Toronto Argonauts
On the 4th of October 1873, a group of rowers in Toronto formed a rugby-football squad to stay fit during the winter months. The Argonaut Rowing Club had existed since 1872 and adopted the name from Greek mythology, where Jason and his crew sailed the Argo to find the Golden Fleece before the Trojan War. This nautical theme inspired their uniform colors: light blue from the University of Cambridge and dark blue from the University of Oxford. The phrase "double blue" became synonymous with the team, reflecting these dual heritage colors. Their first recorded game took place on the 18th of October 1873, against Hamilton, resulting in a victory. H.T. Glazebrook served as the club's first captain and head coach. By the 17th of September 1874, the football club was formally established with a one-dollar subscription fee per player. The team played challenge matches throughout the 1870s, often against university and city teams, though they sat out 1879 due to injuries. In 1883, the Ontario Rugby Football Union formed, making the Argos league victors that inaugural year. A Dominion Championship began in 1884, pitting ORFU winners against Quebec Rugby Football Union champions. The Montreal Football Club defeated Toronto 30, 0 in the first true national championship on the 6th of November 1884.
The Argonauts claimed their first Grey Cup title in 1914, defeating the University of Toronto 14, 2. Jack O'Connor scored a league record 44 points during that season. After World War I halted play, Lionel Conacher led the team to perfect 6, 0 seasons in 1921 and 1922. He accounted for 85 of his team's 167 points in 1921 alone, including 15 points in a 23, 0 victory over the Edmonton Eskimos. This marked the first east-west Grey Cup championship in Canadian history. From 1933 to 1952, the Argos won eight of twenty Grey Cups, establishing dominant dynasties. Lew Hayman coached the team from 1933 to 1941 with an unparalleled winning ratio of 45, 15, 2. Back-to-back championships came in 1937 and 1938. The Stukus brothers, Annis, Bill, and Frank, formed a potent trio during these years. Joe "King" Krol and Royal Copeland, known as the "Gold Dust Twins," were the best-known players of the 1940s. They played multiple positions and led the team to a threepeat between 1945 and 1947. In 1948, Ken Whitlock became their first black player, playing four games before being released. Ulysses "Crazy Legs" Curtis joined in 1950, playing five strong seasons as a featured running back. Frank Clair coached the team to Grey Cup wins in 1950 and 1952. The 1950 victory over Winnipeg was called the Mud Bowl due to heavy rain turning Varsity Stadium into a bog.
A thirty-one-year championship drought began after the 1952 Grey Cup victory, lasting until 1983. A salary cap introduced in 1953 caused many talented players to leave. Under new owner John W. H. Bassett, young talent was traded or allowed to depart rapidly. Coaches came and went frequently, preventing any stable nucleus from forming. Dick Shatto, an Ohioan who played twelve seasons from 1954 to 1965, remained a stalwart despite losing records. He holds team records for touchdowns (91) and total yards gained (6,958). Tobin Rote set passing marks from 1960 to 1962, including a single-game record of 524 yards against Montreal on the 19th of August 1960. Danny Nykoluk played seventeen seasons from 1954 to 1971, missing only one game during a twelve-year stretch. By the 1960s, mid-season American imports became known as the "Argo airlift," often cut before lasting a full game. Leo Cahill coached the team to competitiveness in the late 1960s, signing Joe Theismann in 1971. Attendance bounced back, selling out Exhibition Stadium regularly. Their best chance to end the drought came in the 59th Grey Cup in 1971, lost 14, 11 to Calgary due to a fumble by Leon "X-Ray" McQuay. The 1970s saw numerous coaching changes and consistent losing records despite stellar players like Jim Stillwagon and Granville "Granny" Liggins. In 1981, the team finished 2, 14, starting the year 0, 10. Condredge Holloway was named CFL's most outstanding player that season. Bob O'Billovich hired Mouse Davis to implement the run and shoot offense, leading to a 9, 6, 1 record in 1982.
The Argonauts returned to glory in 1983, defeating BC Lions 18, 17 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. Terry Greer set a CFL record with 2,003 receiving yards that season. Joe Barnes and Condredge Holloway formed a potent quarterback duo. Michael "Pinball" Clemons emerged as one of Toronto's most beloved figures in 1990, setting an all-purpose yardage record of 3,300 yards. He broke it again in 1997 with 3,840 yards. Bruce McNall bought the team in 1991 alongside Wayne Gretzky and John Candy. They signed Raghib "Rocket" Ismail for $18.2 million over four years. Ismail won player of the game in the 1991 Grey Cup victory over Calgary, 36, 21. Matt Dunigan played the final with a broken collarbone. The team slumped to 6, 12 the following year after Dunigan and Ismail departed. Labatt Brewing Company purchased the team in May 1994 for $4.5 million. Don Matthews coached the team to back-to-back championships in 1996 and 1997. Doug Flutie threw 47 touchdowns in 1997, one shy of his CFL record. Derrell "Mookie" Mitchell joined at receiver in 1997. Paul Masotti retired in 1999 as the team's all-time pass reception yardage leader. Clemons ended his playing career in 2000 before returning to coach from 2000 to 2007. A 2004 championship win came under new owners David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski, defeating BC Lions 27, 19. Damon Allen led the team until 2007, retiring with professional football's all-time leading passing yards (72,381). In 2012, Ricky Ray quarterbacked while Chad Owens won Most Outstanding Player awards.
