Former Argos star Stillwagon pleads not guilty in suspected road rage shooting

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Former Toronto Argonauts star Jim Stillwagon has pleaded not guilty in the shooting of another driver during a road rage incident last year.

Prosecutors say the 63-year-old Stillwagon pleaded not guilty Monday to four felonious assault counts in Delaware County, near Columbus. A hearing to set a trial date is scheduled April 8.

Police say Stillwagon was on board his motorcycle when he got into a dispute with a pickup truck driver on Sept. 30. Investigators say the confrontation spanned 14 miles and ended in a parking lot where one bullet grazed the alleged victim’s head.

Stillwagon was legally carrying the gun. A defence lawyer said today he considers Stillwagon’s actions “legally justified.”

The college Hall of Fame lineman helped the Ohio State Buckeyes to a national championship in 1968.

A first-round pick of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers in 1971, Stillwagon opted for Toronto and the CFL. He played five seasons with the Argos (1971-75) and was a three-time league all-star.

On Sept. 11, 2009, Stillwagon was added to the Argos’ all-time team.