Toronto – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of “Tricky” Dick Thornton . A two-time Grey Cup champion and three-time CFL All-Star, he passed away on Friday after battling lung cancer. He was 75 years old.
A dynamic and charismatic two-way player, Thornton played six (6) seasons as a member of the Argonauts from 1967 to 1972. He saw action on both sides of the ball as a defensive back and wide receiver. He appeared in 80 regular season and 10 playoff games in Double Blue. His eight (8) career interceptions returns for touchdowns are the second-most in CFL history.
Known for his charisma, “Tricky” Dick made one Grey Cup appearance as a member of the Boatmen, falling to the Calgary Stampeders in the 53rd Grey Cup game 14-11. Thornton made one of the game’s signature plays, recording a 54-yard interception return late in the fourth quarter. The play would not result in the go-ahead touchdown however, as Leon McQuay would slip on the wet turf and lose the football before the Argos could score.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Thornton played his college football at Northwestern University as a quarterback and safety where he was named an All-American in 1960. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 1961 NFL Draft but Thornton chose to play in Canada instead, first starring for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for six (6) seasons where he won Grey Cups in 1961 and again in the 1962 “Fog Bowl.” He also appeared in the 1965 “Wind Bowl” losing to Hamilton. For a full list of his career CFL statistics, visit CFL.ca here.
Thornton finished his career in 1974 by signing a one (1) year contract with the Memphis Southmen of the WFL and being named team captain. He was later named Head Coach and Athletic Director at Southwestern University at Memphis (Rhodes College). He led the team to a 9-1-1 record in 1977 before moving into the food and beverage industry in 1978. His work took him around the world from Atlanta to Australia, then London, Singapore and he eventually settled in the Philippines. He was also a prolific writer and is survived by his wife Lhyn, daughters Lisa and Ashley, his son Ricky, and his grandsons Trey and Josh.
In 2012, TSN aired a documentary series called Engraved on a Nation. The Toronto Argonauts’ episode was focused on the 1971 team, and its original working title was ‘Mavericks’ (later re-titled The Greatest Team that Never Won) to reflect the variety of personalities who made up the squad. Dick Thornton was featured prominently throughout the episode.
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