All Heart
My Story
CFL legend Michael “Pinball” Clemons is an icon of sporting excellence, community leadership, and personal integrity. Considered one of the best athletes Canada has ever known, his real legacy may well lie with the thousands of people he has inspired, both on and off the field. With his signature charisma and relentless energy, Clemons shows us how to overcome impossible odds. More than skill, the crucial components of success are a strong character, a deep sense of belonging, and an unwavering commitment.
Michael “Pinball” Clemons stands 5 feet 6 inches and weighs a mere 170 pounds. Despite being much smaller than the average football player, Clemons led a spectacular CFL career with the Toronto Argonauts. His diminutive frame, coupled with his razorsharp balance, allowed him to zip between defensive players effortlessly; a distinctive running style which earned him the nickname “Pinball” from his former coach Tom Cudney. During his twelve-year career, Clemons was named the CFL’s most outstanding player, won three Grey Cups, and set records for everything from career pass receptions to kickoff return yards. Clemons retired as a player and picked up the mantle of head coach and President of the Argonauts. He was the first black head coach to win a Grey Cup championship, and the second black coach to ever guide his team to a championship in North America. For his outstanding contributions to the sport, he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
Clemons has also served as the Argos’ CEO and Vice Chair, and was recently appointed as the team’s General Manager. “Michael Clemons is the Toronto Argonauts personified and bleeds double blue. His passion for this team and this city, and his championship pedigree, will have a profound impact on the direction of this team moving forward,” said President Bill Manning. Throught his career, Clemons has also modeled a commitment to community—especially to youth—that is simply unparalleled. To give back, he founded the Michael Pinball Clemons Foundation, an organization that invests in youth education on a local and international scale. To date, the foundation has awarded 176 scholarships, placed 200 children in youth mentoring programs, and built 231 school houses catering to 9,000 children per year across 7 developing countries.