Toronto Argonauts facts for kids
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| Founded | October 4, 1873 |
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| Based in | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Home field | BMO Field |
| Head coach | Ryan Dinwiddie |
| General manager | Pinball Clemons |
| Owner(s) | Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment |
| League | Canadian Football League |
| Division | East |
| Colours | Cambridge Blue, Oxford Blue |
| Nickname(s) | Argos, Boatmen, Double Blue, Scullers, Love Boat |
| Mascot(s) | Jason |
| Grey Cup wins | 19 (1914, 1921, 1933, 1937, 1938, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1983, 1991, 1996, 1997, 2004, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2024) |
| Current uniform | |
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2025 Toronto Argonauts seasonThe Toronto Argonauts (also called the Argos) are a professional Canadian football team. They play in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Their home city is Toronto, Ontario.
The team started in 1873. This makes them the oldest professional sports team in North America. They are also the oldest team in the modern CFL. The Argonauts play their home games at BMO Field. Before that, they played at Rogers Centre from 1989 to 2016.
The Argonauts have won the Grey Cup 19 times. This is a record for the league. They have played in the Grey Cup final 25 times. Their most recent win was in 2024. They beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 41–24 in the 111th Grey Cup. The Argos have a great winning record in the championship game. They have also won their last eight Grey Cup appearances in a row.
The team was first owned by the Argonaut Rowing Club. This lasted for 83 years. Since 1956, different businesses have owned the team. In 2018, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) bought the team. MLSE also owns other major sports teams in Toronto.
Many great players and coaches have been part of the Argonauts. Some players have had their jersey numbers retired. These include Joe Krol, Dick Shatto, Danny Nykoluk, and Michael "Pinball" Clemons.
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Team Name and Colours
The name "Argonauts" has been used since 1873. This is a record for North American professional sports. Other older teams have changed their names or cities. The Argonauts are the oldest professional football team in North America.
The name comes from Greek mythology. The Argonauts were heroes who sailed on the ship Argo. They looked for the Golden Fleece. The Argonaut Rowing Club in Toronto chose this name in 1872. They then started the football team a year later. Because of their rowing roots, the team is often called the "boatmen."
The team's colours are light blue (Cambridge Blue) and dark blue (Oxford Blue). These colours came from famous rowing teams in England. The phrase "double blue" became linked to the team. Blue is a common colour for top sports teams in Toronto. The team's helmet is light blue. It has a logo of a boat with a football. Their other official colour is white.
Team History
How the Argos Started (1873–1906)
The first Canadian football game was in Toronto in 1861. It was a version of English rugby football. The Argonaut Rowing Club started their football team on October 4, 1873. Their first game was against Hamilton, which they won. This started a long rivalry.
In 1883, the Argonauts joined the Ontario Rugby Football Union (ORFU). This was the first league with playoffs in North America. The Argos won the league in their first year. A "Dominion Championship" began in 1884. This was like an early Grey Cup. The Argos played in it but lost.
Over time, the rules of the game changed. They became more like modern football. This included the "line of scrimmage" and how points were scored. A famous player from this time was Joe Wright Sr.. He was a great all-around Canadian athlete.
Early Success and Grey Cups (1907–1952)
In 1907, the Argonauts joined a new league called the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union (IRFU). This league had teams from Hamilton, Ottawa, and Montreal.
In 1909, the Grey Cup was first awarded to the best team in Canada. The Argonauts first played for the Cup in 1911. They lost to the University of Toronto. But in 1914, they won their first championship. They beat the University of Toronto 14–2.
After World War I, the Argos had more success. Lionel Conacher, a famous Canadian athlete, led the team. They had perfect seasons in 1921 and 1922. In 1921, they won the Grey Cup against the Edmonton Eskimos. This was the first time an East team played a West team for the Cup.
The Argonauts became a dominant team from 1933 to 1952. They won eight Grey Cups in this period. They often beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the finals. Coach Lew Hayman led them to many wins. The Stukus brothers—Annis, Bill, and Frank—were also key players.
