Matt Dunigan

Dunigan in 2022
No. 16[1]
Position	Quarterback
Personal information
Born	(1960-12-06)December 6, 1960 (age 64) Lakewood, Ohio, U.S.
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight	199 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High school	Lake Highlands (Dallas, Texas)
College	Louisiana Tech
NFL draft	1983: undrafted
Career history
Playing
1983–1987	Edmonton Eskimos
1988–1989	BC Lions
1990–1991	Toronto Argonauts
1992–1994	Winnipeg Blue Bombers
1995	Birmingham Barracudas
1996	Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Coaching
2004	Calgary Stampeders (HC) (GM)
Awards and highlights
2×Grey Cup champion (1987,1991) Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy (1993) Tom Pate Memorial Award (1989) 3× CFL All-Star (1985,1988,1995) 2×CFL West All-Star (1985,1988) 2×CFL West All-Star (1993,1994) CFL South All-Star (1995)
Career NFL statistics
Passing 3,057/5,476 Passing % 55.8% Passing Yardage 43,857 (Avg: 8.0) Passing TDs 303 Interceptions 211
Canadian Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2006)

Mathew A. Dunigan^[1] (born December 6, 1960) is an American broadcaster and former professionalfootball player and executive. He was aCanadian Football League (CFL)sportscaster forCanadian sports television channelTSN. Dunigan is a formerquarterback,coach, and executive in the CFL. In 2006, Dunigan joined theCanadian Football Hall of Fame, and was voted one of theCFL'sTop 50 players (#39) of the league's modern era by Canadian sports network TSN.^[2]

In 2008, he was named the host ofRoad Grill, a Canadian barbecue cooking series onFood Network Canada.

Although born inOhio, Dunigan was raised inDallas,Texas, attendedLake Highlands High School and grew up admiringDallas Cowboys quarterbackRoger Staubach. A member of an athletically inclined family, he enrolled atLouisiana Tech University in 1979, while Tech was classified as an NCAA Division I-A program. In 1982, Dunigan's senior season, Louisiana Tech began play inDivision I-AA.

In his freshman year, Dunigan played in eight games behind incumbent starting quarterback Mark Buchanan. Dunigan was named the starting quarterback for the 1980 season by newly hired head coachBilly Brewer. Dunigan's best collegiate season was in 1982 as a senior, going 222–413 for 2,843 yards, 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Dunigan led the Bulldogs to a 9–2 regular season record, an undefeated 5–0 record in theSouthland Conference, a #2 ranking in The Sports Network poll, and the program's first ever berth in the Division I-AA playoffs. After a 38–3 quarterfinal win at home againstSouth Carolina State, the Bulldogs were eliminated from the playoffs in a 17–0 semifinal loss at home toDelaware.

In 44 total games at Louisiana Tech, Dunigan had completed 550 of 1,103 pass attempts for 7,010 yards with 40 touchdowns against 50 interceptions. Dunigan was inducted into theLouisiana Tech University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.

Dunigan broke into the CFL in1983 with theEdmonton Eskimos. In hisrookie season, he backed upWarren Moon.

Prior to the1984 CFL Season, Moon left for theNFL'sHouston Oilers and the Eskimos became Dunigan's team. That year, he was Edmonton's nominee as Most Outstanding Player. Dunigan was fourth in the CFL in passing, fourth in rushing, and set the CFL record for rushing yardage by a quarterback in a season (732), a record that has since been eclipsed.

In1985, Dunigan was nominated as Edmonton Most Outstanding Player for the second consecutive year, and was a CFL West All-Star and a CFL All-Star.

He led the Eskimos to back-to-backGrey Cup appearances in1986 and1987, winning in 1987. He had to watch most of the game from the bench due to injury. His backup during this time was another CFL legend in the making,Damon Allen.

After the75th Grey Cup victory, Dunigan tried pursuing aMajor League Baseball career. He worked with a scout from theCalifornia Angels, then showed up inFlorida duringspring training. He was hoping to catch on with theMontreal Expos. He was signed to a Class A contract, but then released on the last day.

While Edmonton held on to his rights, they traded him to theBritish Columbia Lions in June1988 forJim Sandusky and future considerations. The future considerations that completed the trade in January 1989 includedJeff Braswell,Gregg Stumon,Reggie Taylor,Andre Francis, and BC's first round draft choice in the1989 CFL College Draft,Leroy Blugh. Dunigan led the Lions third place in the West Division with a 10-8 record. BC defeated Saskatchewan 42-18 in the West Semi-Final. In the West Final, BC beat the team that traded Dunigan in June, the Edmonton Eskimos, 37-19. This was the first time the Eskimos had ever lost a playoff game at Commonwealth Stadium. In theGrey Cup game, BC lost toWinnipeg 22–21. BC had a chance to win the game late in the fourth quarter. Winnipeg was leading 22–19, and BC was scrimmaging at Winnipeg's 7-yard line. Dunigan attempted a pass into the endzone, but it was deflected byDelbert Fowler, and intercepted byMichael Gray.

In1989, Dunigan was for the first time on a losing team, and a team that missed the playoffs. BC fell to 7–11. Individually, he threw for a then-career-high 27touchdowns, and his first 4000 yard season (4,509). He was nominated as BC's Most Outstanding Player. However, newmanagement came in, and Dunigan would be on the move again.

In March1990, Dunigan was traded to theToronto Argonauts forRick Johnson,Willie Pless,Tony Visco,Emanuel Tolbert,Todd Wiseman, andJearld Baylis. When he arrived in Toronto, they made theplayoffs in 1990, but lost in the Division Final.

