Leon McQuay's fumble selected as #5 on Top 150 countdown

[Will]

I thought it might be an interesting discussion point especially given that two members of the committee, Paul Woods & Mike Hogan, contribute here. It does sound like ranking the fumble that high was a source of debate for the committee.

What say you? Here are Paul and Mike's thoughts:

“There may be no more tragic hero in Canadian football than Leon McQuay. The man known as ‘X-Ray’ – because he was so fast no ordinary camera could possibly capture his incredible speed – might have been the biggest star on an Argo team stacked with them. With his white shoes (which weren’t nearly as common then as they were to become) and his massive thighs, McQuay was not only a threat to score on any given play; he was also incredibly cool. His slip in the rain, causing a fumble – even though the rules say the ground can’t cause a fumble! – sent an Argo Nation that had waited two decades for a Grey Cup into a deep funk that would last another decade. In 1983, when the Boatmen were once again on the verge of winning it all, the Toronto Star published a special section filled with fans’ words of encouragement. The one that stuck out to me then, and resonates still, was a simple two-line poem: ‘I hope the Argos go all the way/so I can finally forget about Leon McQuay.’” – Woods

“In the early days of the committee, this was the one moment that we had the most trouble with, yet at the same time it became an easy decision. This was one of, if not the lowest moment in on-field Argo history. The late 60s, early 70s Argos may have been the most popular in team history – a team overflowing with characters. Just when it seemed the Argos would break their 19-year Grey Cup drought, fate intervened. The play has been discussed often in the ensuing years; would Bill Symons have fumbled? Why run laterally on a slick field? While it’s anything but a positive play in Argo history, it’s without question one the most memorable moments in franchise history and we couldn’t ignore giving it its rightful place on the list, no matter how painful it was.” – Hogan

[paulwoods13]

Here's what Don Landry, also a committee member, said about this on Twitter: "Absolutely. We had lengthy discussions about whether a “bad” moment should or should not be included. In the end, we agreed that McQuay’s fumble was so inexorably linked to Argo lore that it absolutely had to be included. And that it had to be in the top ten."

And here's what I said: "Don and Mike are correct. No history of the 150 biggest moments in @TorontoArgos history would be complete without this one near the top. Sad as it was for Argo fans, it was seismic."

[shayman]

Leon McQuay died at age 45 in 1995. Wouldn't it be nice if the team could invite his grandson, Leon McQuay III, to the 150th game. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_McQuay_III

Red Sox fans eventually forgave Bill Buckner. Maybe we can let the McQuay's know that too.

[OV Argo]

An all-time Argo moment for sure. And that was a fumble; Leon was un-touched to go down and could have picked-up the ball and carried on if he had the chance. That was a very, very tough Stamps D they were up against that game; that Argo D was very good too. Both offences struggled mightily that game with the wet field and against powerful Ds.

Poor Leon; and damn that left coast rain that soaked that field. Looks like Leon had a very decent hole with guard Charlie Bray pulling but Leon thought he could take the sweep wide and then tried to brake/cut when Stamps defenders closed; if he had cut inside a bit sooner ... McQuay was an all-time CFL RB talent IMO - package of blazing speed & power - one of the greatest ball carriers to ever don the double blue, IMO.

[ArgofanIan]

I was wondering about this play / game where if it would rank. To me it should be the top 2 (or 3 ). It really reflected what it was like to be an ARGO fan for it seemed like 35 years. Always thought those big recent grey cup wins against Calgary almost .... made up for this loss.... but not completely

Leon was great.... but in those days.... we were not going to win... felt so bad for Leo , Leon and this great team....

This top 150 list was a great idea... Thanks for everyone who put it together...

Go ARRGOS !!!!

[ArgofanIan]

Leon McQuay died at age 45 in 1995. Wouldn't it be nice if the team could invite his grandson, Leon McQuay III, to the 150th game. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_McQuay_III

Red Sox fans eventually forgave Bill Buckner. Maybe we can let the McQuay's know that too.

Agreed.... That would be great