Joe "King" Krol and Royal Copeland were known as the 'Gold Dust Twins'. They were stars in the 1940s. They could run, pass, catch, and kick. They helped the Argos win three Grey Cups in a row from 1945 to 1947. In 1948, the team signed Ken Whitlock. He was their first Black player. In 1950, they signed Ulysses "Crazy Legs" Curtis. These players helped bring in a new era for the team.
Coach Frank Clair led the team to Grey Cup wins in 1950 and 1952. The 1950 win was the famous Mud Bowl. The field was very muddy due to a snowstorm.
During this time, the phrase "Argo Bounce" became popular. It meant the Argonauts often got lucky bounces of the football. This phrase is still used today.
Tough Times and a Comeback (1953–1988)
The years after 1952 were tough for the Argonauts. They did not win a Grey Cup for 31 years. A new salary cap in 1953 made it hard to keep good players. The team often finished last in their division. Coaches also changed often.
In 1958, the Argonauts helped start the Canadian Football League. A year later, they moved to Exhibition Stadium.
Some great players played for the Argos in the 1950s and 1960s. Dick Shatto played for 12 seasons. He holds team records for touchdowns and total yards. Quarterback Tobin Rote set many passing records. Danny Nykoluk was a strong offensive lineman. Despite these players, the team often lost.
In the late 1960s, coach Leo Cahill helped the team improve. They signed young star Joe Theismann in 1971. The team also started selling out Exhibition Stadium. The Argos almost won the Grey Cup in 1971. But a late fumble cost them the game.
The 1970s were difficult for the team. They had many losing seasons. But attendance at games was very high. In 1976, they averaged over 47,000 fans per game.
In 1981, the Argos had their worst season. They won only 2 games and lost 14. But things changed in 1982. Coach Bob O'Billovich and offensive coach Mouse Davis joined the team. They used a new "run and shoot" offense. The team improved a lot. Quarterback Condredge Holloway was named the league's best player.
Finally, in 1983, the Argos won the championship. They finished 12–4. Receiver Terry Greer set a CFL record with 2,003 receiving yards. The Argos beat the BC Lions 18–17 in the 71st Grey Cup. This was their first Grey Cup win since 1952. The team stayed competitive for the rest of the 1980s.
New Stadiums and New Owners (1989–2015)
In 1989, the Argonauts moved into SkyDome. This was a new stadium with a retractable roof. In 1990, Michael "Pinball" Clemons became a fan favourite. He set a CFL record for all-purpose yards.
In 1991, Hollywood stars bought the team. These were Bruce McNall, Wayne Gretzky, and John Candy. They signed Raghib "Rocket" Ismail for a huge amount of money. Ismail was amazing, especially on kickoff returns. The Argos won the 1991 Grey Cup 36–21. Clemons and quarterback Matt Dunigan were also key players.
However, the team struggled after 1991. The owners faced problems. The team was eventually sold to Labatt Brewing Company in 1994.
Attendance at games also dropped in the mid-1990s. This made people wonder about the team's future.
In 1996, the team became strong again. They hired coach Don Matthews and signed Doug Flutie. Flutie became one of the best quarterbacks in CFL history. Other key players included Mike O'Shea and Paul Masotti. The Argos won the Grey Cup in both 1996 and 1997. Flutie set team records for passing yards and touchdowns.
After these wins, the Argos had mixed results. Attendance remained low. In 2003, the CFL took control of the team due to financial problems.
New owners, David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski, bought the team in 2004. They brought immediate success. The Argos won the Grey Cup in 2004. Veteran quarterback Damon Allen led the team to victory. Allen retired in 2007 as professional football's all-time leading passer.
The Argos had winning seasons from 2005 to 2007. But they struggled in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, David Braley became the new owner.
In 2012, the Argonauts built another championship team. Ricky Ray was a great quarterback. Chad Owens was an amazing special teams player. Owens broke Michael Clemons' record for all-purpose yards. The 2012 Grey Cup was played in Toronto. The Argos won 35–22 against Calgary. This was their first Grey Cup win in Toronto since 1952.