The Argonauts played their first home games at Rosedale Field near Mount Pleasant Road and MacLennan Avenue. Its capacity was estimated at 10,000 total, though O'Leary and Parrish noted a $32,000 renovation in 1883 allowed for 2,000 seated. The field hosted the first Grey Cup game in 1909 with an attendance of 3,807. Varsity Stadium became their permanent home by 1911, hosting dynasties of the 1930s and 1940s. Capacity reached about 16,000 but jumped above 20,000 after a 1950 renovation. It still holds the record for hosting 30 Grey Cups despite no longer hosting professional games since 1958. Exhibition Stadium opened in 1959 as CNE Stadium, accommodating Canadian football. Poor sightlines emerged after conversion to baseball in the 1970s. The 70th Grey Cup in 1982 featured brutal weather conditions that paved the way for a domed stadium. Rogers Centre (SkyDome) served as home from 1989 to 2015, seating up to 50,000 people. Crowds of 30,000 looked sparse inside the dome. Plans to replace artificial turf with natural grass threatened CFL usage. BMO Field renovations completed in May 2015 raised capacity from 21,566 to 30,000 for soccer or 25,000 for CFL configuration. Endzones are only 18 yards deep due to space constraints. Temporary expansion allows 40,000 seats for major events like the Grey Cup. The team moved into BMO Field for the 2016 season following completion of renovations costing $120 million.
For over eight decades, the Argonauts were owned solely by the Argonaut Rowing Club until the 1st of October 1956. A consortium led by John W. H. Bassett, Eric Cradock, and Charlie Burns purchased the team then. Each held about 20% share, with small investors making up the rest. An initial agreement called for a long-term debenture of $400,000 to sustain the rowing club without football income. Bassett arranged a complete buyout of other shareholders for $2.31 million in 1971 through Baton Broadcasting. William R. Hodgson bought the team for $3.3 million in 1974 after opposing owners threatened to rescind his franchise. Carling O'Keefe acquired it for $5.8 million in 1979, becoming a huge benefactor to the CFL with television rights deals reaching $11 million annually by 1984. Harry Ornest bought the team off Carling O'Keefe for $5 million at the end of 1988. Bruce McNall, John Candy, and Wayne Gretzky purchased it for the same amount in 1991. McNall sold the money-losing team to Labatt Brewing Company through TSN in May 1994 for $4.5 million. Sherwood Schwarz took over in 1999 before the CFL briefly controlled the team in 2003 due to debts exceeding $20 million. David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski rescued the organization in 2004. David Braley owned the club from 2010 to 2015. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum and Bell Canada acquired the franchise on the 31st of December 2015. MLSE finalized its outright purchase on the 19th of January 2018.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was the Toronto Argonauts football team formed?
The Toronto Argonauts were formed on the 4th of October 1873 by a group of rowers in Toronto. The club adopted its name from Greek mythology and played its first recorded game against Hamilton on the 18th of October 1873.
Who coached the Toronto Argonauts during their dominant dynasty years between 1933 and 1952?
Lew Hayman served as head coach for the Toronto Argonauts from 1933 to 1941 with an unparalleled winning ratio of 45, 15, 2. Frank Clair later coached the team to Grey Cup wins in 1950 and 1952.
Where did the Toronto Argonauts play their home games before moving to BMO Field?
The Toronto Argonauts played at Exhibition Stadium starting in 1959 and then moved to Rogers Centre which served as their home from 1989 to 2015. They returned to professional play at BMO Field following renovations completed in May 2015.
When was the Toronto Argonauts last owned solely by the Argonaut Rowing Club?
For over eight decades the Argonauts were owned solely by the Argonaut Rowing Club until the 1st of October 1956. A consortium led by John W. H. Bassett purchased the team on that date.
Who is the all-time leading passer for the Toronto Argonauts?
Damon Allen retired with professional football's all-time leading passing yards totaling 72,381 while playing for the Toronto Argonauts until 2007. He led the team through his final season before Ricky Ray took over quarterback duties in 2012.