Dave Ridgway

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For the Australian politician, see David Ridgway

David "Dave" Ridgway (born April 24, 1959 in Stockport, England) was a placekicker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. His CFL career began in 1981 when he was drafted by the Montreal Alouettes. He did not make the squad that year and returned to the University of Toledo to complete his degree in Marketing. Prior to the 1982 CFL season he signed as a free-agent with the Roughriders and began an impressive 14 year career with the club.

Ridgway is the eldest son of Leonard and Mary Ridgway, and has two younger brothers (John and Neil) and one sister (Lyn). Ridgway emigrated to Canada in 1974 and began his football career while attending M.M. Robinson High School in Burlington, Ontario. In 1977 he began his collegiate football career playing in the Mid American Conference with the University of Toledo Rockets.

His most famous kick as a Roughrider was a 35-yard field goal in the dying moments to lift the Roughriders to a 43-40 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1989 in what was arguably one of the most thrilling Grey Cup games in history. The game was played in the newly opened Toronto SkyDome and brought the province of Saskatchewan only their second Grey Cup victory in the teams long and storied history.

Ridgway is considered one of the best placekickers to ever play the Canadian game and was known for his dependability in clutch situations. He is the most accurate kicker in CFL history (when attempting more than 150 career field goals). During his 14 year tenure he attempted 736 field goals and made 574 (78%), he played in 238 games, all with the Roughriders.

In 1987 Ridgway made a then CFL record 60 yard field goal (since surpassed by Paul McCallum in 2001 when he hit from 62 yards). He still holds or shares a number of CFL records such as 59 field goals made in a season in 1990, 8 field goals made in a game (which he did twice, in 1984 & 1988) and he kicked a record 28 consecutive field goals in 1993...not bad considering the majority of his kicks were attempted in the windy confines of Taylor Field.

His nickname was "Robokicker" and many feel it was well deserved. It was also the title of his best selling autobiography, Robokicker: An Odyssey through the CFL which was co-written with David A. Poulsen and published in 1995.

Ridgway has two children, Christopher Dallas (September 26th, 1988) and Drew Bradley (May 7th, 1990), he is married to Connie Howard and resides in the United States.

Awards and Honors:

CFL All-Star, 1982, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1993 Western Conference All-Star, 1982, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993 Dave Dryburgh Memorial Trophy Winner, 1989, 1990, 1991 Dick Suderman Trophy (Most Outstanding Canadian in a Grey Cup), 1989

His jersey number 36 is one of only 8 jerseys retired by the Roughrider organization. Inducted in to the Roughriders Plaza of Honor, 2000 Inducted in to Canadian Football Hall of Fame, 2003 Grey Cup participation, 1989 Grey Cup Winning Team, 1989