Toronto Argonauts
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Argos_logo.png
Toronto Argonauts logo
The Toronto Argonauts are a Canadian Football League team based in Toronto, Ontario.
- Founded: 1873
- Home stadium: Rogers Centre formerly SkyDome (1989-current), Toronto, Ontario
- Former stadiums: Varsity Stadium (1926-1958), Exhibition Stadium (1959-1988)
- Uniform colours: Oxford blue, Cambridge blue, and white
- Helmet design: Blue and silver round shield inscribed with the letter "A".
- Eastern regular season championships: 13 -- 1936, 1937, 1945, 1960, 1971, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1996, 1997
- Grey Cup finals appearances: 21 -- 1911 (lost), 1912 (lost), 1914 (won), 1920 (lost) 1921 (won), 1933 (won), 1937 (won), 1938 (won), 1945 (won), 1946 (won), 1947 (won), 1950 (won), 1952 (won), 1971 (lost), 1982 (lost) 1983 (won), 1987 (lost), 1991 (won), 1996 (won), 1997 (won), 2004 (won).
- 2005 Regular Season Record: 0 wins, 0 loses, 0 ties.
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Franchise history
The Toronto Argonauts were founded back in 1873 by the Toronto Argonaut Rowing Club. At the time the most renowned rowers in the world were the teams from Oxford University and Cambridge University in England, and the Toronto rowers adopted uniforms incorporating the two shades of blue used by the English schools. When the Argonauts expanded into football, the "double blue" uniform was used by the football team as well, starting the tradition that almost all top-level Toronto sport teams wear blue. The team is often nicknamed the "Boatmen".
The Argonauts have won the Grey Cup more times than any other team, 15 times, which is the 4th most in North American professional sports, behind the New York Yankees (baseball, 26 championships), the Montreal Canadiens (hockey, 24 championships) and the Boston Celtics (basketball, 16 championships). However, it is also the holder of the record Grey Cup drought - an astounding 31 years between Grey Cup wins in 1952 and 1983.
The current coach of the Argonauts is Michael "Pinball" Clemons.
In November 2004 it was announced that a new stadium for the Argos is to be built on the campus of York University by 2007. This follows the failure of an earlier plan to build a new facility at the site of Varsity Stadium at the University of Toronto. If the move is completed it will mark a move by the Argonauts from downtown Toronto where they have played since their inception to the suburbs. One plan to make the suburban location attractive to fans is to import the American tradition of tailgating parties in the parking lot before the game. The Argos' move to York is also expected to increase pressure on the provincial and city governments to finance an extension of the subway to the university.
However, in April 2005, the Argonauts announced their plans to move to York University had been changed as the up-front costs payable by the team to build the stadium had risen, and the owners of the Rogers Centre announced that the Argos would be able to remain at the stadium rent-free (prior to this, the Argos were paying the highest rental fees in the league). The team officially announced they would remain at Rogers Centre on May 2, 2005; soon afterward, the University officially canceled the stadium plans.
On November 21, 2004, the Toronto Argonauts defeated the B.C. Lions 27-19 in the 92nd Grey Cup to end a seven year championship drought. Head coach Pinball Clemons became the first Black coach to win the Grey Cup.
Players of note
Canadian Football Hall of Famers
- Ab Box
- Joseph Breen
- Lionel "The Big Train" Conacher
- Royal Copeland
- Jim Corrigall
- Terry Evanshen
- A. H. "Cap" Fear
- Joe "King" Krol
- Smirle Lawson
- Marv Luster
- Ted Morris
- Dave Raimey
- Ted "The Moaner" Reeve
- Michael J. Rodden
- Dick Shatto
- Bill Symons
- Dave Thelen
- William Zock
Retired numbers
- 22 Dick Shatto
- 31 Michael "Pinball" Clemons
- 55 Joe Krol
- 60 Danny Nykoluk
All-Time Argos
As Honoured by the team. Name banners hang on rafters at Rogers Centre.
- 55 Joe Krol - Inducted July 1996
- 22 Dick Shatto - Inducted July 1996
- 60 Danny Nykoluk - Inducted July 1996
- 33 Bill Symons - Inducted October 1996
- 10 Terry Greer - Inducted October 1996
- 77 Royal Copeland - Inducted September 1997
- 79 Jim Corrigall - Inducted September 1997
- 67 Teddy Morris - Inducted July 1998
- 27 Marv Luster - Inducted July 1998
- 7 Condredge Holloway - Inducted July 1998
- 88 Paul Masotti - Inducted July 2000
- 31 Michael "Pinball" Clemons - Inducted September 2000
Current stars
- 1 Noel Prefontaine, kicker
- 2 Michael Fletcher, linebacker
- 3 Andre Rison, wide receiver
- 5 Arland Bruce III, wide receiver
- 7 Michael Bishop, quarterback
- 9 Damon Allen, quarterback
- 10 Antonious Bonner, linebacker
- 12 Adrion Smith, cornerback
- 13 Clifford Ivory, defensive back
- 15 Tony Miles, wide receiver
- 20 John Avery, running back
- 21 Orlondo Steinauer, safety
- 23 Bashir Levingston, wide receiver
- 26 Jordan Younger, cornerback
- 30 Kenny Wheaton, defensive back
- 35 Kevin Eiben, linebacker
- 50 Mike O'Shea, linebacker
- 88 Robert Baker, wide receiver
- 92 Noah Cantor, defensive tackle
- 95 Eric England, defensive end
- 97 Jonathon Brown, defensive end
Not to be forgotten
- Michael "Pinball" Clemons
- Doug Flutie
- Paul Masotti
- Derrell "Mookie" Mitchell
- Mike Vanderjagt
External links
- Toronto Argonauts official site (http://www.argonauts.ca/)
- Toronto Argonauts Fan site (http://www.argofans.com/)