News Archive

 

Webb to be recognized at Thursday’s game

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Danny Webb

(Aug. 19, 2024) Longtime Argo equipment manager Danny Webb will be recognized at Thursday night’s game at BMO Field. The Argos host Saskatchewan Roughriders at 7:30 p.m. The unassuming Webb has been in his position for 40 years and has long been regarded as the best in the business.

 

(May 26, 2023) At the 150th season kickoff at the historic Argonaut Rowing Club, Damon Allen and Derrell (Mookie) Mitchell were named to the All Time Argo list.

News conference photo gallery

150th Anniversary of the Argos

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The Argos of 1906

(April 3, 2023) This CFL season will be the 150th season for the Toronto Argonauts.

The Argonauts date all the way back to 1873 and will celebrate the team’s great history in 2023 all season long.

Founded in 1873, the team is the oldest existing professional sports team in North America still using its original name, as well as the oldest-surviving team in both the modern-day CFL and East Division. 

The team’s origins date back to a modified version of rugby football that emerged in North America in the latter half of the 19th century.  September 1873, the Argonaut Rowing Club formed the Argonaut Rugby Football Club to keep rowers in shape during bad weather and played its first game against the University of Toronto on October 4, 1873.  Eventually sold to a syndicate in 1957, but not before winning 10 Grey Cups.

 The Argos will have a lot to celebrate in 2023 as the reigning champions look to defend their Grey Cup title in the team’s 150th year and the team’s great history in 2023 all season long. We will be featuring a selection of notable events throughout the season on this site.

He was an Argo: John Harvey

(June 12, 2024) The association is saddened to learn of the passing of Argo alumnus John Harvey, a running back. John passed away May 30 at the age of 74, in Austin, Texas.

Despite being recruited to play at the University of Texas, John instead played for Texas-Arlington before going pro. He burst into the CFL with Montreal in 1973. Rushing for 1024 yards, with an incredible 7.5 yards per rush average and 32 pass receptions, he was an all-star and won the Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy, as the most outstanding player in the Eastern Conference.

He jumped to the World Football League in 1974, playing two seasons with the Memphis Southmen. In his first season, he rushed for 945 yards, caught 21 passes for 275 yards, scored 5 touchdowns, and threw 3 passes (one for a touchdown.) In 1975, rushing behind future NFL Hall-of-Famer Larry Csonka, he gained 137 yards, caught 8 passes for 107 yards, scored 4 touchdowns, and threw 2 passes (1 for a touchdown.) In the short history of the WFL he was 13th on the all-time rushing list, with 1082 yards.

When the WFL folded, he returned to the CFL, playing 10 games for the Argos in 1976 (rushing for 68 yards, catching 26 passes for 459 yards, and 5 touchdowns) and 1 game for Hamilton in 1977.

He was an Argo: Dave Pivec

(May 22, 2024) The association is saddened to learn of the passing of Argonauts alumnus Dave Pivec.

Dave, a Baltimore native, was a tight end in the NFL and the American Football League who played for the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

He also played with the Argos (1964-65) and Ottawa Rough Riders. He was 80.

James Yurichuk’s Wuxly and Sony Pictures Consumer Products Collaborate for Sustainable Outerwear Collection

(April 26, 2024) Earlier this week Wuxly, in collaboration with Sony Pictures Consumer Products, proudly announced a limited-edition Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire capsule collection that seamlessly blends style and sustainability.

Fans of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire can shop the look directly off the silver screen. Wuxly is the home to the signature red parkas sported by the movie cast. The collection also includes caps, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies that evoke the ghost-busting lifestyle on and off-screen.

As a brand committed to animal-free alternatives and ethical fashion, Wuxly brings forth a capsule collection designed for conscious consumers seeking warmth without compromise. The collaboration emphasizes sustainable practices and plant-based elegance.

Full story

What a game!

The Toronto Argonauts edged the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24-23 on Sunday, marking the team’s seventh straight Grey Cup victory in recent championship games. Henoc Muamba was named both Grey Cup MVP and Most Outstanding Canadian.

Grey Cup recap at TSN.ca

 

Off to the Grey Cup!

The Argonauts beat the Montreal Alouettes 34-27 yesterday in the Eastern Division Final to earn a trip to Regina for Sunday’s Grey Cup! Kickoff is 6 p.m. Eastern.

Black Bull Tavern Toronto closing after nearly 200 years

An historic downtown Toronto bar is closing its doors this week after nearly 200 years in business.

The Black Bull Tavern, located in the heart of Toronto’s downtown at 298 Queen Street West, has been serving pints to a range of patrons, from punk rockers to condo dwellers, since 1833.

Bobby Taylor, the former Argo, bought The Black Bull in 1975 and ran it up until he died of cancer last year.

Hogan: Argo Alumni excited about 2023 season

(May 10, 2023 by Mike Hogan, argonauts.ca) It was a Double Blue version of Field of Dreams.

Legends from bygone days of the Toronto Argonauts recently gathered for their annual alumni association reunion at BMO Field, joined by a handful of players and coaches from the current team.

