By Noah Sidel,
Editor, MontrealAlouettes.com
After a standout career on the offensive line in Toronto, Winnipeg and Montreal, Dave Mudge hung up his cleats for good following the 2008 season and is now doing sideline commentary for Alouettes’ radio broadcaster CJAD 800 AM and working towards an MBA at McGill University.
What was it like to start your CFL career with the Bombers after spending some time in the NFL, NFLE and with the Argos?
With the exception of Amsterdam, I had experienced some difficulty staying on the starting roster prior to going to Winnipeg. Once I was traded there, I had the opportunity to play right away and gain valuable experience playing in the Canadian game. It took some adjustment to get used to the defensive linemen being a yard off the line of scrimmage again.
Driving west, I had no idea about the city and I planned to return to the Toronto area immediately after the 2000 season. I only brought clothes and things that I would need for the season but then I fell in love with the city, the people there, and playing a professional sport in a smaller city. I never made that drive back east until I was traded to the Alouettes in 2005, five Winnipeg winters later.
How did you go about winning the league’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman award in 2001?
Success in any game for a lineman is always dictated by two or three plays. You never know when they will be, but these few plays can dictate success or failure for the game. The 2001 season was the same; I had two good games against Joe Montford who was then the top defensive lineman in the league, and I was on an outstanding team (14-4 regular season). That seemed to be the difference.
How did it feel when you first joined the Alouettes?
It isn’t an easy feeling to know that a team is trying to trade you – your life could be completely changed in one day. I knew there was something going on when Winnipeg wanted to place me on the injured list even though I was perfectly healthy, and then I was thrilled to discover that it was Montreal that I was getting traded to. Then, as now, Montreal is always a perennial leader of the league.
Coming in, the offensive line in Montreal was a successful and close-knit group. They welcomed me right away and made me feel a part of the group immediately. It was a pleasure to play with all of the great players on the Alouettes.
How did it feel to end your career with the Als?
Overall, I have been very happy to end my career on my own terms. Of course now when I retired I knew the Als will win the Grey Cup this year in Calgary – that is the one lingering regret that I have with my career… I went to four championship games and lost them all. I would have loved to win the championship game.
What’re you up to now?
Right now I am finishing up an MBA in finance) at McGill and looking for work in commercial real estate or banking. My wife, Chantal Desjardins of Virgin Radio, and I have greatly enjoyed life in Montreal and wish to work and live in the city.
