Pinball Clemons facts for kids
Clemons with the Argonauts in 2023
|
|
| Toronto Argonauts | |
|---|---|
| Position: | General manager |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | January 15, 1965 Dunedin, Florida, U.S. |
| Height: | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Weight: | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Dunedin |
| College: | William & Mary |
| NFL Draft: | 1987 / Round: 8 / Pick: 218 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
|
|
| As coach: | |
As an administrator:
|
|
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
|
Canadian Football Hall of Fame
|
|
Michael Lutrell "Pinball" Clemons is a famous American-Canadian sports leader and former football player. He was born on January 15, 1965. Many people think he is one of the best and most well-known players for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is also one of the most popular athletes in Toronto's history.
Clemons played college football at the College of William & Mary. He then played for the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL for two years. In 1989, he joined the Toronto Argonauts. He played with them for twelve seasons, winning three Grey Cup championships. After he stopped playing, he became their head coach twice. Later, he became a sports leader for the team, winning five more Grey Cups. His jersey number, 31, is one of only four numbers that the Argonauts have retired.
| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Early Life and Family
Michael Clemons was born in Dunedin, Florida, on January 15, 1965. His mother, Anna Marie Bryant, was 18 when he was born. She had just finished high school. His father, Willie Clemons, lived an hour and a half away and was finishing university. He later became a teacher.
Clemons started playing football when he was 8 years old. He played with the Dunedin Golden Eagles, a youth team. He and his mother lived in public housing until he was 14. At that time, his mother married his stepfather. She also became the first African-American to get an administrative job for the City of Dunedin.
Clemons's mother was a big influence on him. She was a clerk at a Baptist church. Clemons and his family now go to the Meeting House in Oakville, Ontario. Clemons became closer to his father, Willie, during his college years. His father even came to watch him coach a game in Toronto in 2003.
College Football Career
Clemons played college football at the College of William and Mary. He was a running back and a return specialist for the football team. He also played varsity soccer for one year. During his four years in college football, he gained 4,778 all-purpose yards. He was named an All-American player.
Professional Football Journey
Becoming "Pinball"
The Kansas City Chiefs picked Clemons in the 1987 NFL draft. He played in eight games for them, mostly returning punts.
When Clemons joined the Toronto Argonauts in 1989, a coach gave him the nickname "Pinball." This was because of how he ran. He was small but had amazing balance. He would bounce between defensive players, just like a pinball bounces inside a pinball machine. When he made a great play at home games, the song "Pinball Wizard" would play.
Playing Achievements
In his first game with the Argonauts, Clemons was named the best player. In 1990, he set a record for all-purpose yards in a single season (3,300). He won his first Grey Cup in 1991 when the Argonauts beat the Calgary Stampeders. He won two more Grey Cups as a player in 1996 and 1997. In 1997, he broke his own record for all-purpose yards, getting 3,840 yards.
Clemons played his last game as an Argonaut on September 15, 2000. During his 12 years with the team, he set many team records. These included career pass receptions, punt return yards, and kickoff return yards. He also set a CFL record with 25,438 combined yards in the regular season.
Hall of Fame Recognition
In 2008, Clemons was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2016, he received the Order of Sport, which meant he was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
Coaching the Argonauts
After he stopped playing, Clemons became the interim head coach for the Toronto Argonauts in 2000. He took over when the previous coach resigned. Clemons was not sure about taking the job at first because he wanted to spend more time with his family. But he decided to do it because the team had given his family so much. As interim coach, he led the Argos to 6 wins in 8 games.
He became the official head coach at the end of that season. In November 2001, he became the President of the Argonauts. He stopped being head coach then. But in September 2002, he returned as interim head coach again. He officially became head coach again in December 2002 and stayed until 2007.
A Historic Win
In the 2004 CFL season, Clemons made history. He was the first black head coach to appear in and win a Grey Cup game. He became the first black head coach to win a professional football championship in North America. Clemons said that his team became like a family, and their success had little to do with the color of his skin.
Clemons has the second most head coaching wins in Argonauts history, with 67 wins. His record as a coach was 67 wins, 54 losses, and 1 tie in the regular season. He also had a 6-5 record in the playoffs, including winning one Grey Cup. His players sometimes called him "Pinner" when he was coaching.
Leading as a Sports Administrator
Clemons has held many important roles with the Toronto Argonauts. From 2001 to 2002, he was the team's President. In 2003, he was both the head coach and general manager.
On December 4, 2007, Clemons stepped down as head coach to become the team's new chief executive officer (CEO). In 2009, he became the vice-chair of the team. In this role, he helped with sales, community projects, and public relations.
On October 8, 2019, Clemons was named the new general manager of the team. He works closely with other team leaders to build the roster. As general manager, he has helped the Argonauts win two more Grey Cups in 2022 and 2024.
Life Outside of Football
Clemons is also a popular motivational speaker. He often makes public appearances to inspire people. He is also involved with Simply Kids, a brand that makes products for children.
Clemons lives in Oakville, Ontario, with his wife, Diane, and their three daughters. His daughters were all born in Canada. Clemons has said he is "American by birth but Canadian by choice." In 2000, he became a permanent resident of Canada. In 2015, he officially became a Canadian citizen.
In 2007, Clemons started the "Michael 'Pinball' Clemons Foundation." This foundation helps young people who are facing challenges. He has also worked with the founders of Free the Children to build schools and clean water systems in Africa.
Amazing Achievements
- He holds the CFL record for most all-purpose yards in regular season history: 25,396 yards.
- He gained over 5,000 career yards in rushing, pass receptions, kickoff returns, and punt returns.
- He holds many Argonauts team records for career receptions, punt return yards, and kickoff return yards.
- He was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 1990.
- He won three Grey Cups as a player (1991, 1996, 1997).
- He won one Grey Cup as a head coach (2004).
- He won two Grey Cups as a Vice Chairman (2012, 2017).
- He won two Grey Cups as a General Manager (2022, 2024).
- He was the first black head coach to reach and win a Grey Cup championship (2004).
- He was a two-time CFL All-Star (1990, 1997).
- He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
- His number 31 jersey was retired by the Toronto Argonauts.
- He was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
Special Honours
- In 2001, he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Ontario. This is a special honour in Ontario, Canada.
- In 2011, he was recognized as one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants.
- In 2020, he and his wife Diane received the Meritorious Service Medal. This was for their work with the Pinball Clemons Foundation.
Honorary Degrees
Clemons has received special honorary degrees from several universities. These degrees recognize his achievements and contributions.
| Location | Date | School | Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario, Canada | Fall 2000 | York University | Doctor of Laws (LL.D) |
| Ontario, Canada | June 2013 | Humber College | |
| Virginia, United States | February 10, 2017 | College of William & Mary | Doctor of Humane Letters (DHL) |
| Guelph, Ontario, Canada | June 11, 2024 | University of Guelph | Doctor of Laws (LL.D) |
In 2022, Clemons also received an honorary doctorate from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Legacy and Impact
In 2012, to celebrate the 100th Grey Cup, Canada Post put Michael Clemons's image on a series of special postage stamps. His image was also used on posters and other materials to promote the Grey Cup game and other celebrations. This shows how important he is to Canadian football history.
