Dick Thorton's twelve year career from 1961 to 1972 was one that spanned the transition from players who went both ways to the specialized offensive and defensive squads used today. Thornton was a versatile player, who while used mainly at defensive back, but also backed up at QB and as a receiver. Punter injured? Thornton could fill in. Need someone to run back kickoffs and punts? Thornton could do it. Thornton split his career exactly in half with Winnipeg (1961-66) and Toronto (1967-72). He won 5 divisional All-Star awards, 1962, 1963 and 1965 with Winnipeg in the West and 1969 and 1971 with Toronto in the East. In three of those years, he was named All-Canadian (1963, 1965 and 1971). Thornton finished with a career total of 4 intereptions of which he returned 7 for touchdowns. In 1963, he had three interception returns for touchdowns and added another on a fumble return.

Thornton was an All-American at Northwestern University and was drafted by both the NFL and AFL in the 1961 college drafts. The Cleveland Browns selected Thornton in the sixth round and then traded hisrights to St. Louis while the Dallas Texans drafted him in the AFL. Thornton, however ended up in theCFL with Winnipeg where he would play in two Grey Cups, 1965 with Winnipeg and 1971 with Toronto, but unfortunately was on the losing end both times. Thorton was named to the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Hall of Fame in 1988.

Thornton did play one more season of professional football after the CFL, with the Memphis team in the WFL in 1974. Thornton did have ashort career as a coach and Athletic Director at Southwestern University before going into the food and beverage industry.

Dick Thornton passed away on December 19, 2014 from lung cancer at the age of 75..

Dick Thornton in Wikipedia

Article on Dick Thornton by Scott Murray
"Legends" article on Dick Thornton on the CFL web site

The CFL mourns the loss of Tricky Dicky Thornton