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Hall of Famers

Hall of Famer

Ab Box

Inducted in 1975

Member Details

Date of Birth: March 8, 1909
Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario
Date of Passing: July 30, 2000
Sport: Football
Member Category: Athlete

Career Highlights

1930

Toronto Balmy Beach - Grey Cup winners 

1933

Toronto Argonauts - Grey Cup winners 

1934

Jeff Russel Trophy

1935-38

Toronto Balmy Beach

Hall of Famer Ab Box
Sport

Story

Ab Box was an outstanding halfback who possessed exceptional kicking and running skills. In an era when scoring single points from midfield was common practice in football, Box's kicking abilities were an enormous asset to his team. He once kicked 13 single points in a playoff game for the junior Malvern Grads. Box was a protégé of another star player, Ted Reeve, who coached his team at Malvern Collegiate in Toronto. Box moved with him to play for Toronto's Balmy Beach from 1930-31, helping them claim the Grey Cup in 1930. From 1932-34, Box was the kicking star of the Toronto Argonauts, leading them to a Grey Cup title in 1933. In 1934, he won the Jeff Russel Trophy as most valuable player in the Eastern Big Four. A year later, Box returned to play for Balmy Beach until his retirement in 1938. A sportswriter for the Toronto Telegram from 1932-35, Box was known not only for his incredible athletic ability but also for his superb sportsmanship. After his retirement, he worked as a salesman during the winter and operated a lodge during the summer.