Byron Parker to retire as an Argo

[ArgoGabe22]

http://argonauts.ca/article/byron-pa...mpaign=twitter

ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO- The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is pleased to announce that one of the most accomplished defensive players in team history, DB Byron Parker, will sign a one day contract and retire as an Argonaut. Parker will be honoured by the club during Saturday’s game at Rogers Centre against the Calgary Stampeders. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m.

Commented Byron Parker, “I would like to say a HUGE thank you to the Toronto Argonauts organization as well as the entire league for allowing me to be a part of the CFL family. I will be forever grateful for the relationships and friendships that I have formed over the past nine years.”

Parker spent seven seasons in Double Blue after being signed as a free agent by the club in 2005. He played 85 regular season games and five (5) playoff games from 2005 to 2011 as an Argonaut. During his CFL career, Parker amassed 268 tackles, 30 interceptions and 12 touchdowns as a member of Toronto, Edmonton, BC and Montreal. He was also named a CFL Division and league-wide All-Star three times.

Commented Argonauts General Manager, Jim Barker, “Byron Parker was a very athletic and instinctive football player, and quarterbacks always needed to be aware of where he was in the defence. He was not only dynamic to watch, but a man of great character. I had the opportunity to coach him in Toronto and he played an important role for us in helping to change and create a winning culture within our locker room. He will always be remembered as an Argonaut."

As an Argonaut, Parker was as exceptional in the secondary as he was versatile. He holds multiple team and league records including most touchdowns scored by interception in an Argos and CFL career (9), most touchdowns by interception in a season (4), third all-time in Argos history for Interception Return Yards (744), tied for most interception returns in a game and quarter (2), holds the single game record for most interception yards in a game (135) and holds the Argos and CFL single-season record for interception return yards (348). He also returned punts and kickoffs, and even scored a touchdown while lining up as a receiver on offence during trick play against Montreal!

Commented Argonauts Vice-Chair and Byron’s former coach, Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons, “Alongside Damon Allen, he’s probably the best athlete I’ve ever coached. He came to us a basketball standout and winner of an NCAA dunk competition, with football as a hobby. His skillset was unrefined but his talent was immense. As a defensive back we had to find a way to get him on the field. We played him at returner and he was so explosive we also included him on offence. As you know, he scored touchdowns in three different ways, the only thing that was bigger than his talent was his heart. I don’t often say this about a football player, but everybody loves Byron. He became a great contributor to our team chemistry, was loved by our fans and, fittingly, as of today, he will always be in Double Blue.”

Originally a basketball player while attending Tulane - he won the 2003 NCAA Slam Dunk competition with a dunk he called the “X-Factor” - his superior athleticism was noticed by the school’s head football coach who recruited him to join the Green Wave football program as a sophomore. He played just two years of college football and signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2004) as an undrafted free agent. He also had stops in Dallas (2006) and Philadelphia (2009) as a player.

A Stoney Mountain, Georgia native, Parker now lives in Atlanta, Georgia where he coaches high school football and basketball.

CLICK HERE To view a feature about Byron Parker from early in his Argos career.
CLICK HERE to view footage of Byron Parker setting the CFL record for Interception return touchdowns.
CLICK HERE for all the best images of Byron Parker as an Argonaut.

[gilthethrill]

One of my all time favourite Argos. Remember when he burst on the scene scoring a TD on a reception in Montreal in 2005. Still can't believe he was traded to Edmonton in 2009 after his return from Philadelphia...Andrus claimed he had not learned the terminology of the Argo Defence...funny, other teams Offences sure knew it well.... Thank you Byron!

[ArgoGabe22]

Best moment of @byronparker28 's career off of the field was when he challenged Area51. On the field was all of his 9 pick sixes #Argos

— DoubleBlueBlog (@DoubleBlueBlog) July 11, 2014

[Will]

One of my favorite Argo players of the past decade. Who can forget the 2006 Labour Day Classic in Hamilton when the Argos and Tiger-Cats had been slugging it out for three quarters and the score was something like 12-5 Argos or something and Jason Maas decided to start throwing pick-sixes to Byron Parker. It is unfortunate that he never had the opportunity to win a Grey Cup with the Argos.

[paulwoods13]

I assume they are NOT adding him to the All-Time Argonauts banners (at least not yet), which raises the questions, will the team add someone to that list this season, and if so, who? Off the top of my head, candidates include Carl Brazley, Paul Pearson, Hank Ilesic, Lance Chomyc, Adrion Smith and Derrell Mitchell. Mike O'Shea will get there for sure at some point, but probably not while he is coaching the Bombers.