Recent Years (2016–present)
After years of financial struggles, owner David Braley sold the team. It was bought by a group led by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum and Bell Canada. This helped secure the team's future.
The Argos moved from Rogers Centre to BMO Field for the 2016 season. The team finished last that year. But in 2017, they hired new general manager Jim Popp and coach Marc Trestman. They quickly built a strong team.
The Argos finished first in their division in 2017. They won a thrilling Eastern Final. Then, they won their 17th championship in the 2017 Grey Cup. They beat the Calgary Stampeders 27–24.
In 2018, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) became the full owner of the team. The team's practice facility moved to Lamport Stadium. Their weight rooms are at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Both are near BMO Field.
Since 2015, the team has had the lowest home attendance in the CFL. In 2022, the Argonauts won their 18th Grey Cup. They beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24–23.
Grey Cup Wins
| Date | Grey Cup | W/L | Opponent | Score | Host City | Victory # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 17, 2024 | 111th | W | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 41–24 | Vancouver | 19 |
| November 20, 2022 | 109th | W | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 24–23 | Regina | 18 |
| November 26, 2017 | 105th | W | Calgary Stampeders | 27–24 | Ottawa | 17 |
| November 25, 2012 | 100th | W | Calgary Stampeders | 35–22 | Toronto | 16 |
| November 21, 2004 | 92nd | W | BC Lions | 27–19 | Ottawa | 15 |
| November 16, 1997 | 85th | W | Saskatchewan Roughriders | 47–23 | Edmonton | 14 |
| November 24, 1996 | 84th | W | Edmonton Eskimos | 43–37 | Hamilton | 13 |
| November 24, 1991 | 79th | W | Calgary Stampeders | 36–21 | Winnipeg | 12 |
| November 29, 1987 | 75th | L | Edmonton Eskimos | 38–36 | Vancouver | – |
| November 27, 1983 | 71st | W | BC Lions | 18–17 | Vancouver | 11 |
| November 28, 1982 | 70th | L | Edmonton Eskimos | 32–16 | Toronto | – |
| November 28, 1971 | 59th | L | Calgary Stampeders | 14–11 | Vancouver | – |
| November 29, 1952 | 40th | W | Edmonton Eskimos | 21–14 | Toronto | 10 |
| November 25, 1950 | 38th | W | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 13–0 | Toronto | 9 |
| November 29, 1947 | 35th | W | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 10–9 | Toronto | 8 |
| November 30, 1946 | 34th | W | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 28–6 | Toronto | 7 |
| December 1, 1945 | 33rd | W | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 35–0 | Toronto | 6 |
| December 10, 1938 | 26th | W | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 30–7 | Toronto | 5 |
| December 11, 1937 | 25th | W | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 4–3 | Toronto | 4 |
| December 9, 1933 | 21st | W | Sarnia Imperials | 4–3 | Sarnia | 3 |
| December 3, 1921 | 9th | W | Edmonton Eskimos | 23–0 | Toronto | 2 |
| December 4, 1920 | 8th | L | University of Toronto | 16–3 | Toronto | – |
| December 5, 1914 | 6th | W | University of Toronto | 14–2 | Toronto | 1 |
| November 30, 1912 | 4th | L | Hamilton Alerts | 11–4 | Hamilton | – |
| November 25, 1911 | 3rd | L | University of Toronto | 14–7 | Toronto | – |
The Toronto Argonauts have won the most Grey Cups in CFL history. They also have the best winning percentage in the final game. Their early success was partly because western teams were not as strong. Between 1921 and 1952, the Argos won nine Grey Cups in a row. Six of these were against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Since the CFL started in 1958, the Argos have won 9 of their 12 Grey Cup appearances. This includes their last eight in a row.
The Argonauts have also been champions of their division many times. They have won their division 23 times in total.
