Remembering Plaza of Honour inductee Wally Dempsey (1944-2024)
01/02/2025 12:06 PM
Legendary linebacker Wally Dempsey, whose fumble recovery set up the Saskatchewan Roughriders' second touchdown in their first Grey Cup win, is being remembered for excellence on and off the football field.
"Wally deservedly had tremendous respect from his coaches and teammates during his years with the Riders," Don Bahnuik says of Dempsey, who was 80 when he passed away on Dec. 3.
"In my early years with the Roughriders, Wally was very supportive and encouraging and, most of all, took the time to 'coach' me on the responsibilities needed to be a good and better defensive lineman and contribute to the success of the defensive team."
Dempsey, an All-CFL selection in 1968 and a divisional honouree the following year, was enshrined in the SaskTel Plaza of Honour in 1995.
Signed by Saskatchewan on June 2, 1965, Dempsey played in 83 games over seven seasons with the Green and White.
As a second-year Roughrider, he was among four Washington State University products — along with George Reed, Hugh Campbell and Garner Ekstran — who helped Saskatchewan defeat the Ottawa Rough Riders 29-14 in the CFL's championship game on Nov. 26, 1966 in Vancouver.
On the final play of the first quarter, Dempsey recovered an Ottawa fumble on the Eastern Conference champions' 33-yard line. That turnover was soon followed by a 19-yard touchdown pass from Ron Lancaster to Alan Ford.
Dempsey was part of a Saskatchewan defence that did not allow the high-powered Ottawa offence to advance past midfield for the entire second half. Cue a championship celebration that, for the Roughriders, was 56 years in the making.
"That was the first time I drank champagne in a shower," Dempsey recalled in a 2006 interview. "That was quite unique — and a lot of fun."
Dempsey appeared in two more Grey Cup Games (those of 1967 and 1969) with Saskatchewan before playing out his option and signing with the Los Angeles Rams.
After Dempsey was released by the NFL team on Aug. 27, 1970, the Roughriders traded his playing rights to the B.C. Lions for quarterback Gary Lane. Dempsey played in five games with the Lions in 1970.
On April 16, 1971, Dempsey was reacquired from B.C. in a deal that also brought Moose Jaw-born lineman Archie McCord to the Roughriders. Saskatchewan surrendered running back R.C. Gamble and defensive back Brian Donnelly.
Dempsey started at middle linebacker in all 16 regular-season games, along with three playoff games, in 1971.
He made four more appearances with Saskatchewan in 1972 before trying out with the NFL's New York Jets in 1973.
In 1974, Dempsey signed with the Philadelphia Bell of the newly formed World Football League and was the team's starting middle linebacker for seven games — earning player-of-the-game honours after an 11-tackle performance against the Southern California Sun. He also spent time that season with the WFL's Memphis Southmen.
Post-football, Dempsey settled in California (where he grew up) and immersed himself in a successful career as a general contractor that spanned nearly 50 years.
"I buy houses, fix them up and sell them," the founder of Dempsey Construction said in 2006.
Dempsey is survived by his wife of 34 years (Darlene), three daughters (Brenda, Michele and Taylor), one son (Brett), a son-in-law (John Kearney), five grandchildren (Amber, Sean, Brendan, Seamus and Ronan), a great-granddaughter (Kali) and a twin brother (Sam). The Dempsey brothers were born in Melrose Park, Ill., on Jan. 19, 1944.
A service to honour the life and legacy of Wally Dempsey is to be held on Jan. 9 in Encino, Calif.
