News
December 21, 2022
They share a first name and a great legacy with the Toronto Argonauts, yet were adversaries in the 109th Grey Cup. Michael “Pinball” Clemons and Mike O’Shea are two of the most popular Argos in recent memory. Both fan favourites, both were great players that approached the game from different directions. Pinball utilized his amazing speed, finesse and willpower while O’Shea’s game was predicated on physicality and violence.
A talent out of Dunedin, Florida – Pinball began his career with the National Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs. He spent one season in the NFL, predominately as a punt returner before joining the Argos in 1989.
Known for his diminutive size and strong balance, Pinball contributed to making some key plays during his playing days with the Double Blue as a running back and receiver, while starring on special teams. His unique talent twice led him to set the CFL single-season all-purpose yards record in 1990 (3,300 yards) and again in 1997, with a then record of 3,840 all-purpose yards.
Winning the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player Award in 1990, Clemons went on to capture three Grey Cup championships, winning in 1991 and later contributing to back-to-back championships in 1996 & 1997 on the powerhouse Doug Flutie led squads.
Transitioning from a player to a head coach, Pinball first captained the ship in 2000. Known for his leadership qualities and team-first mentality coaching style, Pinball guided the Damon Allen led Argos to a championship in 2004.
Eight years later Pinball found himself in an advisory role when the Ricky Ray led Argos won the 100th Grey Cup, capturing the trophy in front of the hometown faithful. It was another rollercoaster five years until the Double Blue recaptured the grand prize in the 105th Grey Cup in 2017.
Pinball was hired as the GM to bring the franchise back to prominence in October 2019. Building a new culture, Clemons revamped the roster and hired head coach, Ryan Dinwiddie. The result was a turnaround that saw the Argos come up one game short of the big game in 2021.
The previous season’s loss motivated Pinball to continue to upgrade the roster.
Beginning with a rollercoaster start to the 2022 campaign, Toronto put together a second half run, winning seven of the final nine matches to finish 11-7 and capture the East Division – eventually prevailing over rival Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Final to punch their ticket to the 109th Grey Cup.
Mike O’Shea has a similar story in terms of contributing to the Argos. Commonly referred to as “Osh”, he played with Pinball for four seasons and later found himself coached by Clemons.
Selected by Edmonton in the 1993 CFL Canadian College Football Draft, Mike O’Shea was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats where he played for three seasons. The linebacker departed the Hammer as a free agent to team up with Pinball and the Argos prior to the 1996 campaign.
Known for his tough-minded, gritty personality – O’Shea was a fierce competitor on the field. His mental toughness and aggressive playing style gave him a leadership role on the defensive side of the ball during the Argos 1996 & 1997 Grey Cup championship victories.
The North Bay native returned to the Argos for a second stint in 2001. With his friend Pinball now wearing the headset, O’Shea captained the Double Blue defence for the next eight seasons. Most notably, he became the first Canadian and third player in CFL history to record 1,000 career tackles.
Named to the All-Time Argos Team in 2007, he hung up his Double Blue uniform in 2009 and retired with the most sacks and tackles by a Canadian in CFL history.
Transitioning into coaching, O’Shea spent four seasons with the Double Blue as a Special Teams Coordinator, winning the 100th Grey Cup in 2012. His philosophy and gritty mindset he once had on the field would be practiced when O’Shea landed the head coaching job for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2014.
After rebuilding the organization and changing the culture, O’Shea turned Winnipeg into an elite championship contender, having made the playoffs each of the past six seasons.
At the time the Bombers had the longest active Grey Cup drought in the CFL. O’Shea guided the Bombers on an historic run in 2019, winning every playoff game on the road, then capturing the franchise’s first Grey Cup since 1990.
With the 2020 season cancelled, Winnipeg had the extra year to prepare for a championship run, benefitting from a shortened 2021 campaign – eventually culminating in a Grey Cup overtime thriller – becoming the first team to capture back-to-back Grey Cups since the 2009-2010 Montreal Alouettes.
O’Shea’s 2022 Bombers put together a juggernaut offensive unit and defensive corps, cruising to a 15-3 regular season record, setting up a Grey Cup for the ages between two legends who once shared the field together.
Earlier in the season, the two teams met at BMO Field on July 4th, where the Argos fell a missed conversion short of tying the game, giving the Bombers a wild 23-22 win.
On a cold night in Regina, Saskatchewan – Mosaic Stadium became known for hosting the most thrilling finish in recent Grey Cup memory; two blocked kicks, one champion.
In the heartland of CFL Football, Pinball’s Argos were back in the Grey Cup after a five-year absence, aiming to go 7-0 in Grey Cup appearances since Clemons joined the team. On the latter, O’Shea’s powerhouse Bombers, were seeking to win a rare third straight title and establish a dynasty.
The two close friends turned into adversaries on Grey Cup Sunday. A back-and-forth affair, O’Shea’s coaching fortitude had the Bombers in the lead in the final quarter. Pinball’s leadership and team chemistry mindset got the last laugh as the Double Blue fought and rallied to take a one-point lead, which culminated in the defense making key interceptions and a blocked field goal that sealed Pinball’s Argos a Grey Cup title, denying O’Shea’s Bombers of an historic three-peat.
With the 2023 campaign approaching, Pinball’s Argos and O’Shea’s Bombers will square off for a Grey Cup rematch for a Friday Night Football showdown on September 29th.
The Argos celebrate their 150th anniversary for the upcoming season and will be on a mission to capture back-to-back championships at the 110th Grey Cup in Hamilton.