Tim Tindale
Encyclopedia
Timothy Scott Tindale is a former American football
running back
for the Buffalo Bills
of the National Football League
. He played CIS football
in Canada at the University of Western Ontario
.
with the University of Western Ontario Mustangs from 1990 to 1994. After dominating the CIS, he graduated with a degree in kinesiology
. While in High School, he said he never intended to play pro football, but instead wanted to be a doctor. Tim won 2 Hec Crighton trophies, which is awarded to the CIS Football player of the year. Many say that if he hadn't fractured his leg in 1992, he would've gotten a third.
With rumours of the treatment of Canadian players in the NFL filtering through fans and players alike, Tindale had the inside scoop and his pleasant experience contradicted the stereotypes. "On my first day of mini-camp, [Buffalo Bills coach ] Marv Levy came up to me and knew my name and all my stats. He was the head coach and he knew everything about me."
His Western coach, Larry Haylor, said he remembers watching Tindale's first NFL touchdown while on vacation. "We were huddled around a 7-inch TV screen. Tim broke a run for 44 yards and my wife and I were jumping up and down, cheering and screaming. People came storming into our room to see what was wrong." Haylor also said "I always said Tim would be the guy I would pick first if I had to choose a team. At 5'11", 220 [pounds], he had very unique talents. He's one of those guys who will give you his soul in effort."
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
for the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He played CIS football
CIS football
Twenty-six universities across Canada compete in football under the auspices of Canadian Interuniversity Sport . The teams are divided into four conferences, drawing from the four regional associations of the CIS: Canada West Universities Athletic Association, Ontario University Athletics, Quebec...
in Canada at the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
.
Western Mustangs
Tim Tindale was an all-star fullbackFullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
with the University of Western Ontario Mustangs from 1990 to 1994. After dominating the CIS, he graduated with a degree in kinesiology
Kinesiology
Kinesiology, also known as human kinetics is the scientific study of human movement. Kinesiology addresses physiological, mechanical, and psychological mechanisms. Applications of kinesiology to human health include: biomechanics and orthopedics, rehabilitation, such as physical and occupational...
. While in High School, he said he never intended to play pro football, but instead wanted to be a doctor. Tim won 2 Hec Crighton trophies, which is awarded to the CIS Football player of the year. Many say that if he hadn't fractured his leg in 1992, he would've gotten a third.
NFL
In 1994, after graduating from the kinesiology program, Tindale tried out for the Buffalo Bills as a free agent and made the squad. "It was an unbelievable life experience," he said. Tim remembers his first NFL game, saying he's never seen so many people for an exhibition game. "70,000 people came just to see some guys try out for a team."With rumours of the treatment of Canadian players in the NFL filtering through fans and players alike, Tindale had the inside scoop and his pleasant experience contradicted the stereotypes. "On my first day of mini-camp, [Buffalo Bills coach ] Marv Levy came up to me and knew my name and all my stats. He was the head coach and he knew everything about me."
His Western coach, Larry Haylor, said he remembers watching Tindale's first NFL touchdown while on vacation. "We were huddled around a 7-inch TV screen. Tim broke a run for 44 yards and my wife and I were jumping up and down, cheering and screaming. People came storming into our room to see what was wrong." Haylor also said "I always said Tim would be the guy I would pick first if I had to choose a team. At 5'11", 220 [pounds], he had very unique talents. He's one of those guys who will give you his soul in effort."
Retirement
Due to injuries, Tim had to retire from the NFL after only 3 seasons, all with the Buffalo Bills.External links
- Tindale's Profile on Database Football
- http://www.nflcanada.com/CanadianRoots/ThroughTheAges/2007/10/01/4540863.html