There is one name in Toronto when you say it, everyone knows exactly who you're talking about. That name is "Pinner". Argonaut fans know Michael 'Pinball' Clemons as the young kid with the huge smile and tiny stature who ran side to side on the field, and somehow scored a number of touchdowns for the double blue. He won a Grey Cup as a player, and then when the team was without a leader, hung up the cleats to lead them to victory again, this time as a coach. When he presumably bored himself of that role, he joined the front office and remains the Vice Chair of the organization.
Two rings, numerous records, and the love of a city behind him, Pinner as he's known in these parts received another accolade earlier this month. Michael Clemons, along with 24 others, was named a winner of the 3rd annual Top 25 Canadian Immigrants award. The awards are presented by Canadian Immigrant Magazine and sponsored by Royal Bank of Canada.
Other recipients included former cabinet minister Jean Augustine, business mogul Robert Herjavec and human rights activist Alex Sangha. Pinball is an honourary Torontonian for, not only what he did on the gridiron for the Argonauts but, for his charity work off the field. Widely recognized as one of the most genuine personalities in the city, he never turns down an opportunity to make others smile.
As a season ticket holder, I've had many opportunities to meet and interact with Mr Clemons. At a ticket holder's event, I remember us talking about our families and sharing pictures and stories. Many months later, at a charity breakfast, he came by my table as he made his way around the room greeting every guest (almost 200!) personally. Noticing myself, and the other season ticket holders at the table, he hugged us and stayed until we all were caught up. A man with his stature in the city shouldn't know my name, a lowly fan. But that's the kind of man Pinball is.
I remember another time at a game, a fan wanted his picture with Pinball showing his Grey Cup ring. Pinball, rather than invite the fan down, or come up to meet him, took off the ring (I know!), threw it into the stands (I KNOW!) and said he'd be back for it. For the next ten plus minutes, no one in section 118 paid any attention to the football game 4 rows away. Only one man on earth would share such a gem with the fans who he says "deserve it more than I do". That man is Pinball Clemons.
Congratulations on the latest honour. I don't know what's left for you to gain, Mr Clemons. But whatever you're given, you deserve it and much more.
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