[Will]

The only player to get on the all-time Argo list immediately was Pinball and that was an extremely special instance so, no, I doubt Parker is being put up there tomorrow, but he'll certainly be deserving of it one day I think.

As for former player there are plenty: Reggie Pleasant, Carl Brazley, Don Wilson, Chris Schultz, Derrell Mitchell, Adrion Smith, Mike O'Shea, Kevin Eiben, Orlondo Steinauer, Byron Parker, Darrell K. Smith, etc.

[paulwoods13]

Good list, '87. I think if Schultz rates, so does Kelvin Pruenster. Never an all-star (IIRC) but a long-term starter at tackle and won two Grey Cups.

[gilthethrill]

Good list, '87. I think if Schultz rates, so does Kelvin Pruenster. Never an all-star (IIRC) but a long-term starter at tackle and won two Grey Cups.

I don't recall long time Centre Chad Folk ever gaining all-star status either.

[ArgoRavi]

Parker had an outstanding career and it is nice to see him retire as an Argo. He and Bryan Crawford both had some tough luck in that they joined the Argos in '05 just after a Grey Cup win and both left the team after the '11 season and just before another Grey Cup victory. It would be great to see Parker post on here again.

[jerrym]

Loved Byron's style of play from the moment I first saw him in game action.

[ArgoGabe22]

As for former player there are plenty: Reggie Pleasant, Carl Brazley, Don Wilson, Chris Schultz, Derrell Mitchell, Adrion Smith, Mike O'Shea, Kevin Eiben, Orlondo Steinauer, Byron Parker, Darrell K. Smith, etc.

Tricky Dick Thornton! I forwarded some info on Mr.Thornton to the Argos but have not heard back.

[ArgoGabe22]

Byron Parker was always a fan favourite even when he was no longer an Argo. I remember him and Pre took time after the game when they were with Edmonton and then when he got a standing ovation by a few fans at the preseason game at Varisty. Its a shame he had to retire. He's 33 and I'm guessing he doesn't have as much wear and tear as other his age given his late start to football. I was hoping the Argos would give him a look and to prove the Als and Popp wrong, who gave Byron the chance to retire with Montreal.

On 1050, BP says he called Barker for tickets because he was coming in and asked what has to be done (paperwork) in order to retire as an Argo. So this means that it was Byron Parker's idea and the Argos just went with it. Funny thing is that he said he was probably the worst player on the defence in 2006 even though he scored 4 TDs.

[paulwoods13]

Tricky Dick Thornton! I forwarded some info on Mr.Thornton to the Argos but have not heard back.

That would be a great choice, and should be a priority because of his age (and health -- I think there was a thread on this earlier this year?). From that era there is also Dave Raimey.

[ArgoGabe22]

That would be a great choice, and should be a priority because of his age (and health -- I think there was a thread on this earlier this year?). From that era there is also Dave Raimey.

Yup http://www.argofans.com/showthread.p...light=thornton

Also a blog post - All Time Argo? It’s about time Tricky Dick Thornton was honoured. https://doubleblueblog.wordpress.com...-was-honoured/

& a petition, which hasn't gained a ton of interest http://www.thepetitionsite.com/919/8...all-time-argo/

No offence to Byron and the others but I think they should go with the older players first like Thornton and Raimey first.

[paulwoods13]

Thanks for digging that u[p, ArgoGabe. Tricky Dick gets my vote for sure (not that I have a "vote").

[AngeloV]

I was hoping the Argos would give him a look and to prove the Als and Popp wrong, who gave Byron the chance to retire with Montreal.

I think the knock against Parker is that he was not the greatest cover guy, and with more man being played in secondaries around the league, it is probably the reason he isn't getting any offers. I always wondered why he played the field corner and not the boundary or half, and I believe that is the reason. His anticipation skills made him a natural for zone coverages, and under Rich Stubler he was phenomenal.

[argolio]

Good list, '87. I think if Schultz rates, so does Kelvin Pruenster. Never an all-star (IIRC) but a long-term starter at tackle and won two Grey Cups.

Pruenster was very underrated. So was Ian Beckstead once he was able to eliminate the holding penalties.

[Wobbler]

It's nice that Parker chose to do this. When was the last time that another former Argo went through the rigmarole to make this happen?

[1argoholic]

Another moment I felt sad during this game. Parker comes back up here for this huge moment in his life and there are just a few of us there to give him a cheer.

[ArgoGabe22]

Just curious, other than a salute to the organization and an additional team on his football resume, are there any perks to retiring as a member of the Argos say instead of just quietly filling out papers, with no interest from clubs?