However,1991 proved to be a memorable year for the CFL andArgonauts. Canadian actor and comedianJohn Candy, along with hockey greatWayne Gretzky, andLos Angeles Kings ownerBruce McNall purchased the Argos. Toronto then made noise by signingNotre Dame receiverRaghib "Rocket" Ismail. The Rocket, along with Dunigan andrunning backMichael "Pinball" Clemons led Toronto to a 13–5 record. After afirst round bye, the Argos won against Winnipeg in front of a packed outSkyDome, and advanced to the Grey Cup. However, in thatplayoff game, Dunigan broke hiscollarbone. He was able to throw the length of a hotel ballroom after doctors deadened his shoulder. In minus 19 degree weather, he threw twotouchdowns and won his second Grey Cup. Dunigan was granted free agency status in February 1992.

In June1992, Dunigan signed with theWinnipeg Blue Bombers, where he spent the next three years. The Bombers went to the Grey Cup in1992, only to lose to theCalgary Stampeders. In the game, Dunigan was 6 of 19 for 47 yards passing, and could not generate any points. He was replaced late in the game byDanny McManus who generated 10 points.

The1993 season was a very productive season for Dunigan. He was a CFL East All-Star, tied for the CFL lead in rushing touchdowns (11), was Winnipeg's nominee as Most Outstanding Player, the East Division Most Outstanding Player, and ultimately the runner-up for the league award to Doug Flutie. He broke the Blue Bomber record by throwing for 36 touchdowns. Winnipeg finished 14–4. Unfortunately, Dunigan tore hisAchilles tendon in the team's sixteenth game of the season, against the Sacramento Gold Miners, and would miss the rest of the season. He was replaced bySammy Garza, who guided Winnipeg to theGrey Cup. Dunigan watched the game on crutches. Winnipeg lost 33–23 to Edmonton.

In1994, Dunigan returned from his achilles tendon injury. On July 14, he made pro football history when he passed for 713 yards in a 50–35 victory over his former team, the Eskimos. He was nominated as an Eastern All-Star for the second consecutive season. Dunigan was granted free agency status in February 1995.

In1995, the CFL was entering its third season ofUS expansion, and added two teams: theMemphis Mad Dogs and theBirmingham Barracudas. Memphis tried pursuing Dunigan, but eventually landedDamon Allen. Dunigan landed in Birmingham in April. This season was Dunigan's best season statistically, as he passed for 4,911 yards and 34 touchdowns. He was the team's Most Outstanding Player nominee.

In the team’s eighth game of the season, Birmingham defeated the Calgary Stampeders in Calgary 31-28. Dunigan threw a touchdown toEddie Britton with 9 seconds remaining in the game. This game ended Calgary’s CFL record 27 regular season game home winning and unbeaten streaks dating back to 1992. Also In this game, Dunigan moved pastTom Clements into second place all-time in CFL passing yardage.

In the home finale against Edmonton, Dunigan broke his throwing hand and watched the rest of the season, including the playoffs, from the sidelines. The Barracudas would lose in the playoffs 52–9 to theSan Antonio Texans.

All the U.S.-based teams folded except for the Grey Cup champion,Baltimore Stallions, who relocated toMontreal. As a result of the Barracudas folding, Dunigan was granted free agency status in February 1996.

In May1996, Dunigan signed a two-year contract worth more than $1 million with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Hamilton started 4–1, including Dunigan's 100th win as a starting quarterback in the team's fifth game against BC. In the sixth game of the season, Hamilton was hosting BC, and Dunigan left the game with injury. In the first quarter, he endured hits fromReggie Carthon andShelton Quarles, and was forced from the game with a concussion. This was the last time Dunigan would play in the CFL.

Dunigan officially announced his retirement on February 18, 1997. His retirement was prompted by chronic head injuries.

Upon retirement, Dunigan was the only quarterback to lead four different teams to the Grey Cup game (Edmonton, BC, Toronto, Winnipeg). He also finished second toRon Lancaster in the following all-time regular season passing categories:

• Touchdowns (303)
• Yards (43,857)
• Attempts (5,476)
• Completions (3,057)

He was only the second quarterback, after Lancaster, to reach 100 regular season wins as a starting quarterback. Dunigan ranked fifth in yards rushing by a quarterback (5,031).

In 2006, Dunigan was voted one of the CFL'sTop 50 players (#39) of the league's modern era by Canadian sports networkTSN.^[2] Dunigan was also elected into theCanadian Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

In February 1997, Dunigan was named the offensive coordinator forValdosta State University's football program. He spent the 1997 and 1998 seasons in this position.

In2004, theCalgary Stampeders hired Dunigan to be their general manager and head coach. In July, he assumed the role of offensive co-ordinator after he firedJohn Jenkins.^[3] After a disappointing 4–14 season, Dunigan was fired.^[3]

During his playing career, when his team was not playing in the Grey Cup, Dunigan would serve as an analyst forCFL on CBC. This included 1989 and 1994. He also served as acolour commentator for a 1993 West Semi-Final game, Saskatchewan at Edmonton. From 1999 to 2003 and 2005 to 2024, Dunigan was astudio analyst and colour commentator forCFL on TSN.

In 2006, on a dare from his family, Dunigan auditioned for the position as host of a barbecue TV seriesRoad Grill, which premièred in 2008 with him as host. He has also become acookbook author, using recipes based on the show.^[4][5]

Dunigan is outspoken about thedangerous effect of concussions. He has suffered from memory problems, speech difficulties, balance issues, and memory loss from the numerous concussions he suffered during his playing career.^[6]

• CFL Legends – Matt Dunigan
• Argos Heroes – Matt Dunigan
• Canadian Football Hall of Fame – Matt Dunigan

• 1960 births
• Living people
• American color commentators
• American football quarterbacks
• BC Lions players
• Birmingham Barracudas players
• Calgary Stampeders coaches
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• Players of American football from Dallas
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• Use mdy dates from October 2011