Ron Clinkscale

Ronald William Clinkscale (October 22, 1933 – July 10, 2024) was an American professional football player who played four seasons in the Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU) with the BC Lions and Calgary Stampeders. He played college football for the TCU Horned Frogs.

Early life and college Ronald William Clinkscale was born on October 22, 1933, in Amarillo, Texas.

Professional career On January 3, 1955, nearly a month before the 1955 NFL draft, Clinkscale signed with the BC Lions of the Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU). The Lions finished the season with a 5–11 record. Clinkscale played in one game for the Lions in 1956, rushing three times for 26 yards, catching one pass for 16 yards, returning one kickoff for 39 yards, and returning two punts for 12 yards.

Clinkscale was signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the WIFU on September 5, 1956. He dressed in 12 games for the Stampeders during the 1956 season, totaling 52 carries for 210 yards, 15 catches for 182 yards and one touchdown, four of ten passes for 41 yards and one interception, four kickoff returns for 88 yards, one punt return for nine yards, and two defensive interceptions. Clinkscale dressed in 15 games in 1957, recording 21 rushes for 105 yards and four touchdowns, 13 completions on 26 pass attempts for 200 yards and two interceptions, two catches for 38 yards, five kickoff returns for 119 yards, and three defensive interceptions. He dressed in all 15 games for the second straight season in 1958 (the first year of the modern Canadian Football League), totaling 57 rushing attempts for 155 yards and one touchdown, 12 receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown, ten of 25 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions, five kickoff returns for 110 yards, three punt returns for 12 yards, and two defensive interceptions.

Personal life Clinkscale worked as an accountant during the WIFU offseasons. He was inducted into the TCU Lettermen’s Association Hall of Fame in 1986.