Mel Aull facts for kids
Mel Aull pictured c. 1947
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| Date of birth: | December 23, 1928 |
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| Place of birth: | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Date of death: | October 12, 2019 (aged 90) |
| Place of death: | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada |
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Career information
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| CFL status: | Non-import |
| Position(s): | E/Tackle |
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) |
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Organizations
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Career highlights and awards
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Melvin Andrew Aull (December 23, 1928 – October 12, 2019) was a Canadian football player. He played for three different teams: the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Ottawa Rough Riders, and Saskatchewan Roughriders. Mel Aull was a champion, winning the Grey Cup with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1951. He was also known for being the only deaf player in Canadian football during his time.
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Mel Aull: A Football Champion
Melvin "Mel" Aull was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He grew up loving football and started playing junior football with the Junior Hamilton Tigers. He was a strong player who became a professional athlete.
Overcoming Challenges
When Mel was 13 years old in 1942, he lost his hearing. This happened after he got a serious illness called spinal meningitis. Even though he could no longer hear, Mel didn't let this stop him. He learned to lip-read, which means understanding what people say by watching their lips. This skill allowed him to communicate well with others.
Playing Professional Football
Mel Aull played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for several years. He started his professional career in 1950 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He then moved to the Ottawa Rough Riders, where he played from 1951 to 1952. It was with the Rough Riders that he achieved a major victory, helping his team win the Grey Cup in 1951. The Grey Cup is like the championship trophy for Canadian football.
After his time in Ottawa, Mel joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He played for them in 1953 and 1954. Throughout his career, Mel Aull showed incredible determination and skill on the field.
His Legacy
Mel Aull's story is inspiring because he achieved so much despite facing a big challenge. Being a deaf player in professional football was very rare, and he proved that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. He passed away in Mississauga, Ontario, on October 12, 2019, at the age of 90. His life reminds us that true champions overcome obstacles.
