Matt Dunigan of TSN before the game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at New Mosaic Stadium in Regina, SK, Saturday, July 1st, 2017. (Photo: Johany Jutras)
BOMBER ALUMNI PROFILE | MATT DUNIGAN
Years with the Bombers: 1992-94
Position: Quarterback
Currently resides: Rockwall, Texas
Occupation: Broadcaster/TSN Football Analyst
Family: Wife: Kathy (35 years); Children: Dane (31), Madison (27), Dolan (26)
5 Quick Facts about Matt Dunigan
1. Dunigan first came to Canada with the Edmonton Eskimos in 1983, following a spectacular college career at Louisiana Tech University. He was the back-up to Warren Moon in his rookie season and became the starter in 1984 when Moon left for the Houston Oilers.
He rushed for 732 yards in 1984 and then 737 a year later – totals which at the time were CFL records for most yards rushing by a quarterback.
2. The Esks made back-to-back Grey Cup appearances in 1986 and 1987, and won in 1987 – although Dunigan watched as he was injured in the game and Damon Allen came off the bench to lead the team to victory. After the ‘87 Grey Cup, Dunigan took a shot at playing pro baseball. He spent part of the offseason training with a scout from the California Angels and attended spring training with the Montreal Expos and was signed to a Class A contract before being released.
3. Dunigan was twice traded in exchange for seven players. First, he went from Edmonton to B.C. in 1988 for Jim Sandusky, Jeff Braswell, Greg Stumon, Reggie Taylor, Andre Francis, Leroy Blugh and the Lions first pick in the 1989 CFL Draft.
And following the 1989 season he was shipped from B.C. to Toronto for Rick Johnson, Willie Pless, Tony Visco, Emanuel Tolbert, Todd Wiseman and Jearld Baylis.
4. Dunigan signed with the Bombers as a free agent in 1992 and spent three seasons with the club, twice making Grey Cup appearances – falling to the Doug Flutie-led Calgary Stampeders in 1992 and then being injured for the 1993 loss to Edmonton – while the 1994 team lost to the Baltimore Stallions in the division final.
He signed with the expansion Birmingham Barracudas in 1995 and finished up his career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1996. He coached at Valdosta State and spent the 2004 season as the Stamps GM and head coach before taking on his current job as an analyst on TSN.
It was 25 years ago this summer – July 14th, 1994, to be exact – in which Dunigan established a CFL record as a member of the Bombers, throwing for 713 yards in a win over Edmonton. Dunigan obliterated the previous record of 601, set by Danny Barrett, that night as well as his own team record of 467, established in 1992.
5. Dunigan is a member of the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame (2003), Canadian Football Hall of Fame (2006), Louisiana Tech University Athletic Hall of Fame (2011), Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (2019).
Fondest memory playing for the Bombers: July 14, 1994
Proudest football accomplishments: Leading four different teams to a Grey Cup appearance (Edmonton in 1986, 1987; B.C. in 1988, Toronto in 1991, Winnipeg in 1992, 1993).
Proudest non-football accomplishment: The Tom Pate Award (selected annually by the CFL Players’ Association and presented to a player with outstanding sportsmanship and someone who has made a significant contribution to his team, his community and Association).
Favourite hobby/ pastime: Hot & nasty garage workouts.
Prized football possession: Canadian Football Hall Of Fame bust from artist/sculptor Gino Cavicchioli.
Four former teammates you’d love to have dinner with again: Trey Junkin, Eric Upton, Miles Gorrell, David Williams.
Most talented Bomber player you played with was: Chris Walby.
Bomber coach who had the most influence on you: Mike Kelly.
What you miss about playing football: Beers with the boys.
What you don’t miss about playing football: Pain.
