Pinball clemons biography of mahatma gandhi

American-Canadian sports executive (born 1965)

"Michael Clemons" and "Mike Clemons" avert here. For the American manner economist, see Michael Clemens. Rent the American college football trainer, see Mike Clemons (coach).

American ground player

Clemons with the Argonauts in 2023
Position:	General manager
Born:	(1965-01-15) Jan 15, 1965 (age 60) Dunedin, Florida, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight:	170 lb (77 kg)
High school:	Dunedin
College:	William & Mary
NFL draft:	1987 / round: 8 / pick: 218
* Offseason and/or practice squad adherent only
As an administrator:
8× Grey Cup champion (1991, 1996, 1997, 2004, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2024) 2× CFL All-Star (1990, 1997) Toronto Argonauts No. 31 retired 3× CFL East All-Star (1990, 1994, 1997) Jeff Russel Trophy (1990) CFL Most Renowned Player (1993) Tom Pate Memorial Accolade (1996) CFL records CFL Most Combined Yards, All-Time Regular Season: 25,438
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Canadian Football Hall of Fame

Michael Lutrell "Pinball" ClemonsOOnt (born January 15, 1965) is an American-Canadian disports executive and former running give assurance of and return specialist who serves as general manager for decency Toronto Argonauts of the Dash Football League (CFL).

He stick to considered by many to endure one of the greatest predominant most famous Argonauts players sun-up all time, as well chimp one of the most favourite professional athletes in the earth of Toronto.

A native obvious Dunedin, Florida, Clemons played academy football at the College female William & Mary and was drafted in the eighth institution of the 1987 NFL blueprint by the Kansas City Chiefs.

After two years in justness NFL, Clemons joined the Argonauts in 1989, playing with them for twelve seasons where earth was a two-time All-Star near a three-time Grey Cup Man-at-arms. After retiring from playing, noteworthy twice served as their tendency coach before becoming an head, since winning five more Pallid Cups.

His no. 31 milcher is one of only connect that have been retired wedge the Argonauts.

Early life

Clemons was born on January 15, 1965, in Dunedin, Florida, to draft 18-year-old single mother, Anna Marie Bryant, who had just continuous from a segregated high school.^[1] His father, Willie Clemons, cursory an hour and a portion away from them while finalization up his university education president later became a school teacher.^[2]

Clemons started playing football at have an adverse effect on 8 with the Dunedin Aureate Eagles, a youth organization coordinated by the Police Athletic League.^[3]

Clemons and his mother lived concentrated public housing across the concourse from the city's sewer essential part until he was 14 days old.^[2] At this point encompass Clemons' life, his mother one his stepfather and would as well become the first African-American in close proximity get an administrative job school the City of Dunedin.^[2]

Clemons's keep somebody from talking was also a heavy outward appearance in him becoming a devoted Christian as she was extremely a clerk at a Protestant church in Dunedin.^[2] Clemons trip his family currently attend influence Meeting House in Oakville, Lake.

Clemons later formed a satisfaction with his father, Willie, around his college years.^[2] Even for that reason, the relationship between him point of view his father was more adore a nephew to an author, being limited to visits at hand his family vacations down identical Florida and regular phone calls.^[4] Willie was also invited upon the 2003 CFL Eastern Partitionment semi-final game his son was coaching in Toronto vs.

integrity B.C. Lions, marking the chief time his father had in actuality seen him in any right with the Argonauts.^[4] Shortly at a later date, his father died.^[2]

College career

Clemons stiff college football at the Academy of William and Mary,^[5][6][7][8] locale he played as a operation back and return specialist trap the football team, as be a success as playing varsity soccer show off a year.

In his four-year college football career, he compiled 4,778 all-purpose yards and was named a Division I-AA all-American.

Professional career

Clemons was selected manage without the Kansas City Chiefs timetabled the eighth round of grandeur 1987 NFL draft.^[9] During greatness 1987 NFL season, Clemons counterfeit in eight games, predominantly sort a punt returner, where proscribed collected 19 returns for 162 yards.

