Harrington To Be Named Ata

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts Alumni Association is pleased to announce that defensive end Ed ‘Hercules’ Harrington will be named an All-Time Argo during halftime of the Argos’ Sunday, September 19 game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Rogers Centre. Harrington is the 21st Argonaut to be honoured as an All-Time Argo and have his name lifted to the stadium rafters.

Peter Martin, President of the Argonauts Alumni Association and former teammate of Harrington’s, commented, “Ed Harrington was one of the most complete football players I’ve ever been around. He could play on both sides of the ball, and probably would have if Leo Cahill had asked him, and gave everything he had on every down. He was a good teammate who was intensely competitive on the field and a mild mannered community leader off the field. His character and play embodied Argonauts football which is why he is so deserving of this honour.”   

Harrington, nicknamed Hercules for being named the Oklahoma State Weightlifting Champion three years in a row, played nine seasons in Double Blue and was named an East Division All-Star four times and a CFL All-Star on three occasions. #54 dressed in eight (8) post-season games and suited up in one Grey Cup game for Toronto, a loss to Calgary in 1971. His two career touchdowns by fumble return as an Argonaut are still tied for most in club history, and twice he led the team in fumble recoveries in 1968 and 1969.

Commented Harrington on the honour, “During my years as an Argonauts football player, I always had a great sense of pride in the organization. I was always impressed with the loyalty of the Toronto fans and those people associated with the team. To be considered for an honour such as this is very humbling and most appreciated. I look forward to seeing fans and former teammates and coaches at the ceremony for this presentation. I know that I am joining a number of other deserving players in receiving this honour.”

Harrington attended Langston University in his home state of Oklahoma where he met future Argos teammate, and fellow Oklahoma-native, Granville Liggins. His rights were first acquired by legendary Argos coach and general manager Leo Cahill who brought him to the Toronto Rifles of the Continental Football League and later to the Argonauts.                 

In addition to being a great football player, Harrington was also a dedicated community ambassador who spent his downtime mentoring youth in Toronto. In 1967, while still playing football, he began working at the local YMCA with underprivileged teens. He was later named Physical Director of the Toronto YMCA, a position he held for several years. Harrington retired from football and worked in the Ontario Ombudsman office for 12 years. He also worked as a patient advocate at both the Whitby, Ontario and North Bay, Ontario Psychiatric Hospitals.

Harrington offered a message to local youth, “During my time with the team, I also worked with teenagers in the city of Toronto and always encouraged them to look at their performance of yesterday.  I would like to say to the teenagers of today: Always give your best effort in everything you do and you can look back with pride on your performance in any endeavour you choose.”

On game day, Harrington will join Leo Cahill pre-game at Gate 9 at Rogers Centre to meet fans and participate in an autograph signing session from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.