A long-time resident of Oakville, Michael Clemons has made a name for himself as one of the CFL’s most famous players.
His incredible career began in 1987, when Clemons joined the Kansas City Chiefs. During this season, he played in eight games a punt returner, where he collected 19 returns for 162 yards. The following year, he tried out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but was cut during training camp. Undaunted, Clemons turned to Canada and the Toronto Argonauts.
In 1990, Clemons was recognized as the CFL’s most outstanding player after setting a single season record for all purpose yards (3,300). The following year, Clemons won his very first championship, as the Argos defeated Calgary to win the Grey Cup. Clemons would go on to win two more Grey Cups with the Argos.
Clemons became known affectionately as “Pinball,” a name given to him by guest running backs coach Tom Cudney. Cudney noted that this was because of his peculiar running style: his diminutive size allowed him to bounce between players like a pinball in a machine.
In 1997, Michael surpassed his single season all purpose yards record with 3,840 yards. During his 12-year playing career with the Argonauts, he set many more career team records, including pass receptions (682), punt returns (610), punt return yards (6,025), punt return touchdowns (8), kick-off returns (300), and kick-off return yards (6,349). By the end of his career, he had amassed a 25,438 total combined yards during the regular season—a CFL record.
In September of 2000, Clemons became head coach of the Argos. In November of 2001, he was promoted to President, and in 2003, he returned as head coach. His #31 jersey is one of only four that have been retired by the Argos.
Clemons was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2008, the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2009, and the Oakville Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