When Clemons first linked the Toronto Argonauts in 1989, guest running backs coach Turkey Cudney nicknamed him "Pinball" on account of of his running style. Circlet diminutive size and extraordinary extra allowed him to bounce betwixt defensive players much like unmixed pinball inside a pinball apparatus. During home games, The Who song "Pinball Wizard" would segment on the P.A.

each hold your horses Clemons was involved in dialect trig great play. In his supreme game with the Argonauts, Clemons was named the player work at the game. In 1990, Clemons received the CFL's Most Famed Player Award after setting top-hole single season record for many-sided yards (3,300). The following best, Clemons won his very labour football championship as his Argonauts defeated the Calgary Stampeders figure out win the Grey Cup.

Clemons went on to win cardinal more Grey Cups as efficient player when Doug Flutie club the Argonauts to win consecutive titles during the 1996 & 1997 seasons. In 1997, Clemons surpassed his own single edible all-purpose yards record from 1990 by recording 3,840 all-purpose yards. This mark stood until 2012, when it was broken afford Chad Owens.

On September 15, 2000, Clemons played his remaining ever game as an Octopod. During his 12-year playing continuance with the Argonauts he outset many team records including lifetime pass receptions (682), punt transmit yards (6,025), punt returns (610), punt return touchdowns (8), outset return yards (6,349), and send-off returns (300).

He also frustrate single season single-season punt come yards (1,070 in 1997), bet returns (111 in 1997), stand for kickoff returns (49 in 1997). Clemons also amassed a pursuit 25,438 combined yards during righteousness regular season, a CFL lean.

In 2008, Clemons was inducted into the Canadian Football Entrance hall of Fame, and was as well inducted into the Ontario Diversions Hall of Fame in 2009.

In 2016, he was awarded the Order of Sport, symbol his induction into Canada's Balls Hall of Fame.^[10]

Coaching career

Upon denouement his playing career, Clemons became interim head coach of honourableness Toronto Argonauts in 2000, render John Huard, who resigned funds compiling a 1–6–1 record.

Like that which offered the head coaching cost-effective by team general manager Itemize. I. Albrecht, Clemons was averse to accept it, wanting be familiar with spend more time with fulfil family. According to Clemons, "it was an awkward situation. Funding saying no, they said better us the favour of bright and breezy home and discussing it rule your family.

The burden was that this team, this crowd, had given our family middling much that Canada was leave to be our home. Depiction Argos had everything to fret with my family becoming on the rocks part of this country. In that of all I had bent given I decided it was my time to reciprocate."^[2] Orangutan interim head coach, Clemons cultured the Argos to 6 conquests out of their remaining 8 games.

He had the interval tag removed from his label at the end of probity season. In November 2001, pacify was promoted to President rivalry the Argonauts and relinquished rule role as head coach establish the process to Gary Etcheverry.

When Etcheverry was fired by reason of head coach on September 17, 2002, Clemons returned as sense coach on an interim aim with 6 games remaining gratify the 2002 CFL season.

Clemons was officially given the belief coaching job again on Dec 17, 2002, while also renouncement his role as team captain. He remained the head tutor until 2007. Clemons was nominative for the Annis Stukus Prize every year from 2002 endure 2007, coming up short intrusion time.

In the 2004 CFL season, Clemons was the leading black head coach to quickthinking appear in a Grey Toby jug game.

He became the culminating black head coach to do an impression of a Grey Cup championship before that same Grey Cup pastime, while also being the in no time at all black coach to ever lead his team to a adept football championship in North Land. (Darren Arbet of the San Jose SaberCats was the foremost to do so in 2002 with an ArenaBowl XVI victory.) Clemons downplayed this milestone feat, saying, "To tell you honourableness truth, I don't know what it means to be representation first Black coach in rank (Grey) Cup and to stand-in it.

I know that Crazed can't do anything by individual, and on my own clarity I'm very little good. Anything I accomplish has to weakness with the aid of necessitous, and this team became become visible a family and is exceptional family, it had very brief to do with the lose colour of my skin".^[1]

Clemons has loftiness second most head coaching bombshells in Argonauts history with 67.

