Michael Clemons was born in Clearwater, Florida in 1965. He became a Canadian Football League icon and developed into a national sports hero and endearing personality.
He attended the College of William & Mary in Virginia where he was NCAA – Division 1, -AA, All-American in 1986.
Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1987, Clemons ended up joining the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in 1989. Picking up the nickname “Pinball” for his elusive running style, he established the single season pro football combined yardage record of 3,840 yards in 1990. Over his 11 year career with the Argonauts, Mr. Clemons retired with a CFL record of 25,396 total yards.
Clemons won the Jeff Russell Memorial Award in recognition of being an Eastern Conference All-Star 4 times in his career. He was the CFL all-star 2 times and the CFL outstanding player in 1990. ‘Pinball’ was on Grey Cup winning teams in 1991, 1996 and 1997. He won the Tom Pate Memorial Award in 1993 and 1996; a CFLPA award from his peers for sportsmanship and off-field contributions to society.
Leaving the playing field Pinball became an outstanding Head Coach for the Argonauts, winning a Grey Cup in 2004. He was a CFL ‘coach of the year’ nominee 2002, 2003 and 2004. He retired from coaching to become the President and CEO of the Toronto Argonauts Football Club in 2007.
Mr. Clemons was awarded the Order of Ontario in 2001.
Michael Clemons is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
Michael Clemons was born in Clearwater, Florida in 1965. He became a Canadian Football League icon and developed into a national sports hero and endearing personality.
He attended the College of William & Mary in Virginia where he was NCAA – Division 1, -AA, All-American in 1986.
Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1987, Clemons ended up joining the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in 1989. Picking up the nickname “Pinball” for his elusive running style, he established the single season pro football combined yardage record of 3,840 yards in 1990. Over his 11 year career with the Argonauts, Mr. Clemons retired with a CFL record of 25,396 total yards.
Clemons won the Jeff Russell Memorial Award in recognition of being an Eastern Conference All-Star 4 times in his career. He was the CFL all-star 2 times and the CFL outstanding player in 1990. ‘Pinball’ was on Grey Cup winning teams in 1991, 1996 and 1997. He won the Tom Pate Memorial Award in 1993 and 1996; a CFLPA award from his peers for sportsmanship and off-field contributions to society.
Leaving the playing field Pinball became an outstanding Head Coach for the Argonauts, winning a Grey Cup in 2004. He was a CFL ‘coach of the year’ nominee 2002, 2003 and 2004. He retired from coaching to become the President and CEO of the Toronto Argonauts Football Club in 2007.
Mr. Clemons was awarded the Order of Ontario in 2001.
Michael Clemons is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. 
