Marken Michel wins Calgary Stampeders’ Herm Harrison Memorial Award for community service

Photo: Angela Burger/Calgary Stampeders

The Calgary Stampeders have recognized receiver Marken Michel with the Herm Harrison Memorial Award, which is awarded annually to a player for outstanding community service.

The star pass catcher takes part in the Every Yard Counts program, which sees him and select teammates visit the Alberta Children’s Hospital the day before every home game. He also helps out with such organizations and initiatives as the Calgary Food Bank, PinkPower and KidsPlaybe.

Michel has become a fixture of the team’s Learn to Play flag football camp for ages 5 to 15 and often attends minor football games and practices. He has also gone above and beyond his team-sponsored duties on multiple occasions by leading groups of teammates into the downtown core to distribute food and water to those in need.

“One of the toughest questions in life is what is my purpose and my assignment in life? What you wake up thinking about and what you think about constantly before you go to sleep is a clue as to what your purpose and assignment is in life,” Michel said in a statement.

“Your assignment is any problem you were created to solve on the Earth. What you love is a clue to the gift and wisdom you contain to complete your assignment. What you hate is a clue to something you are assigned to correct. What grieves you is a clue to something you are assigned to heal. These are my constant reminders to make a difference.”

The 31-year-old from Plantation, Fla. has caught 60 passes this season for 621 yards and five touchdowns.

Harrison played for the Stampeders from 1964 to 1972 and was a six-time West Division all-star and three-time CFL all-star. He stayed in Calgary after his playing career was over and supported numerous community initiatives. The award in his name was established in 2013 with previous winners including Rob Cote, Randy Chevrier, Bo Levi Mitchell, Joshua Bell, Rob Maver, Kamar Jorden, Colton Hunchak, and Reggie Begelton.

The Stampeders (4-10-1) will host the Edmonton Elks (5-11) on Saturday, October 12 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.