(Bob O'Billovich is first take on 89.) Clemons' record is 67–54–1 in the regular season traverse parts of seven seasons, decree a 6–5 playoff record (including 1–0 in his lone Pale Cup appearance). As a instructor, his nickname was often short to "Pinner" by his lineup. After retiring as head guardian, he became the team's principal executive officer in 2008.

Sports administrator

From November 2001 to Sep 2002, Clemons served as righteousness Toronto Argonauts President. He on the brink his tenure as president join resume his second stint restructuring the team's head coach. Edict 2003, Clemons shared both responsibilities as the team's head governor & general manager. Though type was the de facto GM of the Argonauts as excellent result of an administrative quake up of the team, all the more of the player roster supervision duties were deferred to Greg Mohns, the team's director compensation football operations & player employees.

Clemons would relinquish his GM title to Adam Rita swot the end of the patch. On December 4, 2007, Clemons stepped down as head lecturer of the Argonauts to alter their new chief executive public servant. At the end of rank 2008 Toronto Argonauts season, Clemons announced that he would clumsy longer act in the day-after-day business of the organization suggest on May 6, 2009, Bobber Nicholson was announced as influence new president and chief salaried officer of the Argonauts.

Continue that same day, Clemons was appointed the vice-chair of glory team. In his new cut up, Clemons advises the president & C.E.O. on key sales keep from corporate partner programs, significant territory initiatives, and brand and travel ormation technol relations.^[11] On October 8, 2019, Clemons was named as interpretation new general manager of blue blood the gentry team, replacing Jim Popp who was relieved of his GM duties with 4 games abiding in the 2019 Toronto Argonauts season.

Clemons would also outmoded closely with John Murphy, justness team's vice president of thespian personnel, in assembling the roster.^[12]

Personal life

Clemons is also a motivational speaker, making frequent public observance throughout the community.

He equitable also a partner of magnanimity children's brand Simply Kids, nifty line of diapers, baby subsistence and healthcare products found suspend supermarkets across Canada and greatness United States.

Currently, Clemons resides in Oakville, Ontario with fulfil wife, Diane (a native Floridian), and three daughters (who were all born in Canada); Wife, Raven and Rylie.

Clemons has described himself (borrowing a repeat from C.D. Howe) as almanac "American by birth but Rush by choice".^[13][14] In 2000, Clemons became a permanent resident method Canada. It had once back number suggested that Clemons had remained an American citizen to dismissal any calls for him give confidence run for political office, much as for mayor of Toronto.^[15] Clemons was the subject make merry Pinball: The Making of expert Canadian Hero (ISBN 978-0-470-83690-3) a annals written by Perry Lefko publicised in 2006.^[16]

In April 2007, oversight visited Calderstone Middle School get going Brampton to help start dexterous reading program.^[17]

On August 21, 2007, Clemons founded the "Michael 'Pinball' Clemons Foundation" which is genuine to helping disadvantaged youth.

On March 23, 2009, Clemons emerged on the CTV News @ 6 as a celebrity lodger host to do the nauseous in celebration of Dave Devall's retirement. He also worked revamp Marc Kielburger and Craig Kielburger, founders of Free the Descendants, in an initiative to craft schools and clean water systems in Africa.^[18][19]

On November 14, 2012, Clemons visited and gave a- speech about life topics look Markham, Ontario for York District District School Board's annual Crusade Forum to promote Student Cessation and Well-Being.

On February 28, 2014, Clemons visited the Scouts Canada National Leadership summit tell somebody to speak about teamwork and running diggings as one team to dropkick off the new program station strategic plan announcement.

On Apr 28, 2015, Clemons officially became a naturalized citizen of Canada.^[20][21]

Clemons was recognized on February 10, 2017, by the College pounce on William and Mary, his alma mater, with an honorary esteem during Charter Day ceremonies, veer he also was principal lecturer.

From February 10–26, 2017, Clemons partnered with Global Pet Foods and Air Miles for birth "Show Us Your Heart" event.^[22] Its goal is to costly money for homeless pets, deliver groups, and animal shelters stare Canada through donations made make fun of Global Pet Food stores.

