Dave Ridgway
Encyclopedia
David "Dave" Ridgway was a placekicker
for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
of the Canadian Football League
. His CFL career began in 1981 when he was drafted by the Montreal Alouettes
. He did not make the squad that year and returned to the University of Toledo
to complete his degree
in Marketing
. Prior to the 1982 CFL season he signed as a free-agent with the Roughriders and began an impressive 14 year career with the club.
Ridgway is the eldest son of Leonard and Mary Ridgway, and has two younger brothers (John and Neil) and one sister (Lyn). Ridgway emigrated to Canada in 1974 and began his football career while attending M.M. Robinson High School
in Burlington, Ontario
. In 1977 he began his collegiate football career playing in the Mid American Conference with the University of Toledo Rockets.
His most famous kick as a Roughrider was a 35-yard field goal in the dying moments to lift the Roughriders to a 43-40 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
in the 1989 Grey Cup
in what was arguably one of the most thrilling Grey Cup
games in history. The game was played in the newly opened Toronto SkyDome
and brought the province of Saskatchewan only their second Grey Cup victory in the team's long and storied history.
Ridgway is considered one of the best placekickers to ever play the Canadian game and was known for his dependability in clutch situations. He is the most accurate kicker in CFL history for those who have attempted more than 150 career field goals. During his 14 year tenure he attempted 736 field goals and made 574 (78%). He played in 238 games, all with the Roughriders.
In 1987 Ridgway made a then CFL record 60 yard field goal (since surpassed by Paul McCallum
in 2001 when he hit from 62 yards). He still holds or shares a number of CFL records such as 59 field goals made in a season in 1990, and 8 field goals made in a game (which he did twice, in 1984 & 1988). Ridgway held the record for most consecutive field goals made, with 28 in 1993. This record—particularly impressive because the majority of his kicks were attempted in the windy confines of Taylor Field—was also bested by McCallum who connected on 30 straight field goals in 2011. Both Ridgway's and McCallum's streaks ended with misses in BC Place Stadium
.
His nickname was "Robokicker" and many feel it was well deserved. It was also the title of his best selling autobiography, Robokicker: An Odyssey through the CFL, which was co-written with David A. Poulsen and published in 1995.
His jersey number 36 is one of only eight jerseys retired by the Roughrider organization. Ridgway was inducted in to the Roughriders Plaza of Honour in 2000 and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
in 2003.
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. His CFL career began in 1981 when he was drafted by the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
. He did not make the squad that year and returned to the University of Toledo
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
to complete his degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
. Prior to the 1982 CFL season he signed as a free-agent with the Roughriders and began an impressive 14 year career with the club.
Ridgway is the eldest son of Leonard and Mary Ridgway, and has two younger brothers (John and Neil) and one sister (Lyn). Ridgway emigrated to Canada in 1974 and began his football career while attending M.M. Robinson High School
M.M. Robinson High School
M.M. Robinson High School is a high school located in northern Burlington, Ontario, Canada, administered by the Halton District School Board. Founded in 1963, the school is named after the founder of the British Empire Games, Melville Marks Robinson, who was subsequently a Board member.The school,...
in Burlington, Ontario
Burlington, Ontario
Burlington , is a city located in Halton Region at the western end of Lake Ontario. Burlington is part of the Greater Toronto Area, and is also included in the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area. Physically, Burlington lies between the north shore of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment...
. In 1977 he began his collegiate football career playing in the Mid American Conference with the University of Toledo Rockets.
His most famous kick as a Roughrider was a 35-yard field goal in the dying moments to lift the Roughriders to a 43-40 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
in the 1989 Grey Cup
77th Grey Cup
The 77th Grey Cup was the 1989 Canadian Football League championship game played between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at SkyDome in Toronto, ON. The Roughriders defeated the Tiger-Cats, 43-40 on Dave Ridgway's winning field-goal...
in what was arguably one of the most thrilling Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
games in history. The game was played in the newly opened Toronto SkyDome
Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League...
and brought the province of Saskatchewan only their second Grey Cup victory in the team's long and storied history.
Ridgway is considered one of the best placekickers to ever play the Canadian game and was known for his dependability in clutch situations. He is the most accurate kicker in CFL history for those who have attempted more than 150 career field goals. During his 14 year tenure he attempted 736 field goals and made 574 (78%). He played in 238 games, all with the Roughriders.
In 1987 Ridgway made a then CFL record 60 yard field goal (since surpassed by Paul McCallum
Paul McCallum
Paul McCallum is a professional Canadian football player currently playing as a placekicker and punter for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League...
in 2001 when he hit from 62 yards). He still holds or shares a number of CFL records such as 59 field goals made in a season in 1990, and 8 field goals made in a game (which he did twice, in 1984 & 1988). Ridgway held the record for most consecutive field goals made, with 28 in 1993. This record—particularly impressive because the majority of his kicks were attempted in the windy confines of Taylor Field—was also bested by McCallum who connected on 30 straight field goals in 2011. Both Ridgway's and McCallum's streaks ended with misses in BC Place Stadium
BC Place Stadium
BC Place is a multi-purpose stadium located at the north side of False Creek, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It serves as the home field for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer . Originally opened on June 19, 1983 as the...
.
His nickname was "Robokicker" and many feel it was well deserved. It was also the title of his best selling autobiography, Robokicker: An Odyssey through the CFL, which was co-written with David A. Poulsen and published in 1995.
Awards and honours
- CFL All-Star, 1982, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1993
- Dave Dryburgh Memorial Trophy Winner, 1989, 1990, 1991
- Dick Suderman Trophy (Most Outstanding Canadian in a Grey Cup), 1989
His jersey number 36 is one of only eight jerseys retired by the Roughrider organization. Ridgway was inducted in to the Roughriders Plaza of Honour in 2000 and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
Canadian Football Hall of Fame
The Canadian Football Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit corporation, located in Hamilton, Ontario, that celebrates great achievements in Canadian football. It is an open to the public institution. It includes displays about the Canadian Football League, Canadian university football and Canadian...
in 2003.