NO SURPRISE: PINBALL’S CREW IS BACK IN THE DANCE

By: Stephen Lylyk, RP Show Intern

Canadian Football Hall of Fame Running Back Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons. A man whom CFL.ca described in a 2020 piece as “a legend of the sport up north, whose energy and enthusiasm lights up any room he’s in.”  

Though small in stature, Clemons more than made up for it with his charisma, and success on the football field. 

Clemons had a great football career, both as a player and coach. 

 As a player, Clemons’ record-breaking career saw him become the first in league history to accumulate 5000 yards in 4 different categories, (Rushing, Receiving, Kickoff and Punt Returns). 

Accolades would follow Clemons as well as he was the 1990 CFL Most Outstanding player, to go along with winning three Grey Cups as a player on the Toronto Argonauts (1989-2000).

As a Head Coach, Clemons tenure was also successful, leading the Toronto Argonauts to six straight East Division finals from 2002-2007. In 2004 he won his fourth Grey Cup as the Argonauts defeated the BC Lions in Ottawa.  

Fast forward to 2022 and Clemons is looking to add another chapter to his lengthy story as General manager of the Toronto Argonauts, one of the finalists in Grey Cup 109. They will oppose the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina for the CFL championship.

In a Grey Cup Week interview with CBC’s Adam Hunter Clemons revealed that he told ownership upon taking the job as General Manager in 2019 that the team could reach the grey cup “in three years”.  

“Clemons said,” wrote Hunter, “to get the Argos back to the CFL’s summit, revolved around recruiting players who had been to the championship game before.” 

One of the players Clemons targeted prior to the 2022 season was then Hamilton Tiger-Cat receiver Brandon Banks. Banks during a Grey cup week interview, emphasized the importance Clemons had in Banks joining Toronto  

“He is the reason I’m here,” said Banks. “Pinball is everything to me. He made the transition from Hamilton to Toronto smoother, and we are trying to reward him by giving him a grey cup.”  

During his appearance on Thursday’s Rod Pedersen Show at Ballers Rec Room during Grey Cup Week, Clemons discussed his team’s philosophy.

“People are important to us,” explained Clemons. “Football is a great game, but a terrible business. We have to make tough decisions yes, but we still try to understand that relationships are the most important thing.”  

While reminiscing on the process that led to Sunday’s Grey Cup appearance Clemons, showed his appreciation to his front office team.

“First, Vince Magri has done a phenomenal job,” exclaims Clemons. “As assistant General manager, in terms of surveying talent, he’s just so good! Jim Barker (Senior Advisor) is an experienced guy, we’re happy to have back on our team! Alex Russell (Director of Football Operations) is another talent on this staff that does such a great job.” 

Another guy who’s hard work Clemons has admired through these past few seasons is Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie .

“During the pandemic year that we lost,” says Clemons, “Ryan was in the office every day, putting the time in. Then he lost a portion of his staff in the middle of last year, because of the pandemic and was able to work through that, to finish in first, and first again this year.”  

Looking ahead to Sunday’s Grey Cup, Clemons understands the challenge ahead for his Argonauts in the two-time defending champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  

“That’s a good team we’re playing over there,” said Clemons. “They’ve won the grey cup two years in a row. They’ve had the best record in the league the last two years. 

 (The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+ TV and WQEE. Call your cable provider to subscribe. You can also watch on YouTube Live or listen 24/7 at RodPedersen.com/ListenLive)