 |
Luc Tousignant is the only French-Canadian quarterback to start a game in the CFL. Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/luc-tousignant-montreal-1982--44191640078568627/ (May be subject to copyright) |
Back then, they briefly played under another name – the Montreal Concordes.
In fact, he was the last French-Canadian to start at quarterback for Montreal or any other team.
He entered the league with high expectations, that he just couldn’t meet.
Yet, it sure was cool hearing about him, watching him play, and learning to spell his last name.
His name was Luc Tousignant.
Quarterback controversy
Montreal Alouettes owner Nelson Skalbania wanted to make a splash in 1981 so he signed heralded quarterback Vince Ferragamo, one year removed from leading the Los Angeles Rams to within a quarter of winning the Super Bowl.
Montreal Alouettes owner Nelson Skalbania wanted to make a splash in 1981 so he signed heralded quarterback Vince Ferragamo, one year removed from leading the Los Angeles Rams to within a quarter of winning the Super Bowl.
However, Ferragamo’s success did not translate to the Canadian game. By the end of the 1981 season, he wasn’t even starting. He had been benched and replaced by veteran Ken Johnson for the last three games of the regular season, and the Alouettes’ lone playoff game.
After the season, Ferragamo was gone almost as fast as he came, and back in the NFL.
That left Montreal wondering – who will their quarterback be?
They had their eye on one particular player.
The prospect
Meanwhile in West Virginia, a quarterback from Trois-Rivieres, Quebec was making a name for himself.
Meanwhile in West Virginia, a quarterback from Trois-Rivieres, Quebec was making a name for himself.
Luc Tousignant played for Fairmont State University, of the Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, from 1978 to 1981. In 1981, he was a second team All-American, the conference’s offensive player of the year, and a first-team all-league selection.
Wikipedia reveals he led the Fairmont State University Falcons to the conference title with a 9-2 record, and a trip to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics playoffs. His 4,737 yards passing and 30 career touchdown passes were school records that lasted for 14 years.
Tousignant was chosen by the Buffalo Bills in the 1982 NFL Draft, taken in the eighth round, 218th overall.
However, Montreal wanted a Quebec-born quarterback, so they made a trade with Ottawa to secure his rights, then outbid the Bills and signed him to a contract.
I remember watching the sports news one night, and they had a piece on the Concordes' signing of Tousignant. I recall being struck by how tall he was, and how cool it was to have a French-Canadian quarterback playing for the only CFL team located in Quebec. I also remember being surprised a French-Canadian quarterback had played college football in the States and been drafted by an NFL team.
He was standing with club president Sam Etcheverry at that press conference, as they held a white Concordes helmet with that unique logo.
It’s go time
After Ferragamo’s departure, Johnson had done enough for Montreal to expect him to be their starter for the 1982 season. He could also mentor Tousignant.
After Ferragamo’s departure, Johnson had done enough for Montreal to expect him to be their starter for the 1982 season. He could also mentor Tousignant.
However, Johnson did not show up, so Tousignant was pressed into action as the Concordes’ starter.
It did not go well, but ir was not all bad either. Montreal finished last in the East Division with a 2-14 record, but Tousignant was the starter for both of Montreal’s wins. He appeared in all 16 of Montreal’s games and started five of them. By August, he had been replaced at starting quarterback by John Evans.
Tousignant finished the year completing 75 of 174 passes for 989 yards, four touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was also sacked 16 times, and rushed for 200 yards on 39 carries. His best game was a loss to Hamilton where he threw for 308 yards and a touchdown, while completing 24 of 36 passes.
He went to training camp in 1983, but was released and never played again.
Luc Tousignant was one of a few Canadian quarterbacks to start in the CFL. What makes him stand out is that, to this day, he is the only French-Canadian to start at quarterback.
For his efforts, the Fairmont State University Athletic Association voted him to the Fairmont State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
Parting thoughts
I always wonder if Canadian quarterbacks get the same chance as their American counterparts. Whether there is an inherent bias or not, I have seen too many times where Canadian quarterbacks are given a short leash. Meanwhile, ineffective American quarterbacks seem to be given chance after chance after chance, well past the time they can prove their effectiveness.
I always wonder if Canadian quarterbacks get the same chance as their American counterparts. Whether there is an inherent bias or not, I have seen too many times where Canadian quarterbacks are given a short leash. Meanwhile, ineffective American quarterbacks seem to be given chance after chance after chance, well past the time they can prove their effectiveness.
It would seem Luc Tousignant would have had some upside as a quarterback. He did win two of his five starts, and passed for more than 300 yards in a game.
Beyond that, from a business perspective it would have made sense to have a home-grown quarterback on the roster for his marketing value alone.
Yet, Luc Tousignant was not given that same second and third and fourth chance as a lot of American quarterbacks.
Still, he holds a special place in history as the only ever French-Canadian starting quarterback.
History, and the CFL, really should honour that achievement because Luc Tousignant really is one of a kind.
No comments:
Post a Comment