Virgil Wagner

Virgil Wagner played his college football at John Milliken University in Illinois and came North to the CFL in 1946 to join the Montreal Alouettes for their first season.  Wagner played nine seasons for the Als from 1946 to 1954, winning four East All-Star honours at halfback in 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1949 (there were no CFL All-Stars until 1962). Wagner tied for the IRFU (East) scoring lead in his rookie season in 1946 with the great Joe Krol, and then won the scoring title in the next three seasons (1947-49). Wagner's touchdown production in his first five seasons was nothing short of sensational.  In 60 games, Wagner scored 66 touchdowns, averaging better than one per game.  Wagner would go on to finish with 79 career toudchdowns. In 1947, Wagner won the Jeff Russell Trophy as the Outstandng Player in the IRFU.  Wagner played in two Grey Cups, winning one in 1949 and losing to Edmonton in his final season in 1954.  Virgil Wagner was elected to no less than three Hall of Fames in 1980.  They were his college Hall of Fame at Millikan, his hometown Hall of Fame in Belleville, IL, and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.  Virgil Wagner passed away on August 22, 1997.

Wikipedia Article on Virgil Wagner

Virgil Wagner in the CFL Hall of Fame 

Virgil Wagner in the Canadian Encyclopedia

Wagner Signs With 1947 Alouettes - June 13, 1947

1947 Article from the Ottawa Citizen on Wagner Winning the Scoring Title

Virgil Wagner Retires - June 10, 1955

Alouettes Retire Number 78 of Virgil Wagner (French) - September 13, 1955

Fans To Honor Herb, Virgil - September 15, 1955

Wagner's Number 78 Retired - October 10, 1955

Playing the Field - Wagner, Trawick Day - October 11, 1955

Wagner Elected to Canadian Football Hall of Fame - June 14, 1980

Four Titles In a Row For Wagner - July 8, 1980

Obituary for Virgil Wagner

Alouettes Re-Retire Virgil Wagner's #78 (French) - July 12, 2012

 

GP, Rushing, Receiving and Points
Year Team GP TC Yds Avg TD Long Rec Yds Avg TD Long PTS
1946 MON 12









65
1947 MON 12









71
1948 MON 12









60
1949 MON 12









77
1950 MON 12









60
1951 MON 11









30
1952 MON 12









20
1953 MON 14









5
1954 MON 14 68 329 4.9 2 21 5 63 12.6 0 21 10

 

Individual stats other than scoring and some limited games playes (for players who scored points) stats were not kept in the East in 1954. Wagner also kicked 3 converts, one in 1947 and two in 1949.

Interceptions
Year Team Int Yds Avg TDInt Long
1946 MON




1947 MON




1948 MON




1949 MON




1950 MON




1951 MON




1952 MON




1953 MON




1954 MON 2 27 13.5 0 27

Virgil Wagner from the Canadian Football HOF

Virgil Wagner

Virgil Wagner

Virgil Wagner

Virgil Wagner