Home Stadiums
| Toronto Argonauts Stadiums | |
| Stadium | Years Played |
|---|---|
| Rosedale Field | 1874–1897 1908–1915 |
| Varsity Stadium | 1898–1907 1916–1958 |
| CNE Stadium | 1959–1988 |
| Rogers Centre | 1989–2015 |
| BMO Field | 2016–present |
The Argonauts have played in several stadiums over the years. Their first home was Rosedale Field. It could hold about 10,000 fans. This field hosted the first Grey Cup game in 1909.
The team then moved to Varsity Stadium. This stadium was on the University of Toronto grounds. It became very important to the Argos' early history. It was home to their championship teams in the 1930s and 1940s. Varsity Stadium has hosted the most Grey Cups, with 30 games.
In 1959, the Argos moved to Exhibition Stadium (also called CNE Stadium). This stadium was known for its outdoor conditions. It was also where the Argos had their highest attendance in the 1960s and 1970s. Bad weather at the 70th Grey Cup in 1982 led to plans for a new indoor stadium.
Rogers Centre (known as SkyDome before 2004) was the Argos' home from 1989 to 2015. It was a modern stadium with a retractable roof. However, the football field setup and atmosphere were sometimes criticized. Even large crowds looked small in the huge stadium.
In 2015, it was announced the Argos would move to BMO Field. This move was part of the team's sale to new owners. BMO Field was renovated to hold more fans. It now seats 30,000 for soccer and 25,000 for CFL games. It can expand to 40,000 for big events like the Grey Cup.
The Argos also use Lamport Stadium as their practice field. Their weight rooms are at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
Team Ownership
| Ownership of the Toronto Argonauts |
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| Owner | Years Owned |
|---|---|
| Argonaut Rowing Club | October 4, 1873 – October 1, 1956 |
| John W. H. Bassett, Charlie Burns, Eric Cradock | October 1, 1956 – January 1, 1960 |
| John Bassett, Charlie Burns, Len Lumbers | January 1, 1960 – August 31, 1971 |
| Baton Broadcasting (John Bassett) | August 31, 1971 – February 27, 1974 |
| William R. Hodgson | February 27, 1974 – June 25, 1976 |
| William R. Hodgson, Carling O'Keefe | June 25, 1976 – January 12, 1979 |
| Carling O'Keefe | January 12, 1979 – December 12, 1988 |
| Harry Ornest, Carling O'Keefe | December 12, 1988 – February 25, 1991 |
| Bruce McNall, John Candy, Wayne Gretzky | February 25, 1991 – May 5, 1994 |
| TSN Enterprises (Labatt) | May 5, 1994 – July 26, 1995 |
| Labatt Brewing Company (Interbrew) | July 26, 1995 – December 20, 1999 |
| Sherwood Schwarz | December 20, 1999 – July 29, 2003 |
| Canadian Football League | July 29, 2003 – November 5, 2003 |
| Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon | November 5, 2003 – February 9, 2010 |
| David Braley | February 9, 2010 – December 31, 2015 |
| Kilmer Sports and Bell Canada | December 31, 2015 – January 18, 2018 |
| Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment | January 19, 2018 – present |
For over 80 years, the Argonauts were owned by the Argonaut Rowing Club. In 1957, a group led by John W. H. Bassett bought the team. Bassett was a key figure in the team's ownership for many years.
The team was later owned by Carling O'Keefe, a brewing company. This period saw the Argos win their first modern-era Grey Cup in 1983.
After that, the team had several different owners. In 1991, famous people like Bruce McNall, John Candy, and Wayne Gretzky bought the team. John Candy was especially loved for his passion for the team.
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The team faced financial issues in the early 2000s. The CFL even took control for a short time. Then, David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski bought the team in 2004. They brought new hope and a Grey Cup win.
In 2010, David Braley became the owner. He also owned the BC Lions, which caused some discussion.
Finally, in 2015, a group led by Larry Tanenbaum (from Kilmer Sports) and Bell Canada bought the team. This helped ensure the team's long-term future. In 2018, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) fully bought the Argos. MLSE now owns most of Toronto's major sports teams.
