Statue of John Candy Outside BMO Field

**Scooter McCray** · 10-21-2015, 10:50 AM

As we set our sights on better days at BMO Field next season, as fans who would like to support a grassroots movement to have a statue of John Candy erected outside the stadium for all to walk past?

We all know of the Ted statue outside Rogers Centre. It is a source of pain and abandonment shared by most Argo fans as we file past each game. This statue of John would be a source of pride and love for our team. Heaven knows the Argos should have something to say this is our stadium too. It would be something I am sure TFC fans can live with. Who doesn't love John Candy and everything he represented?

I am sure that it would be touched by many on their way into the stadium.

Any thoughts?

**T-Bone** · 10-21-2015, 10:53 AM

Are you planning to crowd source funds for this?

**Scooter McCray** · 10-21-2015, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by 1argoholic

Lets just get into the stadium first. Hey I love John Candy and I wouldn't mind but it's a long shot to think that anything Argo related would be done.

John Candy is beloved by us as Argo fans because he was an Argo fan too. But he represented his city and country abroad and deserves recognition for his other achievements too. John Candy was an Argo, but he was more than that too and I would like to know why someone would not see this as appropriate.

Originally Posted by T-Bone

Are you planning to crowd source funds for this?

I am hoping it is something the city and/or new ownership would like to do in conjunction with private donors. Is the stadium city owned? We have statues all over the city. John's deserves to be outside wherever his Argos call their home.

**Rocket** · 10-21-2015, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by T-Bone

Are you planning to crowd source funds for this?

With the amount of excuses and the we can't do this attitude I just wondering t-bone do you work or have any connections with the current Argo regime?

Anyways as far as statue I would be more so in favour of a pinball Clemons one then a owner. Pinball was one of the greatest players with the Argos and he has done so much charity work in The city.

**1argoholic** · 10-21-2015, 11:01 AM

Lets just get into the stadium first. Hey I love John Candy and I wouldn't mind but it's a long shot to think that anything Argo related would be done.

**T-Bone** · 10-21-2015, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by 1argoholic

Lets just get into the stadium first.

I have to agree with you here. I think this purposal would go over better after the Argos have played at BMO Field for a few years. Also, I have nothing against John Candy but I think sports stars should get statues before owners. Pinball would make more sense in my opinion.

**Scooter McCray** · 10-21-2015, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by T-Bone

I have to agree with you here. I think this purposal would go over better after the Argos have played at BMO Field for a few years. Also, I have nothing against John Candy but I think sports stars should get statues before owners. Pinball would make more sense in my opinion.

My thought process here was that Argo sports stars (which I think is a great idea too) might rub TFC folks the wrong way initially. John Candy would transcend the Argos but be a source of immense pride by Argo fans too.

Why wait? We either have a long term home, with long term committed owners or we don't. If we don't we move the statue to wherever the new home of the Argos will be. I want something in place to say we play there too for next season. The Grey Cup will be there next year too. We don't need to wait.

T-Bone, you mentioned on a previous post about negativity and being positive. This is an idea that is positive and can mend bridges with the other tenant without pissing them off. Here's your chance to be positive. Let's go. You can do it. Get hyped with me, as Carl Brazley used to say.

**T-Bone** · 10-21-2015, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by Scooter McCray

T-Bone, you mentioned on a previous post about negativity and being positive. This is an idea that is positive and can mend bridges with the other tenant without pissing them off. Here's your chance to be positive. Let's go. You can do it. Get hyped with me, as Carl Brazley used to say.

There is a difference between positivity and being realistic. Realistically, I don't think your idea would "mend bridges" with TFC fans. A statue paid for or partially paid for by the city outside BMO Field that is not related to TFC will piss off TFC fans. Maybe if a statue of a TFC player(s) was already out there it would be a different story but something tells me it would still rub many the wrong way. Also, honestly I don't know securing funding for a John Candy statue would be all that easy. I'm not trying to be negative, just realistic.

Originally Posted by Rocket

With the amount of excuses and the we can't do this attitude I just wondering t-bone do you work or have any connections with the current Argo regime?

I do not work for or have any connection with Argos management other than being a season ticket holder.

