Donny DiMartino

Donny DiMartino was a quarterbacks of the Prairie Football Conference during his playing career; after his quarterbacking days came to an end he became an offensive lineman winning numerous awards for his play.

Early life

DiMartino was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. His passions at a young age were soccer and Canadian football.

Playing career

DiMartino was a talented quarterback by the time he graduated from Ness Junior High School. Due to his impressive size 6’2” he was also a very solid and talented soccer goalkeeper. He attended John Taylor Collegiate and was a 2 sport standout. The Winnipeg Fury Soccer Club showed interest in signing the young goalkeeper but he chose to follow his passion for football and joined the Prairie Football Conference.

It is in the Prairie Football Conference that DiMartino found his stride. In 4 seasons with Hawkeyes he led the team into the playoffs all 4 years and made it to the Conference Finals 4 times. During that period, the Hawkeyes represented the West in the National Canadian Bowl 3 times: the Hawkeyes won the big game twice and DiMartino was named the MVP in both games.

DiMartino made his debut and his first start against the Huskies, and looked like a veteran by throwing for four touchdowns against a strong team. This was just the beginning of a remarkable 1996 season, in which the first-year football player threw for 3,991 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions with a ridiculously high quarterback rating for a rookie: 101.3, highest in the league.

DiMartino led the Hawkeyes to the ’96 Canadian Bowl game against Toronto. DiMartino looked good, throwing for 423 yards, but the Hawkeyes lost the National Championship 24-14 in front of a rabid Toronto home crowd. Significantly, DiMartino failed to convert on a vital two-point conversion late in the game that could have tied the affair at 14-14, although the icy conditions made the attempt difficult. The failure forced the Hawkeyes into an onside kick attempt, which failed in the worst way possible as Toronto returned it for a touchdown and took a lead that they would not lose. Despite the loss, DiMartino was named Rookie of the Year.

There was no sophomore jinx for DiMartino, he ended up with a 77.6 completion percentage, 4,640 yards, 35 touchdowns and 3 interceptions and earned the Most Valuable Player award. The Hawkeyes made the playoffs, brushing aside the Saskatchewan Huskies in the Western final thanks in no small part to DiMartino's 356 yards. The ’97 Canadian Bowl in Regina, Saskatchewan featured the Hawkeyes against an unpleasantly familiar foe: Toronto. But with the previous season's championship loss still stinging, the Hawkeyes put the screws to Toronto, embarrassing them 43-22, for the team's first Championship in a decade. DiMartino played exceptionally against Toronto coach Jason Bent's renowned blitzing defense, hitting 32 of 41 passes for 401 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Over DiMartino’s 4 seasons with the Hawkeyes, they won 56 regular season games with him at quarterback and only losing 12. DiMartino was so dominant as a quarterback, that most teams would only rush 2 defensive lineman and drop everyone into coverage because of his strong arm, quick release and pin point accuracy. He kept defenses guessing and threw for over 17 ,000 yards in his 4 seasons.

He was an All-Canadian 4 times as a quarterback and twice as an offensive lineman. In 1999 both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League showed interest in DiMartino. DiMartino decided however to hang up his cleats - albeit temporarily. He returned in 2001 as an offensive coach. DiMartino was convinced to re-ignite his football career midway through the 2001 season. DiMartino became one of the Leagues best Offensive Lineman over the next 2 seasons.

Passing stats

Nickname

DiMartino was given the nickname "Razor" by teammates and "Red Bull" by others close to the team

Where is he now

DiMartino now calls Southern Ontario home with his wife and son.