Dave Thelen

PLAYING CAREER

OTTAWA ROUGH RIDERS 1958 - 1964
TORONTO ARGONAUTS 1965, 1966

AWARDS AND HONOURS

ALL-EASTERN RUNNING BACK 1959, 1960, 1963 - 1966
GREY CUP PARTICIPATION 1960
GREY CUP WINNING TEAMS 1960

Dave Thelen was a diverse athlete who also played semi-pro baseball. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB) before deciding upon a Canadian professional football career.

During his nine year career Thelen rushed for 8,463 yards on 1,530 carries, scoring 47 touchdowns. He was the league's leading rusher in 1960, and the Eastern leader in 1959 and 1965. During 1960 he had eight 100-yard rushing games.  His career best game was in September when he carried 33 times for 209 yards against Toronto.

Dave Thelen rushed for more than 1,000 yards per season in 1959, 1960, and 1961, and had 30 100-yard rushing games. In 1959 he was Ottawa's nominee for the Schenley Most Outstanding Player award.

INDUCTED 1989 - PLAYER

 

Class of 1989 Jerry Keeling, Karl Slocomb, Andy Tommy Sr, Ted Urness