Originally Posted by Rocket

Anyways as far as statue I would be more so in favour of a pinball Clemons one then a owner. Pinball was one of the greatest players with the Argos and he has done so much charity work in The city.

Look, we agree on something. I think funding for a Pinball statue might be easier to secure but I think it would still be tough.

**Rocket** · 10-21-2015, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by T-Bone

There is a difference between positivity and being realistic. Realistically, I don't think your idea would "mend bridges" with TFC fans. A statue paid for or partially paid for by the city outside BMO Field that is not related to TFC will piss off TFC fans. Maybe if a statue of a TFC player(s) was already out there it would be a different story but something tells me it would still rub many the wrong way. Also, honestly I don't know securing funding for a John Candy statue would be all that easy. I'm not trying to be negative, just realistic.

I do not work for or have any connection with Argos management other than being a season ticket holder.

Look, we agree on something. I think funding for a Pinball statue might be easier to secure but I think it would still be tough.

Don't think funding would be the problem. Main problem is the weak ownership group who has yet to stand up for this franchise and tell what direction the Argos are heading to. When you have ml$e saying there will be no Argos signage or any type of awareness that the Argos play at bmo field besides on game day and convincing tfc fans that it would be ok.

**timlb01** · 10-21-2015, 11:05 AM

I am good with John Candy, but is he really the first guy to come to mind. What about Leo "the mouth" Cahill? He would be my choice. Others would argue for Pinball etc......

**Scooter McCray** · 10-21-2015, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by timlb01

I am good with John Candy, but is he really the first guy to come to mind. What about Leo "the mouth" Cahill? He would be my choice. Others would argue for Pinball etc......

This would be a start, and someone who could be seen as neutral as opposed to Argo only. Also he is no longer with us and this would be a fitting tribute to the man who loved this team, and may have died for this team.

**1argoholic** · 10-21-2015, 11:18 AM

I'm in for Uncle Buck! Sounds good to me when you think about it.

**argonaut11xx** · 10-21-2015, 12:53 PM

The city of Toronto has a bronze statue of Winston Churchill in storage. Same build as Candy ,might be ok with a bit of a makeover.

**Double Dare** · 10-21-2015, 01:29 PM

Won't happen.

**Scooter McCray** · 10-21-2015, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by Double Dare

Won't happen.

Accessing 5 sq. feet of space to erect a statue is impossible? Why?

**paulwoods13** · 10-21-2015, 01:43 PM

I vote for DeRosario.

That's a joke, BTW. I don't actually want any statues there. I want a great venue that fans of both teams love going to without viewing the other team as the enemy, and I'm confident that's what we'll get. Candy and other Argo greats can and should be honoured in other ways.

**Scooter McCray** · 10-21-2015, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by paulwoods13

I vote for DeRosario.

That's a joke, BTW. I don't actually want any statues there. I want a great venue that fans of both teams love going to without viewing the other team as the enemy, and I'm confident that's what we'll get. Candy and other Argo greats can and should be honoured in other ways.

I am all for that. The Argos need a home. RC decked out in BJ banners, and signage everywhere, Ted statue, just has not been a proper home fitting of such a storied franchise rich in history and individuals that are part of the fabric of this city.

**paulwoods13** · 10-21-2015, 03:50 PM

Who gets statues made from public funds these days? Should Jim Carrey have a statue in Burlington? Should Gordon Lightfoot have one in Orillia? Lorne Greene wherever he's from? I just don't think erecting statues is something communities do these days and I am not at all surprised Candy has not been recognized by Newmarket, Toronto or any other municipality.

**Scooter McCray** · 10-21-2015, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by paulwoods13

Who gets statues made from public funds these days? Should Jim Carrey have a statue in Burlington? Should Gordon Lightfoot have one in Orillia? Lorne Greene wherever he's from? I just don't think erecting statues is something communities do these days and I am not at all surprised Candy has not been recognized by Newmarket, Toronto or any other municipality.

It does not have to come from public funds. We just had a Terry Fox statue unveiled in September in Richmond Hill, Toronto did a Jack Layton statue on harbourfront. It still happens. Who put the Ted Rogers statue in front of Rogers Centre?

I just thought it would be a real nice way to remember John, plus a rallying point outside BMO Field. It would be a nice focal point at the new stadium. The more things that can be done to honor Argos past and present the better.