Jim Corrigall

James Patrick Corrigall was born on May 7, 1946, in Barrie, Ontario, Canada — a young man from the Canadian Shield who would go on to become one of the most celebrated defensive linemen in the history of Canadian football. Standing six feet three inches and weighing 253 pounds, he brought to every field he stepped on something that cannot be coached: an insatiable desire to reach the ball carrier, in the least amount of time, in a very bad frame of mind. Corrigall attended Scollard Hall in North Bay and Barrie North Collegiate before earning a football scholarship to Kent State University in Ohio. There, his talent and fire burned bright. He was named Most Valuable Sophomore, Best Defensive Lineman, and Most Inspirational Player across his university years. He became the first Kent State player ever named to the All-Mid-American Conference first team for three consecutive years, and the first Golden Flash to captain the team for two years in a row. His No. 79 jersey was retired by the university — one of only five players ever to receive that honor. Drafted in the second round by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1970 NFL Draft, Corrigall instead chose to come home to Canada and join the Toronto Argonauts. Over an extraordinary eleven-year career with the Double Blue, he redefined what defensive excellence looked like in the CFL. He was named a CFL All-Star seven times, All-Canadian four times, and earned eight All-Eastern Division selections. In 1975, he won the Schenley Award as the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player — the only Argonaut ever to claim that honor. He appeared in 148 regular-season games and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1990. After his playing days, Jim gave football back in full measure. He served as head coach at Kent State from 1994 to 1997 and spent decades as an assistant at Mount Union, Akron, North Carolina State, Hiram College, and Archbishop Hoban High School, where he helped coach the team to an undefeated season in 2012. In 2019, he publicly disclosed a diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, becoming an important voice in the conversation about player safety and brain health. Jim was married to Marybeth and was a devoted father to his son Jim and daughter Amy. Those who knew him remembered not just the ferocious competitor, but the man of faith, warmth, and generosity who cared deeply about helping young men become winners — on the scoreboard, and in life. Jim Corrigall passed away on July 15, 2026, at the age of 80. His positive spirit and energy remain very much alive in all those he coached, mentored, and inspired.