The Defending Grey Cup Champion Toronto Argonauts announced today that the football club has extended the contract of General Manager Michael “Pinball” Clemons. The legendary CFL figure will continue to lead the league’s most successful and historic franchise.
Throughout the 2023 CFL season, where the 11-1 Argonauts currently sport the team’s best starting record in its 150-year history. The Double Blue continues to keep key members of their championship band together for the foreseeable future.
In recent times, the Argos have re-upped superstar players like quarterback Chad Kelly and offensive lineman Peter Nicastro. As well as extending the contracts of head coach Ryan Dinwiddie and special teams coordinator Mickey Donovan.
Michael “Pinball” Clemons is a legendary figure in the CFL. He has been a championship figure on the field, off and behind the scenes. He has been one of the league’s true champions and ambassadors.
Clemons has turned around the current Toronto Argonauts, who experienced some turbulent times prior to his return to the club.
The CFL Hall Of Famer “Pinball,” as he is affectionately known, has spent over 30+ years with the Argonauts organization, including as a head coach, president, chief executive officer, vice-chair, and player.
He has won three Grey Cups as a player, one as a head coach in 2004, two more as an executive, and his seventh trophy as a first-time general manager. Clemons has never lost a Grey Cup in any of his roles.
Since his return to the Double Blue in the fall of 2019. He has led the Argonauts to a Grey Cup championship victory in 2022, three consecutive East Division regular-season titles, and the best start in Argonauts history at 11-1 this season. Pinball took over a Double Blue team that had won a total of eight games in two seasons and helped turn it into a perennial championship contender.
His head coaching hire of the brilliant Ryan Dinwiddie has set the Boatmen up for continued success. Clemons’ ability as a recruiter has helped Toronto land some of the most coveted free-agent players. Toronto’s team building under Clemons extends to a brilliant scouting department headed by Vince Magri.
Pinball is the face of the Argos franchise and the leader who continues to pave the way by setting a high standard for the historic franchise to meet. Pinball builds bridges and winners. The Toronto Argonauts will continue to build with him.
“If what you did yesterday still sounds good to you today, then you haven’t done much today.” So what we’re here to do is to vy for the 2023 Grey Cup championship.”
Argos GM Michael Clemons To The Toronto Argonauts crowd at team’s 2023 Championship Banner Unveiling Opening Game
TORONTO ARGONAUTS EXTEND THE CONTRACT OF GENERAL MANAGER MICHAEL “PINBALL” CLEMONS
TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announced today the team has extended the contract of General Manager Michael “Pinball” Clemons.
Clemons was named the 20th general manager in Argonauts history in October 2019. Since then, he’s led the Argonauts to a Grey Cup championship victory in 2022, three consecutive East Division regular-season titles, and the best start in Argonauts history at 11-1 this season. The Canadian Football Hall of Famer took over a Double Blue team that had won a total of eight games in two seasons and helped turn it into a nine-win team in 2021 (14-game season), an 11-win team in 2022, and an 11-win team in 2023 through just 12 games.
“Pinball” as he is affectionately known, has served in various capacities over his 30+ years with the 150-year-old organization, including head coach, president, chief executive officer, vice-chair, and player. He would win three Grey Cups as a player in 1991, 1996, and 1997, one as a head coach in 2004, two more as an executive in 2012 and 2017, and his seventh last season as a first-time general manager. Clemons has never lost a Grey Cup he has been a part of in any capacity. The Florida native was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. His number 31 is one of just four Argonaut numbers to be retired. As accomplished off the field as he was on, the fan favourite and forever-smiling Clemons is one of the most decorated figures in the history of the Canadian Football League.
“What can I say about Pinball Clemons that hasn’t already been said,” said Argos President Bill Manning. “He has known tremendous success with the Argos, first as one of the greatest CFL players of all-time, then as a Grey Cup winning coach, and now a Grey Cup winning general manager. When Pinball took over as general manager in late 2019, he talked about building bridges, and he has done just that, creating unity throughout the organization that is the foundation of our success. Pinball is also a great human and someone who I am blessed to work with and hold in the highest regard. This extension is well deserved, and our future is very bright with Pinball leading the way.”
David Tress
September 21, 2023 at 12:46 pm
Pinball has been having a lot of success and the Argos have been dishing out a lot of contract extensions, which begs the question? Do they pay any attention to the salary cap? Probably not, not at least MLSE. The other teams in the CFL should perhaps spend a little more to offset what is taking place in Toronto.