Jim Dillard, three-time CFL all-star with Stampeders, Rough Riders and Argos, passes away at 83

Photo courtesy: Ted Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Three-time CFL all-star Jim Dillard passed away at his home in Cleveland, Oklahoma on Tuesday at the age of 83.

The dual-threat running back spent seven seasons in the CFL from 1962 until 1966, spending three seasons with the Calgary Stampeders and two each with the Ottawa Rough Riders and Toronto Argonauts. Dillard earned Divisional All-Star honours once with each club and remains top five all-time in playoff catches and yards with the Stamps.

Signing in Canada despite offers from both the NFL and AFL, Dillard would rack up 733 carries for 3,949 yards on the ground and 28 touchdowns during his time in the CFL. He was just as effective through the air, hauling in 164 receptions for 2,496 yards and 19 more scores. Dillard would briefly sign with Bud Grant’s Minnesota Vikings in 1969 before retiring.

Known as the Fairfax Freighter, Dillard is one of just eight players in the history of Oklahoma State University to lead the team in rushing for three straight seasons and was selected to the Cowboys’ all-decade team for the 1950s.