A native of Empire Ohio, defensive back and placekicker Don Sutherin, made headlines when he kicked the game winning, field goal in the 1958 Rose Bowl, as his Ohio State Buckeyes won the NCAA National Championship.
Sutherin was drafted by the National Football League’s New York Giants later that year, but started his professional career with he Canadian Football League’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats. After one year with the Cats, Sutherin returned to the States to play with the Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers. However in 1960, the 5-10, 193 pounder would return to the Steel City to resume a stellar 12 year career in the CFL.
Sutherin played seven more years in Hamilton, before a three year stint with Ottawa and one year with Toronto to close out his Hall of Fame career.
The man they call ‘Sudsy’ played only one game with the Cats in 1960 but had an interception and a couple of field goals.
Things really started happening for Sutherin the following season. He had an Eastern All-Star campaign, winning the Conference scoring title, and logging 11 interceptions.
In 1962 he had eight pickoffs and captured an All-Canadian award as well as another conference all-star honour.
He would snare six interceptions in 1964, when he won another conference scoring title and took home his third Eastern All-Star and second All-Canadian awards.
Sutherin won his third scoring title and a fourth conference all-star nod in 1965.