Chad Owens News

[Stevoman]

Is living in Canada full time now! He's a valuable member of the franchise and hopefully he can do more marketing/appearances for the team, as they definitely need a recognizable face!
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cf...nada-1.2894651

[jerrym]

Great news! With his gung-ho attitude, he could be one of the few bright spots, especially when compared to the last year's marketing disaster if he is used in an appropriate manner.

[Double Dare]

Maybe he can train under Georges St. Pierre. Ha.

[gilthethrill]

Yes excellent news. I think we can expect another 3 years of great uniformed service from Chad. How is the real estate market in Mississauga? I hope the Owens were able to put down a nice down payment and get a low interest rate on their matrimonial home.

[Fumblitis]

Could Chad be this generation's version of Pinball...the ultimate Argonaut ambassador?

[Bleeds Double Blue]

Could Chad be this generation's version of Pinball...the ultimate Argonaut ambassador?

That's exactly what I was thinking. You are a very smart guy.

[Fumblitis]

That's exactly what I was thinking. You are a very smart guy.

Great minds think alike!

[argos1873]

Could Chad be this generation's version of Pinball...the ultimate Argonaut ambassador?

Not at all a slight on Chad, but I don't think he could ever match Pinball as an ambassador. Chad has his own sort of charisma, but very few in the whole world can match Pinball's charisma. But he's the go to guy now for any sort of current player ambassador, and I'm glad he's decided to live in the GTA full time.

All I'm saying, as if it needs to be said, is that Mike Clemons is the most genuine pro athlete that's ever come through Toronto. No one is ever going to match him. That being said, if the CFL wasn't viewed in such a 2nd rate way in Toronto, Chad Owens would be a superstar here both for his on the field performances, and his charisma. Well he's a superstar in most Argo fans minds, and I guess that's all that should count. But instead a guy like Kyle Lowry is heralded....maybe he's a good guy too, but I bet he flee's TO the second the Raptor's lose. Just saying, I don't know, I don't follow basketball much.

[1argoholic]

Firstly I LOVE Chad but I totally agree with argos1873's comments.

[Argocister]

Chad Owens living in the GTA year round is excellent for the Argos .... and of course for his family as well!

I can see Chad creating his own personna that will filter into the community. Its a win win for both the Argos and Chad ..... can we still call him the Flyin' Hawaiian?

Can't even think of a similar name with Mississauga at the core.

[jerrym]

Not at all a slight on Chad, but I don't think he could ever match Pinball as an ambassador. ... All I'm saying, as if it needs to be said, is that Mike Clemons is the most genuine pro athlete that's ever come through Toronto.

As good an ambassador as Chad, could be I agree no one could match Pinball. Without Pinball during 2003, the Argos would have died as they faced bankruptcy and many players were not paid. IMO, no player has had a greater impact on his team in modern sport history.

When he was the head coach, Michael Clemons would often begin practice by shaking hands with every spectator on the sidelines. And there were times when he made every member of the Toronto Argonauts do the same, turning the dozen or so spectators into a surprised receiving line for a team of sweaty professional football players.The players got handshakes.
Clemons got hugs.
And while they called him by his given name, it was not the name given to him by his mother. It was the name he earned as a player, then as coach, ambassador and as perhaps the lone figure who could transcend football in Toronto: Pinball.

“I’m not sure anyone could ever be another Pinball,” Argos chief executive Chris Rudge said with a smile. ...
In 2000, the Argos were bad on the field and worse at the gate. Ownership was struggling for ideas. To quell the fire, they turned to Clemons.
He retired as a player to become the coach. And the team started winning again.
Clemons was the face of the team again three years later, during a gruelling summer when many key players lost money as the Argos descended into bankruptcy. He faced cameras every day, deflecting attention. And the team rallied, narrowly missing the Grey Cup.
He has been approached to run for mayor of Toronto more than once.

