CALGARY, ALBERTA - The Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA) is proud to announce Montreal Alouettes defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund as the recipient of the 2026 Tom Pate Memorial Award, marking the 50th anniversary of one of the CFL's most meaningful player honours.

The Tom Pate Memorial Award is presented annually to the CFL player nominated by his fellow peers who demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship and makes significant contributions to his team, community and Players’ Association. As the award celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, Adeyemi-Berglund represents the values and spirit that the honour was established to recognize.

A central part of Adeyemi-Berglund's community involvement is The Berglund Bridge Organization, which he founded to create opportunities for youth and support families through football, mentorship, food security and community initiatives. Through the organization, he has developed several programs, including the Holiday Harvest Drive and Bridge the Gap Youth Football Camp.

The Holiday Harvest Drive supports local food banks and families during the holiday season, while the Bridge the Gap Youth Football Camp brings young people together with football players and coaches for skill development, mentorship, teamwork and leadership opportunities. Both initiatives connect athletes, youth, local businesses and community partners with the goal of giving back and creating opportunities within the community.

His involvement extends beyond his own organization, with participation in school visits, youth football practices and clinics, athletic banquets, mentorship opportunities, community fitness events and speaking engagements. Through these opportunities, he uses his platform as a professional football player to encourage young people to pursue education, athletics, leadership and positive community involvement.

For Adeyemi-Berglund, giving back is rooted in the importance of community throughout his own life. In his nomination application, he explained that growing up, he saw firsthand how much community support can mean to a family. Those experiences helped shape his desire to use his platform as a professional athlete to build relationships between athletes, youth, schools, businesses and the broader community.

His contributions also extend to the Montreal Alouettes locker room, where he has demonstrated leadership both on and off the field. Named a team captain and CFLPA Player Representative in 2026, Adeyemi-Berglund regularly speaks to teammates before games, helps lead and organize team meetings, and works to keep players connected and focused on shared goals. He also organizes team events and activities that strengthen relationships and contribute to a strong locker room culture.

On the field, Adeyemi-Berglund has established himself as one of the Eastern Division's recognized defensive players. He was named a CFL East All-Star in both 2024 and 2025 and was the Alouettes' Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Outstanding Canadian in both seasons.

"Isaac embodies what the Tom Pate Memorial Award represents. His commitment to his community, his teammates and the people around him is something that deserves to be recognized and celebrated. What stands out is his initiative to create opportunities for others and make a lasting difference through his work with The Berglund Bridge Organization. As we celebrate 50 years of this award, we are proud to recognize a player who represents the values of our Association and what it means to be a CFL player," said CFLPA President Solomon Elimimian.

As the Tom Pate Memorial Award celebrates its 50th anniversary, the CFLPA is proud to continue recognizing the players who make a difference beyond the football field. Named in honour of former CFL player Tom Pate, the award celebrates the sportsmanship, leadership and community contributions that help make a lasting impact on teammates, communities and the game of football.

Adeyemi-Berglund's selection as the 2026 recipient is a reflection of those values and the commitment he continues to demonstrate to the game of Football and to the communities that he serves.

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About the CFLPA: The Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA) is the union for professional football players in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Since 1965, the Association has worked to establish fair and reasonable working conditions while protecting the rights of all CFL players. In addition to negotiating and enforcing the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the CFLPA provides a variety of member services, builds corporate and community partnerships, and works diligently for the betterment of its membership. For the latest news regarding the CFLPA, please visit www.cflpa.com or follow us on social media @CFLPA.

For all CFLPA Media Inquiries - Contact:
Brendan Heisler | b.heisler@cflpa.com | 647-453-4848