SSHoF logoTed Dushinski

Athlete (2017)

Football

Ted DushinskiTed Dushinski kept getting in the way.

One of his lasting memories of playing for the Saskatoon Hilltops was intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown.

His rookie season in the CFL was 1966 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Dushinski, a defensive back, intercepted the first throw by the Edmonton Eskimos in the West semi-final. The Riders won the game. They went on to beat Ottawa for their first Grey Cup title. Dushinski was one of six former Hilltops on the Riders' championship team.

In 1969, Dushinski scored on an interception as the Riders defeated the Calgary Stampeders in the West final. In 1972, he had an interception for the Riders in an upset victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the West final. The Riders advanced to the Grey Cup both years.

Dushinski played in the Grey Cup four times in his 13-year CFL career in Saskatchewan and B.C. He is fourth all-time on the Riders in regular season interceptions with 33. He added five more interceptions in the playoffs.

Hilltops coach Al Ledingham said: “He was one of the best players in my early coaching years. He could play anywhere.”

Dushinski was a corner linebacker for the Hilltops. A graduate of Nutana Collegiate, he was twice the city high school champion in pole vault and played hockey for the Saskatoon Quakers junior team.

* Deceased *

" Not having to tackle George (Reed) and not having to work against Ron (Lancaster) probably prolonged my career. " -- Ted Dushinski was a defensive back on the Saskatchewan Roughriders for 11 years