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Dave Sapunjis's career started out the way a lot of Canadian receivers seem to in the CFL. Sapunjis was a first round draft pick (fifth overall) by Calgary in the 1990 CFL college draft. In his rookie season in 1990, as the promising new comer, he was used as a backup receiver with fair success, catching 21 passes for 262 yards. In 1991, however, Sapunjis saw less action on offense with only 9 catches and was employed almost exclusively on special teams where he had a league leading 33 special teams tackles. Having "earned his chance" on special teams, Sapunjis was finally given a chance as a regular in 1992 and he responded with 77 catches for 1317 yards. Not bad for a Canadian eh? Well, there were still better things to come from "The Sponge" as in 1993, Sapunjis accomplished something few Canadian receivers have done in recent CFL history. Sapunjis had 103 catches for 1484 yards and 15 touchdowns - leading the CFL in all three categories for a receiving "triple crown". Sapunjis was named the Outstanding Canadian in 1993, as well as being selected to the West and CFL All-Star teams. Injuries limited Sapunjis to just 12 games in 1994, though his 57 catches for 666 yards are more than many receivers have in a full season. In 1995, Sapunjis set new career highs in catches (111) and yards (1655), as he won a North All-Star selection. Sapunjis only played one more season, snagging 82 catches for 1075 yards in 1996 before retiring at the top of his game.
Games Played and Receiving
| Team |
Year |
GP |
Rec |
Yds |
Avg |
Long |
TD |
| CAL |
1990 |
18 |
21 |
262 |
12.5 |
24 |
1 |
| CAL |
1991 |
18 |
9 |
107 |
11.9 |
20 |
0 |
| CAL |
1992 |
18 |
77 |
1317 |
17.1 |
59 |
4 |
| CAL |
1993 |
18 |
103 |
1484 |
14.4 |
75 |
15 |
| CAL |
1994 |
12 |
57 |
666 |
12 |
28 |
6 |
| CAL |
1995 |
18 |
111 |
1655 |
14.9 |
48 |
12 |
| CAL |
1996 |
18 |
82 |
1075 |
13.1 |
61 |
8 |
Rushing
| Year |
Team |
TC |
Yds |
Avg |
TD |
Long |
| 1990 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1991 |
CAL |
2 |
7 |
3.5 |
0 |
6 |
| 1992 |
CAL |
1 |
-7 |
-7 |
0 |
-7 |
| 1993 |
CAL |
0 |
24 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1994 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1995 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1996 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Fumbles
| Year |
Team |
F |
FL |
OFR |
| 1990 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1991 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1992 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1993 |
CAL |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| 1994 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1995 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1996 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Kickoff Returns
| Year |
Team |
KOR |
Yds |
Avg |
TD |
Long |
| 1990 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1991 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1992 |
CAL |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1993 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1994 |
CAL |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1995 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1996 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Punt Returns
| Year |
Team |
PR |
Yds |
Avg |
TD |
Long |
| 1990 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1991 |
CAL |
10 |
124 |
12.4 |
1 |
68 |
| 1992 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1993 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1994 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1995 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1996 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Tackles
| Year |
Team |
T |
ST |
Total |
| 1990 |
CAL |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| 1991 |
CAL |
1 |
33 |
34 |
| 1992 |
CAL |
4 |
11 |
15 |
| 1993 |
CAL |
1 |
6 |
7 |
| 1994 |
CAL |
2 |
2 |
4 |
| 1995 |
CAL |
2 |
1 |
3 |
| 1996 |
CAL |
2 |
0 |
2 |
Fumble Returns
| Year |
Team |
FR |
Yds |
Avg |
TD |
Long |
OFR |
FF |
| 1990 |
CAL |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
| 1991 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
| 1992 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
| 1993 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
| 1994 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
| 1995 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
| 1996 |
CAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
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