Bill Symons and Doyle Orange – the team’s first two 1,000-yard rushers – were both there. Placekicker Lance Chomyc – the leading scorer in Argo history – was spotted chatting with Boris Bede, the man who currently plays his old position.

More at argonauts.ca

Chris Schultz: Hall of Famer

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is photo_004324_AC1E00E5078650EACEpx42B924C5_1_20210309.jpg(March 16, 2023) It has been announced that Chris Schultz will be one of the inductees into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame media wing as a member of the 2023 class.

Chris Schultz played left tackle for the Dallas Cowboys from 1983-86 and then nine seasons with the Toronto Argonauts, winning a Grey Cup in 1991. He was a two-time CFL all-star and was selected to the Argos’ all-time team in 2007.

After his playing career, Chris became a popular television and radio football analyst with TSN and The FAN 590.

https://www.argonauts.ca/2023/03/16/all-time-argo-chris-schultz-to-be-inducted-into-media-wing-of-canadian-football-hall-of-fame/

Golf Fun Day 2022

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Argo Alumnus John Pointer: Author

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After retiring from professional football (as a linebacker from 1981-87, with the Argonauts in 1982), John positioned himself to become a thriving entrepreneur, especially in the petroleum business. In less than three years, he rose to become a Congressionally Acclaimed Top Rated Minority Businessman. Nonetheless, he began noticing indifferent actions from the US Small Business Administration’s certified investor who funded John’s company. After denials from government officials in John’s home state of Tennessee, he contacted an attorney for Vice President Al Gore who was motivated and enforced actions to occur through the SBA’s Office of Inspector General. This start began an over three-decade series of activism that John has put into action regarding the stoppage of billions of government-funded programs designed to aid and assist women, minorities, military veterans, and disabled veterans. On different occasions, John has been invited to Washington, DC to testify in which both Congressmen and Senators have proclaimed that he is “An American Hero, A True Patriot, and an Expert in the Minority Small Business Development Programs. And during Covid Pandemic, he assisted Former NFL Players with their Minority Small Businesses. In spite of John’s decades of being a sole activist, both he and his wife, Vicki helped to raise their family and they now enjoy their grandchildren.

To purchase the book from Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unprecedented-challenges-john-pointer/1141664656

 

Ricky Ray and Dick Thornton selected for induction

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is HOF_Logo_1-281x300-2.pngHAMILTON (June 21, 2022) – Five iconic players and three legendary builders will join the hallowed halls of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame (CFHOF) and Museum in the Class of 2022.

Quarterback Ricky Ray and linebacker Chip Cox are first-ballot Hall of Famers. Ray memorably led the Argonauts at QB for seven seasons from 2021-18, and two Grey Cup championships in 2012 and 2017 before a neck injury in the 2018 season opener ended his illustrious career.

Thornton, as a two-way great who played for the Argos from 1967-72. A huge fan favourite, “Tricky” Dick Thornton was a dynamic and charismatic two-way player, playing defensive back and wide receiver. A two-time Grey Cup Champion and three-time CFL All-Star, Thornton won both his Grey Cups with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, playing in the infamous “Fog Bowl”. He passed in 2014 while living in the Philippines.

Ray and Cox will be joined in the Player category by kicker Paul McCallum, fullback Tim Tindale, and Dick Thornton who played on both sides of the ball. To be inducted in the Builder category will be former CFL head coach Dave Ritchie, Calgary Colts founder and former general manager Keith Evans, and long-time CFL team executive, Roy Shivers.

“The Canadian Football Hall of Fame is honoured to welcome this year’s incredible class,” said Greg Dick, Interim CFHOF Executive Director. “Their accomplishments on and off the field serve as tremendous inspiration to everyone who loves Canadian football. To the selection committee, thank you for your time and dedication to shining the spotlight on these amazing individuals and their outstanding careers.”

The members of the Class of 2022 will be officially inducted on the evening of September 16 at Tim Hortons Field, and they will also be honoured on the following day at halftime of the Hall of Game with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers set to visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a rematch of the 2021 Grey Cup championship. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. ET. Tickets to the game are available for purchase here.

The Media wing of the CFHOF will also welcome two new members – Glen Suitor and Ed Willes – in recognition of their distinguished service in providing coverage of Canadian football. They will be honoured at the Football Reporters of Canada’s annual brunch during Grey Cup Week in Regina.

The Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum, located on the fourth floor of Tim Hortons Field, operates as a non-profit registered charity. Located in Hamilton, Ont., since 1963, it is home to more than 80,000 Canadian football artifacts, ranging from equipment and trophies to photos and videos, spanning the rich history of the game.

2004 Grey Cup added to games available on demand

(April 9, 2021 – cfl.ca) Damon Allen was named as the game’s MVP as the Argonuats beat the B.C. Lions 27-19 in the 9snd Grey Cup at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa.The Tragically Hip performed at halftime. You can relive the game by clicking on the 2004 Grey Cup link below.