Team Leaders
| Toronto Argonauts Senior Executives | ||||
| General Manager | Years | President | Years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lew Hayman | 1957–1970 | Lew Hayman | 1966–1981 | |
| John Barrow | 1971–1975 | Ralph Sazio | 1982–1989 | |
| Dick Shatto | 1976–1978 | Mike McCarthy | 1990–1993 | |
| Tommy Hudspeth | 1979–1981 | Ron Barbaro | 1993 | |
| Jim Eddy | 1982–1983 | Paul Beeston | 1994 | |
| Ralph Sazio | 1984–1985 | Bob Nicholson | 1995–1999 | |
| Leo Cahill | 1986–1988 | Sherwood Schwarz | 2000–2001 | |
| Ralph Sazio | 1989 | Pinball Clemons | 2002 | |
| Mike McCarthy | 1990–1993 | Dan Ferrone | 2003 | |
| Bob O'Billovich | 1994–1995 | Keith Pelley | 2004–2007 | |
| Don Matthews | 1996 | Pinball Clemons (CEO) Brad Watters (COO) |
2008 | |
| Eric Tillman | 1997 | Bob Nicholson | 2009–2011 | |
| Don Matthews | 1998 | Chris Rudge | 2012–2015 | |
| Eric Tillman | 1999 | Michael Copeland | 2016–2017 | |
| J. I. Albrecht | 2000 | Bill Manning | 2018–2024 | |
| Paul Masotti | 2001 | |||
| Gary Etcheverry | 2002 | |||
| Pinball Clemons | 2003 | |||
| Adam Rita | 2004–2010 | |||
| Jim Barker | 2011–2017 | |||
| Jim Popp | 2017–2019 | |||
| Pinball Clemons | 2019–present | |||
The two main leadership roles for the Argonauts are president and general manager. Lew Hayman was a very important leader for the team for five decades. He was the first paid president of the club.
After a long period of stable leadership, many people have held these roles since the 1990s. The current general manager is Mike "Pinball" Clemons. He was appointed in 2019.
Head Coaches
Fifty-nine different men have been the head coach of the Toronto Argonauts. The current coach is Ryan Dinwiddie. He started in 2019 and led the team to a Grey Cup win in 2022.
Bob O'Billovich coached the team for the longest time, 11 years over three periods. Other important coaches include Leo Cahill and Frank Clair.
The CFL gives an award each year for the best coach. Argonauts coaches have won this award nine times.
How to Watch and Listen
Argonauts games are shown on TSN television channels. You can also listen to games on CHUM (AM) radio. Sometimes, games are on CFRB 1010 if there is another sports event on TSN Radio.
Team Rivalries
Canadian football has many strong rivalries because there are not many teams. The biggest rivalry for the Toronto Argonauts is with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Argos' very first game was against a Hamilton club. These two teams play every year in the Labour Day Classic. This is a special game played on Labour Day.
The Argonauts also have rivalries with teams from Montreal and Ottawa. In recent years, the Montreal Alouettes have often played the Argos in the playoffs.
The Ottawa REDBLACKS are a newer team, but they continue a long rivalry with Ottawa football teams. The Argos have a winning record against them.
In the Grey Cup, the Argos have faced many different teams. They had a rivalry with the Edmonton Eskimos for many years. They also had a cross-town rivalry with the University of Toronto in the early Grey Cup years.
Famous Players and Staff
| Toronto Argonauts Retired Numbers | ||||
| No. | Player | Position | Years Played | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Dick Shatto1 | RB | 1954–1965 | – |
| 31 | Michael "Pinball" Clemons2 | RB/SB/KR/PR | 1989–2000 | 1991, 1996, 1997 |
| 55 | Joe Krol | QB/RB/P/K/DB | 1945–1952, 1955 | 1945, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1952 |
| 60 | Danny Nykoluk | OT | 1955, 1957–1971 | – |
| 1 General manager from 1976 to 1978. 2 Head coach from 2000 to 2007, president from 2001 to 2002, vice-chairman from 2009 to 2019, and general manager 2019–present. |
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The highest honour for an Argonauts player is to have their jersey number retired. Only four players have received this honour. The team also has a list of "All-Time Argos" to recognize other great players.
