After playing junior football with Thunderbay in the Manitoba Junior Football League, Wayne Drinkwalter was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the third round (19th overall) of the 1989 CFL draft. Before he could play any regular season gams for the tiger-Cats, Drinkwalter was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in July of 1989 for offensive lineman Darrel Harle. It turned out to be a good trade for Drinkwalter as the Roughriders would go on to win only their second Grey Cup in franchise history in that rookie season of 1989. The opponent in that 1989 Grey Cup was none other than the same Hamilton Tiger-Cats who had traded Drinkwalter. The Riders winning on a plast play fieldgoal by Dave Ridgeway.

Drinkwalter would go on to play seven seasons with the Roughriders from 1989 to 1995, mainly as a backup on the defensive line and on special tearms.  Drinkwalter was released by the Riders prior to the start of the 1996 season and picked up by Calgary where he sressed for 17 games in 1996. After his relase by Calgary, Drinwalkter was picked up by BC where he played his final season in 1997. Drinkwalter was traded by tghe Lions to Winnipeg for a fifth round draft pick, but never played for the Bombers.

In total, Drinkwalter played in 130 games, recording 33 defenisvie tackles and 37 special t eams t ackles. Drinkwalkteralso had 8 quarterback sacks, with a quite respeectable career high of 5 in his second season in 1990 with Saskatchewean. Drinkwalter also had three career fumble recoveries, one career interception and one blocked kick.