Jim Corrigall, the standout Canadian defensive lineman who spurned the NFL for a profession with the Toronto Argonauts, has died. He was 80.
Kent State, Corrigall’s alma mater, introduced his passing on Wednesday. The college did not expose the reason for dying however in 2019 Corrigall and his daughter, Amy Corrigall Jones, instructed the Akron Beacon Journal he had realized that he seemingly suffered from persistent traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), an incurable degenerative mind illness brought on by repeated head trauma.
“We mourn the passing of Kent State nice Jim Corrigall,” the college posted on social media. “Jim embodied what it means to be a Golden Flash each as a participant and a coach.
“Our ideas are together with his household, pals, teammates, and all who had the privilege of realizing him.”
Kent State head coach Mark Carney echoed these sentiments.
“Unhappy to listen to of the passing of @KentStFootball nice Jim Corrigall,” Carney stated in a social media publish. “(He is) one in all simply 5 gamers to have his quantity retired right here.
“Your legacy is not going to quickly be forgotten Coach!”
Corrigall was born in Barrie, Ont., and attended highschool in North Bay, Ont., earlier than happening to play collegiately at Kent State. The six-foot-three, 253-pound Corrigall loved a stellar college profession, being chosen the staff’s most beneficial sophomore, prime defensive lineman and most inspirational participant.
He was additionally the primary Kent State participant to be chosen to the primary staff All-Mid-American Convention three consecutive years. Upon his commencement, the college retired Corrigall’s No. 79 jersey.
Corrigall’s play caught the attention of the St. Louis Cardinals, who made the Canadian lineman their second-round choose, No. 33 total, within the 1970 NFL draft. However Corrigall opted as a substitute to play for the Argos, who held his territorial rights.
Corrigall went on spend his whole 12-year CFL profession with Toronto.
“I assumed that that they had a greater alternative to win at that exact time they usually supplied me a two-year contract,” Corrigall instructed the Argos’ web site. “I favored the thought of a short-term contract.”
Corrigall was the East Division’s prime rookie in 1970 and a convention all-star eight occasions. A four-time All-Canadian, Corrigall was named the CFL’s prime defensive participant in 1975 in addition to Toronto’s excellent participant and prime Canadian nominees.
He was once more nominated for all three awards three years later and completed his tenure with Toronto as a player-coach his remaining two seasons.
“It was an energizing time for me,” Corrigall stated. “My feelings actually run the gamut — it was thrilling, it was unhappy, it was rock ‘n’ roll time.
“It was a terrific, nice time and also you could not discover a higher place to play than in Toronto. The folks, the press, they had been at all times very, superb to me.”
Corrigall, lengthy thought to be the center and soul of the Argos’ defence, appeared in 148 profession regular-season video games with Toronto in addition to 5 playoff contests. He performed in a single Gray Cup, that being the ’71 sport that noticed the Calgary Stampeders maintain on for a 14-11 victory after recovering Leon McQuay’s late fumble on a moist Empire Stadium area in Vancouver earlier than 34,404 followers.
Corrigall was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1990 and named to the All-Time Argos checklist in 1997.
“That was an exciting second in my life,” Corrigall stated of his Corridor of Fame induction. “It was very humbling.
“I by no means thought I might get elected. It is due to the individuals who pushed me all through my life. I’m very lucky to get there. The nice factor is that when you’re younger sufficient to understand it, my household noticed me inducted and now my children can go to see it. I really feel very blessed that method.”
Corrigall was additionally named to Kent State’s Athletics Corridor of Fame, the Mid-American Convention Corridor of Fame, Summit County Sports activities Corridor of Fame and Barrie Sports activities Corridor of Fame.
Former Argos head coach Leo Cahill stated Corrigall’s Canadian Soccer Corridor of Fame choice was becoming.
“He was a terrific soccer participant,” Cahill stated. “He was truly a center linebacker at Kent State and I transformed him to defensive finish.
“I did not suppose he had the mobility and quickness to drop again on move protection. However Corrigall might do loads of issues very, very effectively … Corrigall had an insatiable have to get to the ball service within the least period of time in a foul mind set. I feel that greatest sums up Jim Corrigall.”