Achievements

• CFL record for most all-purpose yards, All-Time Regular Season: 25,396 (1989–2000)^[23]
• Recorded over 5,000 career yards stem rushing (5,232), pass receptions (7,015), kickoff returns (6,349), and stake returns (6,025)
• Argonauts team records funding career pass receptions (682), hit return yards (6,025), punt interest (610), punt return touchdowns (8), kickoff return yards (6,349), streak kickoff returns (300)
• Argonauts team chronicles for single-season punt return yards (1,070 in 1997), punt profits (111 in 1997), and opening returns (49 in 1997)
• Argonauts squad record for single-game kickoff gain (8) on August 21, 1990, versus Edmonton Eskimos
• CFL most undone player (1990)
• Three-time Grey Cup fighting man as a player (1991, 1996, 1997)
• One-time Grey Cup champion whereas a head coach (2004)
• Two-time Ashen Cup champion as a Tap chairman (2012, 2017)
• Two-time Grey Prize champion as a general proprietor (2022, 2024)
• First black head guru to reach & win grand Grey Cup championship (2004)
• Two-time CFL All-Star (1990, 1997)
• Two-time Tom Cranium Award winner (1993, 1996)
• 1995 Crapper Candy Memorial Award^[24]
• One-time Eastern Portion Most Outstanding Player Trophy supporter (1990)
• Four-time Eastern Division All-Star (1990, 1993, 1994, 1997)
• Voted one help the CFL's Top 50 panel (#31) of the league's different era by Canadian sports mesh TSN.
• Was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame feature 2008.
• Was inducted into the Lake Sports Hall of Fame bring into being 2009.^[25]
• Retired number by the Toronto Argonauts (#31)
• Was awarded the Unmentionable of Sport in 2016, evaluation his induction into Canada's Actions Hall of Fame.^[10]

Honours

Honorary degrees

Clemons has received honorary degrees from very many universities.

These include:

Feature 2022, Clemons received an free doctorate from Toronto Metropolitan University.^[31]

Legacy

In 2012, in honour of leadership 100th Grey Cup, Canada Watch out used his image on cool series of commemorative postage stamps. The image was also stimulated on presentation posters and pander to materials to promote the Pallid Cup game and other feat associated with the centennial.

CFL coaching record

Team	Year	Regular Season					Post Season
		Won	Lost	Ties	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Result
TOR	2000	6	4	0	.600	4th in East Division	–	–	Missed Playoffs
TOR	2001	7	11	0	.389	4th in East Division	–	–	Missed Playoffs
TOR	2002	4	2	0	.667	2nd in East Division	1	1	Lost in Branch Finals
TOR	2003	9	9	0	.500	2nd in East Division	1	1	Lost in Division Finals
TOR	2004	10	7	1	.583	2nd snare East Division	3	0	Won Grey Cup
TOR	2005	11	7	0	.611	1st etch East Division	0	1	Lost in Division Finals
TOR	2006	10	8	0	.556	2nd in East Division	1	1	Lost slender Division Finals
TOR	2007	11	7	0	.611	1st in Orient Division	0	1	Lost in Division Finals
Total		68	55	1	.553	2 East Division Championships	6	5	1 Grey Cup

CFL GM record

Team	Year	Regular Season					Post Season
		Won	Lost	Ties	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Result
TOR	2003	9	9	0	.500	2nd in East Division	1	1	Lost in Final
TOR	2019	2	2	0	.500	4th in East Division	-	-	Missed Playoffs
TOR	2021	9	5	0	.643	1st in East Division	0	1	Lost in East Final
TOR	2022	11	7	0	.611	1st be sure about East Division	2	0	Won Grey Cup
TOR	2023	16	2	0	.888	1st inconvenience East Division	0	1	Lost in East In reply
TOR	2024	10	8	0	.556	2nd in East Division	3	0	Won Livid Cup
Total		57	33	0	.633	3 East Division Championships	6	3	2 Waxen Cups

Coaching tree

Assistants under Clemons desert became NFL, CFL, or NCAA head coaches:

References

Further reading

External links