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/...the-franchise/

[Argo57]

As good an ambassador as Chad, could be I agree no one could match Pinball. Without Pinball during 2003, the Argos would have died as they faced bankruptcy and many players were not paid. IMO, no player has had a greater impact on his team in modern sport history.


http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/...the-franchise/

[/COLOR]

Have met Pinball many times, a one in a million guy!!
My son had his Ticat gear on at an Argo game late in this past season at Skydome, Pinball saw him gave him a high five, big hug and we got a photo with him.
CFL fans from all cities like and appreciate him as well which says a lot about him.

[doubleblue]

As good an ambassador as Chad, could be I agree no one could match Pinball. Without Pinball during 2003, the Argos would have died as they faced bankruptcy and many players were not paid. IMO, no player has had a greater impact on his team in modern sport history.


http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/...the-franchise/

[/COLOR]

I remember those days when Pinball was the Coach. I had the opportunity at the time to attend many practices and Michael would sometimes sit with the few of us in the small stands at Erindale while his assistants and GM Adam Rita ran the practices. He would leave us at times to work with the ST's etc., but I don't think there has been or ever will be another football Coach of his like. But he still won a Grey Cup.

[AngeloV]

I remember those days when Pinball was the Coach. I had the opportunity at the time to attend many practices and Michael would sometimes sit with the few of us in the small stands at Erindale while his assistants and GM Adam Rita ran the practices. He would leave us at times to work with the ST's etc., but I don't think there has been or ever will be another football Coach of his like. But he still won a Grey Cup.

I too remember those days. Pinball was definitely only a game day decision maker as a head coach. IMO, he was only their for PR purposes (who can possibly be better at handling the media than him?). The assistants really ran the day to day coaching duties.

[ArgoGabe22]

The assistants really ran the day to day coaching duties.

But is there really anything wrong with this? I don't really see Pinball as a football coach but if he has the right people in place and trusts his staff then I don't see why it can't be shouldn't be done again. Coaching isn't only about the Xs and Os, it's also about managing players and staff which I think Pinball excels at. You can have an offensive genius like Bart Andrus but doesn't gain any respect in the locker room.

[argotom]

I remember those days when Pinball was the Coach. I had the opportunity at the time to attend many practices and Michael would sometimes sit with the few of us in the small stands at Erindale while his assistants and GM Adam Rita ran the practices. He would leave us at times to work with the ST's etc., but I don't think there has been or ever will be another football Coach of his like. But he still won a Grey Cup.

Pinball is the nicest human being I have met. Period.
As for Chad, he might have a chance to be the "next" Pinball.

[gilthethrill]

But is there really anything wrong with this? I don't really see Pinball as a football coach but if he has the right people in place and trusts his staff then I don't see why it can't be shouldn't be done again. Coaching isn't only about the Xs and Os, it's also about managing players and staff which I think Pinball excels at. You can have an offensive genius like Bart Andrus but doesn't gain any respect in the locker room.

Whoa whoa whoa Mr. Kotter!!! Bart Andrus an offensive genius?

[AngeloV]

But is there really anything wrong with this? I don't really see Pinball as a football coach but if he has the right people in place and trusts his staff then I don't see why it can't be shouldn't be done again. Coaching isn't only about the Xs and Os, it's also about managing players and staff which I think Pinball excels at. You can have an offensive genius like Bart Andrus but doesn't gain any respect in the locker room.

Nothing wrong with that, but just don't confuse him as being a real football coach. He's a great motivator yes, but it is rather odd to have your GM running practice (as Rita did), while the head coach hangs with the fans. As I said, he was really only the game day decision maker.

[Will]

Pinball had a great defensive co-ordinator in Stubler that probably helped him. I can't speak for the offense as things were a little more unstable on that side of the ball in terms of coaching.

[Double Dare]

Case in point ... this thread started out to be a Chad Owens thread and now it is a Michael Clemons thread. The Flyin' Hawaiian will never be a Pinball.