The Gruen Trophy is a
Canadian Football League trophy, formerly 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 include university athletes when future Hall-of-Famer
Russ Jackson, a graduate of
McMaster University, began his career but did not win the award.[2]