Many Argonauts players and staff are in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. A total of 56 people from the team are in the Hall.
The CFL also gives out awards each year. The most important is the Most Outstanding Player Award. Seven Argonauts have won this award: Chad Kelly (2023), Chad Owens (2012), Damon Allen (2005), Doug Flutie (1996 & 1997), Michael "Pinball" Clemons (1990), Condredge Holloway (1982), and Bill Symons (1968).
Honoured Personnel
| Toronto Argonauts Honoured Personnel | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affiliation in Hall of Fame based on team acknowledgement | |||||
| All Time Argonauts | |||||
| Les Ascott Damon Allen Michael "Pinball" Clemons Royal Copeland Jim Corrigall Ulysses "Crazy Legs" Curtis |
Dan Ferrone Doug Flutie Terry Greer Rodney Harding Ed Harrington |
Lew Hayman Condredge Holloway Joe Krol Rodney Harding Dave Mann |
Paul Masotti Marv Luster Peter Martin Derrell Mitchell Danny Nykoluk |
Mike O'Shea Jim Rountree Teddy Morris Don Moen Bob O'Billovich |
Ricky Ray Jim Stillwagon Bill Symons William Zock Dick Shatto |
| Hall of Fame Players | |||||
| Damon Allen John Barrow Danny Bass Harry Batstone Paul Bennett Leroy Blugh Ab Box Josh Bourke Joe Breen Jerry Campbell Michael "Pinball" Clemons |
Tommy Joe Coffey Lionel Conacher Royal Copeland Jim Corrigall Larry Crawford Wes Cutler Matt Dunigan Terry Evanshen Cap Fear Dan Ferrone Doug Flutie |
Bill Frank Vince Goldsmith S. J. Green Terry Greer Tracy Ham Condredge Holloway Hank Ilesic Bob Isbister Russ Jackson Bobby Jurasin Ellison Kelly |
Joe Krol Smirle Lawson Neil Lumsden Marv Luster Derrell Mitchell Joe Montford Frank Morris Teddy Morris Ray Nettles Mike O'Shea Chad Owens |
Jackie Parker James Parker Willie Pless Dave Raimey Ted Reeve Rocco Romano Dick Shatto Orlondo Steinauer Don Sutherin Bill Symons |
Ricky Ray Dave Thelen Dick Thornton Andy Tommy Pierre Vercheval David Williams Tom Wilkinson Don Wilson Ben Zambiasi Bill Zock |
| Hall of Fame Builders | |||||
| David Braley Frank Clair Frank Cosentino |
Bernie Custis William C. Foulds Jake Gaudaur |
Lew Hayman Tuffy Knight Don Matthews |
Jack Newton Bob O'Billovich |
Mike Rodden Ralph Sazio |
Annis Stukus Frank Tindall |
Team Mascot
The Toronto Argonauts' mascot is named Jason. He took over from the previous mascot, Bounce, in 2005. Bounce had replaced Scully in 2003.
Images for kids
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1906 Toronto Argonauts team photo.
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The Argonauts (in stripes) playing the Ottawa Rough Riders at Varsity Stadium in 1924.
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The Argonauts have won a record 19 Grey Cups. They had a 31-year championship drought from 1952 to 1983.
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Argonauts vs Tiger-Cats at Exhibition Stadium in fall of 1971.
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SkyDome set up for the Argonauts. The Argonauts played at SkyDome from 1989 to 2015.
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The Argonauts during a game against the Calgary Stampeders, during the 2008 CFL season.
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BMO Field with additional temporary seats in the south endzone for the 104th Grey Cup.
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David Braley owned the club from 2010 to 2015.
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An Argos game against the Ti-Cats at Ivor Wynne Stadium in 2010.
See also
- Toronto Argonauts all-time records and statistics
- Argonotes, the former Toronto Argonauts band
