Brad Sinopoli – Syl Apps Award 2016

Brad Sinopoli, wide receiver for the Ottawa Redblacks in the Canadian Football League, was born on April 14th, 1988 in Peterborough, Ontario. Brad grew up playing football and hockey at the highest level, an early sign of his elite athleticism. Along with being touted as one of the best collegiate quarterbacks in Canada, he also played AAA hockey for the Peterborough Minor Petes. With the University of Ottawa Gee Gee’s, his junior and senior years were most memorable statistically. In his senior year, Brad threw for 2756 yards and 22 touchdowns for an overall passing rating of 97.5. With that incredible performance in 2010, he earned the Hec Crighton Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding Canadian football player in CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport). In 2011, Brad was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in the fourth round (29th overall) in the CFL Canadian Draft where he would go on and play for 4 seasons as quarterback and later, wide receiver. The change in position was not in vain, as he would record 20 catches for 197 yards along with two receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown; the first being a 26 yard run TD on July 18th, 2014 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He would go on to sign with the Ottawa Redblacks for the 2015 season; the best one to date. Brad rightfully earned the award of 2015 CFL’s outstanding Canadian with 86 receptions totaling 1,035 receiving yards and three touchdowns. 2015 was also his third appearance at the Grey Cup. Brad’s premier athleticism, hard work, and success have earned him the 2015 Syl Apps Ontario Athlete of the Year Award. He is the first CFL player to earn this prestigious award since Damon Allen of the Argonauts in 2005. Read more: