Vince Goldsmith was one of the first of a new breed of smaller, faster defensive ends in the CFL. At 5 foot 11 and only 235 pounds, Goldsmith would have been tabbed as a linebacker in the NFL, but his speed and the bigger Canadian field made him ideal for th emerging position of "rush end". Goldsmith broke into the CFL with Saskatchewan in 1981, and played for the Riders in his first of two three year stints with the club. Goldsmith had an instant impact with 17 Quarterback sacks in his rookie season and winning the Oustanding Rookie Award in the CFL as well as being named to the West All-Star team. Goldsmith had another 12.5 sacks in 1982, and then set a career high with 20 in 1983 as he wond his second West All-Star honour and his first CFL All-Star. In a surprise move, the Riders traded Goldsmith to Toronto in May of 1984 for defensive lineman Rick Mohr. Goldsmith's one year in Toronto yielded 12 xacks. Toronto traded Goldsmith to Edmonton prior to the 1985 season along with defensive back Lemont Meacham for QB Kevin Ingram. Edmonton released Goldsmith before the season started, however, and he then signed as a free agent with Calgary. After only 6 sacks in his first season in Calgary, Goldsmith got back on track with 15 sacks in 1986 and 12 in 1987. Also, in 1987, Goldsmith recovered five fumbles, returning two of them for touchdowns. Goldsmith returned to Saskatchewan for the 1988 season when he was traded for a third round college draft pick. Perhaps, Calgary thought Goldsmith's best days were behind him, but Goldsmith added his third West All-Star for the Riders in 1988 when he recorded 15 sacks. Goldsmith played two more years for the Riders, including the 1989 season when he was a member of only the second Grey Cup winning team in Saskatchewan franchise history. Goldsmith ended his career with 130.5 sacks.
Tackle stats were first kept in 1987.
Goldsmith had one OTF in 1988.
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