The Grey Cup On Demand Portal powered by Mark’s is a new one-stop platform that will allow fans to watch Grey Cup games on demand for free on CFL.ca. 65 Grey Cup games will be available from the 1940’s to the 107th Grey Cup in Calgary. Below are the games involving the Argonauts that have been released so far:

1946 – Winnipeg vs. Toronto at Varsity Stadium
1950 – Toronto vs. Winnipeg at Varsity Stadium
1952 – Toronto vs. Edmonton at Varsity Stadium
1971 – Calgary vs. Toronto at Empire Stadium
1982 – Edmonton vs. Toronto at Exhibition Stadium
1983 – Toronto vs. B.C. at B.C. Place Stadium
1987 – Edmonton vs. Toronto at B.C. Place Stadium
1991 – Toronto vs. Calgary at Winnipeg Stadium
1996 – Toronto vs. Edmonton at Ivor Wynne Stadium
1997 – Toronto vs. Saskatchewan at Commonwealth Stadium
2004 – Toronto vs. B.C. at Frank Clair Stadium
2012 – Calgary vs. Toronto at Rogers Centre
2017 – Toronto vs. Calgary at TD Place Stadium
View all games on Grey Cup On Demand

He was an Argo: Rich Stubler

(Aug. 27, 2023) The Association is saddened to learn about the passing of longtime CFL defensive coach Rich Stubler was an American football coach. He was most recently an assistant coach for the Argonauts in 2021. He is a five-time Grey Cup champion, all as a defensive coordinator, and was formerly the head coach of the Argonauts in 2008. He had been coaching since the 1970s and coached at the high school level, NCAA, Arena Football League and the CFL. 

Rich Stubler passed away earlier today. He was 74.

He was an Argo: Bobby Taylor

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is TAYLOR-1.png(Aug. 7, 2023) The Association is saddened to learn about the passing of Argo great Bobby Taylor on Sunday. He was 84.

Bobby was a receiver who played for the Argos (1966-70, 1974) Calgary Stampeders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Edmonton Eskimos. He attended Clarkson University from 1961-1962.

In his fourteen-year career he caught 521 receptions for a total of 8,203 yards and 50 touchdowns. Taylor’s 56 catches led the CFL in 1968.

Taylor was Toronto’s nominee for Most Outstanding Canadian player in 1968 and 1969.

Taylor played minor league hockey, as well, from 1962 to 1970 in the EHL, WHL, AHL, and CPHL.

Bobby Taylor obituary at thestar.com

He was an Argo: Zenon Andrusyshyn

(Aug. 7, 2023) The alumni association is saddened to learn of the passing of Zenon Andrusyshyn, as confirmed by his family this afternoon. He was 76.

 Zenon was both punter and kicker from in the CFL between 1971-86, primarily for the Argonauts (1971-77, 1980-82) and short stops with Hamilton (1979), Edmonton (1982) and Montreal (1986). He also was a member of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys (1970) and Kansas City Chiefs (1978) as well as the Tampa Bay Bandits (1983-85) in the United States Football League (USFL). He played college football at UCLA.

Memorial services are pending.

(July 27, 2023) The alumni association is saddened to learn of the May 29 passing of Chip Barrett at the age of 78 in White Rock, BC.

 Chip attended Upper Canada College and the University of British Columbia, where he studied architecture while playing football for the UBC Thunderbirds. He was a first-round draft pick of the CFL in 1967 and played defensive back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1967-1968) and the Argos (1970-1972).

Chip will be missed by his family and friends.

Chip Barrett obituary at legacy.com

(July 21, 2023) The alumni association is saddened to learn of the July 2 passing of Paul Fedor.

Fedor was a standout at Queen’s University and an All-Star at defensive end in 1957.  Paul was the first-round draft pick for the Argos in 1958 and went on to play three seasons for the Argonauts (1958-1960).  In 1961, Fedor was traded to Montreal, where he played two seasons with the Alouettes (1960-61).

Fedor passed away from complications due to Parkinsons July 2.

 Paul will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Paul Fedor obituary

(July 17, 2023) The alumni association is saddened to learn of the passing of CR Roberts who toiled in the Argos offensive backfield in 1957-58.

In 1958, he was an import fullback who played in the best all-round backfield in the CFL along with Dick Shatto and rookie, Dave Mann.  After that, Roberts played with the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL from 1959-1962. 

Roberts passed away from natural causes July 13. He was 87.

He is survived by daughters Cathy Creasia and Chandra Roberts, son Craig and four grandchildren. 

He was an Argo: Walt Balasiuk

(Sept. 14. 2022) The association is saddened to learn about the passing of Walt Balasiuk. Walt played with the Argos between 1965-70.

The funeral will be this Saturday, September.17. Visitation is at 10 am. Service begins at 11 am at the St. George Baptist Church, 25 Main St, Saint George, NB, E5C 3H9

The service will also be livestreamed on Facebook for those who can’t physically attend. A link will be created. Following the service, there will be a reception at the Church.

Obituary