Tom Burgess (Canadian football)

Tom Burgess (born March 6, 1964) is a former all-star quarterback in the Canadian Football League (CFL).^[1][2]

Burgess was a graduate of Colgate University, playing from 1982 to 1985, and was inducted into the Colgate University Athletic Hall of Honor in 1986. As a senior on the 1985 squad, he was named honorable mention Associated Press All-American after setting 14 school records in passing and total offense. He finished ninth in the nation in total offense with 266.1 yards per game. Burgess also received Colgate's Andy Kerr Trophy, given annually to the squad's most valuable offensive player. He threw for a school-record 2,565 yards in 1985 and gained a school-record 2,927 yards of total offense.

In March 1986, Burgess was signed as a free agent by the Ottawa Rough Riders.

In April 1987, he was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for quarterback Joe Paopao.

In 1988, Burgess was the starting quarterback for the Roughriders when they lost the West Semi-Final 42–18 to the BC Lions.

In 1989, he was instrumental in the Roughriders playoff run for their 1989 Grey Cup victory. Burgess was part of a quarterback tandem with Kent Austin. Burgess defeated the 16-2 Edmonton Eskimos in the 1989 CFL Western Final replacing an injured Austin who would return to start and win the 1989 Grey Cup. Both quarterbacks were capable starters and Burgess requested a trade in the off-season to pursue a full-time starting opportunity.

In July 1990, Burgess was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He was nominated the East Division All-Star quarterback. He quarterbacked the Blue Bombers to a Grey Cup win in 1990. Burgess was named the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player on Offence of the 78th Grey Cup.

In 1991, Burgess had his first 4000 yard passing season. Winnipeg was hosting its first Grey Cup. Burgess guided Winnipeg to the East Final, but the team lost 42–3 to the eventual Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts.

Burgess was granted free agency status in February 1992.

In May 1992, Burgess was signed as a free agent by the Ottawa Rough Riders, his second stint with the team. He was nominated the East Division All-Star quarterback for the second time in his career.

In 1993, he enjoyed a 5,000 yard, 30 TD passing season.

In March 1994, Burgess was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, his second stint with the team. Saskatchewan finished 11-7 and lost in the West Semi-Final to Calgary 36-3.

In 1995, Saskatchewan was hosting its first Grey Cup. Unfortunately, the Roughriders were unable to qualify for the playoffs.

Burgess was released by Saskatchewan in May 1996.

He was inducted into the Saskatchewan Roughrider Plaza of Honor in 2009.