeder - signs autographs for fans nine-year-old Connor Clow and seven-year-old Brendan Clow alongside Football Hall of Famer Russ Jackson who earlier presented him with the award during the 2006 Grey Cup Festivities.

Left to right: Scott Coe, Connor Clow, Brendan Clow, Russ Jackson.

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