Dave Dickenson Retires
February 4, 2009 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Calgary Stampeders News Release
Calgary Stampeders quarterback Dave Dickenson has decided to retire after 11 seasons in the Canadian Football League. The 34-year-old from Montana played in five Grey Cups - winning three - and will go into the books as one of the best quarterbacks of this generation.
Dickenson spent six of his 11 CFL seasons with the Stamps. He rejoined the club prior to the 2008 season and played an integral role in the Grey Cup victory as he backed up Henry Burris and provided key leadership and support.
He saw action in nine games but his season ended prematurely when he experienced post-concussion symptoms during the Labour Day Classic against the Edmonton Eskimos on Sept. 1.
"The time is right," said Dickenson. "I'm at peace with the decision and I feel privileged to have the career I've had. Everything went down exactly like I wanted - I'm ending my career in the same place it started and we won a Grey Cup in my final year."
Dickenson began his CFL career with the Stamps in 1996 when he was acquired in a trade with the Toronto Argonauts and spent that season on Calgary's practice roster. He rose to the active roster in 1997 and continued to improve every season. He backed up Jeff Garcia to a Grey Cup win in 1998 and started in a 1999 Grey Cup loss.
He was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 2000 and this stellar campaign resulted in National Football League options. He spent time over the next two seasons with the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions.
When Dickenson returned to the CFL in 2003, he joined the BC Lions and was a key building block that turned the Lions into a perennial contender. Under his direction, the Lions lost the 2004 Grey Cup and he reached the pinnacle again by winning in 2006. He was named the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player in 2006.
Dickenson played in 140 CFL regular-season games and 14 more in the post-season. He holds CFL records for highest single-season completion percentage (73.98 in 2005), highest quarterback rating in a single season (118.8 in 2005) and all-time highest completion percentage (67.5). He had an incredible touchdown-interception ratio of 36-6 in 2000 when he was a CFL allstar. He was a West Division all-star in 2000 and 2003.
Dickenson played four years at the University of Montana and was Big Sky Conference offensive MVP three times. He led the Grizzles to their first NCAA Division I-AA national title in his senior season and was the nation's offensive MVP. He still owns most Montana passing records. He was a two-year starter in high school and compiled a 24-0 record, including a state championship.
Dickenson lives in Calgary with his wife Tammy and children, Cooper and Avery.
Canadian Football League Stories from February 4, 2009
- Former BC Lions quarterback Dave Dickenson retires - B.C. Lions
- Dave Dickenson Retires - Calgary Stampeders
- Tiger-Cats Announce Football Operations Staff - Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Running Back Mike Imoh Under Contract - Montreal Alouettes
- Blue Bombers Celebrate I Love To Read Month - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Argos Dorsey Signs With Redskins - Toronto Argonauts
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