Michael “Pinball” Clemons

Class of 2008

Michael Clemons signed as a free agent with the Toronto Argonauts in June 1989. In his first game as an Argonaut, Clemons was named player-of-the-game with two kickoff returns for 62 yards and five punt returns for 46 yards.

His coach, Bob O’Billovich, started calling his dynamic running back and returner “Pinball” because of his knack for bouncing off would-be tacklers. In 1997 he amassed 3,840 combined yards.

In 1999 he passed the 5,000 yard mark in four separate categories: rushing (5,341), receiving (7,015), kick off returns (6,349), and punt returns (6,025) – the only person in pro-football to do this. At the time of his retirement in 2000, he held the pro-football record for most combined yards in season with 3,840 and most career combined yards with 25,438.

After a phenomenal career, Pinball retired in 2000 and immediately stepped into the head coaching position which he held until November, 2001. After a brief period as the club’s president, clemons again took over the head coaching job from 2002 – 2007. He has also served as the chief executive officer of the Toronto Argonauts.

Playing Career

Toronto Argonauts
1989 - 2000

Awards/Honours

  • CFL Most Outstanding Player
    1990
  • All-Eastern Special Teams
    1990, 1993, 1994, 1997
  • All-Canadian Special Teams
    1990, 1997
  • Tom Pate Award
    1993, 1996
  • Order of Ontario
    2001
  • Grey Cup Participation
    1991, 1996, 1997
  • Grey Cup Participation (as a Coach)
    2004
  • Grey Cup Winning Teams
    1991, 1996, 1997
  • Grey Cup Winning Teams (as a Coach)
    2004