Tim Tindale

Timothy Scott Tindale (born April 15, 1971 in London, Ontario, Canada) is a former American football running back for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He played CIS football in Canada at the University of Western Ontario.

Western Mustangs
Tim Tindale was an all-star fullback with the University of Western Ontario Mustangs from 1990 to 1994. After dominating the CIS, he graduated with a degree in kinesiology. While in High School at Saunders Secondary School, he said he never intended to play pro football, but instead wanted to be a doctor. Tim won 2 Hec Crighton trophies, which is awarded to the CIS Football player of the year. Many say that if he hadn't fractured his leg in 1992, he would've gotten a third.

NFL
In 1994, after graduating from the kinesiology program, Tindale tried out for the Buffalo Bills as a free agent and made the squad. "It was an unbelievable life experience," he said. Tim remembers his first NFL game, saying he's never seen so many people for an exhibition game. "70,000 people came just to see some guys try out for a team."

With rumours of the treatment of Canadian players in the NFL filtering through fans and players alike, Tindale had the inside scoop and his pleasant experience contradicted the stereotypes. "On my first day of mini-camp, [Buffalo Bills coach ] Marv Levy came up to me and knew my name and all my stats. He was the head coach and he knew everything about me."

His Western coach, Larry Haylor, said he remembers watching Tindale's first NFL touchdown while on vacation. "We were huddled around a 7-inch TV screen. Tim broke a run for 44 yards and my wife and I were jumping up and down, cheering and screaming. People came storming into our room to see what was wrong." Haylor also said "I always said Tim would be the guy I would pick first if I had to choose a team. At 5'11", 220 [pounds], he had very unique talents. He's one of those guys who will give you his soul in effort."

Retirement
Due to injuries, Tim had to retire from the NFL after only 3 seasons, all with the Buffalo Bills.