Freddie Black was always an all-round athlete. He played on a variety of organized Etobicoke sports teams, including lacrosse, baseball and hockey, on the team sponsored by Kingsway Lumber, but after graduating from St. Michael’s High School he joined the Toronto Argonauts. His nick-name was “Blue Steel”, and he played in three consecutive decades in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s – during their “Glory Years”.

He was active in football from 1948 through to 1961, although he did sit out the 1958 season to get married.

In 1957, he was chosen co-captain of the Argos. Always a versatile player, that year he played both offence and defence – as an offensive linesman (guard and centre) and on the defence as end and linebacker. The results of the All-Star balloting showed Freddie with the greatest number of votes of any player – but unfortunately not the most votes in any one position. Since he couldn’t be named on position, they decided to name him an Honorary All-Star.

He played 132 regular season games and 13 play-off games. That included two Grey Cup encounters – 1950 and 1952.

He lived in Etobicoke for more than 40 years, and in that time has generously given back his football expertise to the community by helping to coach both the Lakeshore Bears and the Etobicoke Colts during many of their unbeaten seasons.