| 1979 Hamilton Tiger-Cats season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | John Payne |
| Home field | Ivor Wynne Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 6–10 |
| Division place | 3rd, East |
| Playoff finish | Lost Eastern Semi-Final |
| Team MOP | Tom Clements |
| Team MOC | Leif Pettersen |
| Team MOR | Jim Reid |
The 1979 Hamilton Tiger-Cats season was the 22nd season for the team in the Canadian Football League and their 30th overall. The Tiger-Cats finished in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 6–10 record, but lost the Eastern Semi-Final to the Ottawa Rough Riders.
Star quarterback Tom Clements was acquired from the Saskatchewan Roughriders in a mid-season trade and went on to lead the league in passing.[1] Additionally, University of Western Ontario quarterback Jamie Bone attended Tiger-Cats training camp but was cut. He took the Tiger-Cats to the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, alleging that he was never given a fair chance to compete for a quarterback position because he was Canadian.[2] During the proceedings, the Tiger Cats admitted that they had made up their mind on who the starters would be. Bone won his case, and the tribunal awarded him $10,000.[2] The Tiger-Cats were awarded to give him a 14-day tryout in 1980.