Long-time CFL kicker, Oakville’s ‘Big Zee’ dead at 76
Published August 8, 2023 at 4:41 pm
Long-time CFL kicker and Oakville resident Zenon Andrusyshyn has died at the age of 76 on Tuesday (Aug. 8).
Andrusyshyn, who was born in Günzburg, Germany and immigrated from here with his Ukrainian parents, spent seven of his 15 seasons in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts with brief stops in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and the USFL with the Tampa Bay Bandits.
He also played three seasons for Edmonton and one each for Hamilton and Montreal.
“We mourn the passing of Zenon Andrusyshyn, who for a decade wore the Double Blue with pride, and whose name is etched the Argos record book,” the Argos wrote in a statement. “His contributions to the team and the sport will never be forgotten.
“Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Nick-named the “Big Zee, Andrusyshyn attended Oakville Trafalgar High School and earned a track and field scholarship to the UCLA before walking on to the football team there.
The twice named All-American punter was selected in the ninth round by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970 NFL draft and after being released was signed by Toronto the following season.
He played with the Argos from 1971 to 1977 before earning a spot with the Chiefs. After one season in Kansas City he returned to the CFL and the Hamilton Tiger Cats for one year before joining the Argos again for another three seasons (1980 to 1982).
After a brief stint with Edmonton, he played three years for the Tampa Bay Bandits in the USFL and closed out his football career with the Montreal Alouettes in 1986.
The two-East Division all-star finished his career with 1,010 points, 61,342 punting yards, 28,703 kickoff yards and 215 field goals in 163 CFL games.
At Oakville Trafalgar, the six-foot-two, 210-pound athlete set a high school javelin record that lasted 35 years and was a member of the Canada track and field team (javelin throw, shot put and discus) during the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.
Andrusyshyn was currently residing in Land o’ Lakes, Florida.
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