Frank Rigney

NFL player




DateOfBirth=April 9, 1936
Birthplace=
Position=Offensive Lineman
College=University of Iowa
DraftedYear=1958
DraftedRound=4 / Pick 43
(By the Philadelphia Eagles)
Over-all Draft pick=
PFR=
Awards=1984 Inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
Member Bomber Hall of Fame
1961 CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman
1962 CFL All-Star
1965 CFL All-Star
1966 CFL All-Star
1959 CFL Division All-Star
1960 CFL Division All-Star
1961 CFL Division All-Star
1962 CFL Division All-Star
1964 CFL Division All-Star
1965 CFL Division All-Star
1966 CFL Division All-Star
Records=
years=1958-1968
teams=Winnipeg Blue Bombers
CFHOF=24&player=Rigney,%20Frank

Frank Rigney (born April 9, 1936), was a tackle for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League.

Rigney played college ball with another Blue Bomber great, quarterback Ken Ploen at the University of Iowa.

Winnipeg won the Grey Cup with Rigney in 1958, 59, 61, and 62. They lost in 1965.

Back then players weren't given Grey Cup rings.

"The first year we got a tie clasp from the city. The second year that we won, we did get a ring, the one and only one we got. The next two that we won, I can't remember what we got. I think we got a watch." Rigney stated.

The CFL is looking into giving players from past years Grey Cup rings.

Rigney retired from football due to back injuries. After football he had a thirty-five year career in the insurance business and did media work for twenty years. He was the colour commentator for both the CBC and CTV football broadcasts, plus covered other sports such as the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York and the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.

In 2003, Rigney received a titanium shoulder replacement. In 2004 due to an ulcer in his right foot he has a toe amputated. Later, Rigney's right leg was amputated below his knee after an infection from an operation turned to gangrene.

Through ten seasons he only missed five games. Rigney calculated he's had seventeen surgeries related to his football career since retiring and only had one while playing.

Rigney currently resides in West Vancouver.

References

Judy Owen. "Legends - Game was cruel to lineman Rigney", Bomber Game Day/Winnipeg Free Press/Friday, June 2, 2006