Chris Flynn is the only player ever to win three MVP Hec Crighton Awards as the top university player in Canada. From 1987, as a highly recruited prospect from Buckingham, Quebec, to 1990, Flynn was one of the most dynamic players ever in university football and led the Saint Mary’s University Huskies to a 27-2 regular season record over a four-year span.

During his four years at Saint Mary’s, Flynn certainly made a difference for the Huskies, helping them win four AUAA championships and two Atlantic Bowl championships against Bishops and Western. SMU had a losing record from 1974-1987, and Flynn helped turn Huskies football into a winning program.

His individual statistics were also off the chart: four-time AUAA all-star quarterback, three-time All-Canadian, and the CIAU record for most TD passes in a career87 (passing his coach Bill Robinson’s record and establishing himself as the leading quarterback rusher in CIAU history). A love for the game, a contagious drive to win, work ethic and charisma were just a few of the key qualities that made Flynn so special.

Flynn’s dynamic playing brought St. Mary’s University and CIAU football into the spotlight, with national television coverage and stands packed with 10,000 fans. After being recruited by coach Larry Uteck, Flynn was unstoppable even in his rookie season. He led the team to its first AUAA conference win in 13 years. He then dominated the field for three more Atlantic titles, propelling the Huskies to two national semi-finals (Atlantic Bowls) and two appearances in the Vanier Cup finals.

In 1988, Flynn had to sit out the national championship game due to a fractured skull. It was the only game he missed in ten years.
Flynn’s football stardom had grown to historic levels by the 1990 Atlantic Bowl when he led a dramatic 90-yard march against the University of Western Ontario in the final minute. He threw a last-second winning touchdown to Anthony Williams in front of 11,000 hometown fans and a national television audiencea moment that will always be remembered in Nova Scotia football history. This incredible comeback occurred when Western led 30-25 with a little over a minute remaining. Flynn passed for the winning touchdown with his separated right shoulder frozen in order to play. He still holds the records for the top two single-season performances in CIAU history for passing touchdowns (30 in 1989, and 27 in 1990).

Although he will be remembered for his individual talent, Flynn was always a team player. He was known to encourage all the players, and other student athletes outside of football, to join him in his training. In addition to his dedication to physical fitness, Flynn also had a sharp mind for the game and was excellent at calling plays.

Even with his god-like status on the football field and his induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, Flynn, who later played two seasons with the Montreal Machine of NFL Europe, one season with the Ottawa Rough Riders and four seasons in France, has maintained a down-to-earth attitude. After returning to the Huskies in 1997 as an assistant coach, Flynn moved to Mayo, Quebec where he is an active part of organizing sport in his community.