CFL: Jim Stillwagon, fixture with 1970s Argos, dead at 68
Jim Stillwagon, who helped Ohio State win two U.S. college football titles before playing five seasons with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, has died.
Stillwagon died Sunday, the CFL team announced Monday. The cause of death wasn’t divulged. “We are saddened by the passing of All-Time Argo Jim Stillwagon,” the Argos said in a statement. “On behalf of the entire organization, and our fans, we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Jim’s friends and family.”
Stillwagon enjoyed a solid career at Ohio State, where he was a member of the Buckeyes’ “super sophomores.” His class finished its collegiate tenure with a 27-2 record.
Stillwagon was a three-year starter with the Buckeyes, helping them go undefeated in capturing the ‘68 American college football title. The defensive tackle was a consensus all-American selection in both his junior and senior seasons.
In 1970, he became the first U.S. college player to win the Outland Trophy (best interior lineman) and the Lombardi Award (top linebacker or lineman) in the same season.
Despite that, the six-foot, 220- pound Stillwagon wasn’t deemed big enough to play in the NFL. Stillwater was a fifth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1971, but chose to join the Argos.
He was a three-time league all-star over his five seasons in Toronto before injuries cut short his CFL career. Stillwagon was named the East Division’s top defensive player in 1972 and recognized as an All-Time Argo in 2009.
Stillwagon helped Toronto reach the 1971 Grey Cup game against Calgary.