Few Canadian-born football players have had the career that Chris Schultz has enjoyed. Born in 1960 and raised in Burlington Chris began his storied football career in the Burlington Minor Football Association. Upon entering high school, Chris played for the Aldershot Lions. He was a tall, lanky youngster who loved the game and excelled as an offensive lineman.
His story is one of passion, determination, and will. He was determined to see how far he could go in football and was intent on receiving a scholarship to a big American university team. So, at 17, completely unannounced, Chris took the bus from Burlington to Michigan State to visit the Spartans and to Syracuse to visit the Orangemen just to let them know he was ready to play football. With those two trips and some 10 letters to other universities, the word got around that there was this somewhat crazy kid from Canada ready to play football for anyone interested.
The University of Arizona of the Pacific 12 Conference took notice and in March of 1978, Chris got his full athletic scholarship. As an Arizona Wildcat from 1978 to 1982, Chris spent his first 4 years on the defensive line and played in the 1979 Fiesta Bowl. In his senior season of 1982, Chris switched to left tackle on offense knowing it would be his best position to get drafted into the NFL.
And he did in April of 1983, in the sixth round, as the 189th pick overall he was taken by the Dallas Cowboys coached by the legendary Tom Landry. It took 3 years to break into the starting line up but in 1985 he was a starter for the ‘America’s Team’.
Then in 1986, that dream ended and a new one began as Chris signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Chris played nine seasons becoming an all-star in 1987 and 1988. He played in the 1987 Grey Cup and in 1991, winning the Grey Cup. At this time the Argos were owned by Bruce McNall, Wayne Gretkzy, and John Candy. In 2007 Chris was named to the Toronto Argonaut all-time team, a fitting and crowning achievement for a highly successful homegrown football player. During his playing days, Chris was very active in the off-season representing the Argonauts as a member of their charity basketball team and numerous other charitable functions.
After his football career, Chris entered the field of broadcasting. This new venture began in September 1993 on radio and evolved into TSN of Bell Media in 1998. As a full-time analyst, Chris earned respect in the studio, not unlike the respect he earned on the football field. He continues to offer his time and presence to worthy causes. In partnership with the CFL, TSN, and Purolator, Chris is now the national spokesman for the Purolator Tackle Hunger program. It has raised over 7 million pounds of food for Canadian food banks since its’ inception in 2003.
Chris Schultz has had a storied career in professional football as both a player and analyst. His determination and commitment to the game ‘inside and outside the lines’ is the mark of a true professional and a welcome addition to the Burlington Sports Hall of Fame.