Tom Wilkinson will never be remembered as a great physical speciman, but he was one of the most successful QBs in the history of the CFL.  What Wilkinson might have lacked in sheer physical talent, he made up for with leadership, intelligence and clutch play.  He was never more dangerous than with the game on the line and time running out.

Wilkinson starred at Wyoming and came North to the CFL in 1966.  The CFL in question though was not the Canadian Football League, but the Continental Football League where Wilkinson played for the Toronto Rifles.  In 1967, Wilkinson moved over to join the Toronto Argonauts where he would play four seasons (1967-70). He saw limited action in his first two years, but Wilkinson broke out in 1969 with 2331 yards and a 56.4% completion percentage in 9 games.  After another year in Toronto, Wilkinson was traded to BC in 1971 as the Argnonauts made room for new quarterbacks Joe Theisman and Greg Barton. Wilkinson played just one game with the Lions in 1971 and was released prior to the start of the 1972 season.

It might have looked like it was the end of Wilkinson's football career, but it was really just getting started on the best part.    Wilkinson signed with Edmonton where he enjoyed tremendous success, playing in 8 Grey Cup games, and winning 5 of them. After losing to Ottawa in 1973 and Montreal in 1974, Wilkinson and Edmonton won the Grey Cup in 1975 ove rthe Alouettes, who they would meet with great regularity in the final.  There was another loss to Montreal in 1977, but then Edmonton went on to win five consecutive Grey Cups from 1978 to 1982, Wilkinson winning four of them, and retiring after the 1981 season.  Wilkinson often shared the quarterbacking duties while with the Eskimos due to injuries he sustained and the fact that Edmonton often had two talented quarterbacks.  Early on it was with Bruce Lemmerman and then later it was Warren Moon whom Wilkinson helped to groom for his own HOF career.

Wilkinson won three West and three CFL All-Stars in 1974, 1978 and 1979. Wilkinson was named the Outstanding Player in the CFL in 1974 and was the runner-up in 1978. Tom Wilkinson was named to the Edmonton Eskimo Wall of Fame and in 1987 was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame..

Tom Wilkinson in Wikipedia

Tom Wilkinson on the Edmonton Wall of Fame

Tom Wilkinson on cfl.ca

Wilkinson in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame

Wilkinson On Targer As Toronto Wins Again - June 25, 1970

Argos Deal Off Another Pivot - May 11, 1971

Wilkinson Released By Lions - July 15, 1972

Wilkinson Drives Eskimos Into Lead - September 9, 1972

Wilkinson Has Axe to Grind - November 16, 1973

Wilkinson Named Top Player In the West - November 13, 1974

Records Go to Ron, but Wilkie Still Top Passer - December 22, 1975

Wilkinson, Wade Set For Quarterback Duel - September 22, 1978

Quite a Comberback - November 27, 1978

Wilkinson's Lonjevity a Surprise Even to Him - November 22, 1979

Wilkinson Repeats as All-Star - January 16, 1980

Tom "Blanda" Wilkinson Not Ready to Quit - November 21, 1981