CityNews Rewind 2012: Argos claim the 100th Grey Cup

It looked like Toronto sports fans were destined to absorb another sad stretch of suffering as the year wound down.  The injury-plagued Blue Jays finished second last in the AL East, well below expectations. The Toronto Raptors packed it in with a wince-inducing 22–43 record that kept them well out of the playoff picture. And the Maple Leafs were sidelined by a stifling NHL lockout that left hockey fans seething.

After finishing the regular season with a mediocre 9-9 record, not many were expecting the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts to satiate a city’s collective thirst for a hometown championship.

But that’s exactly what happened when the Boatmen gelled just in time for a playoff run that led them to the Grey Cup final against the Calgary Stampeders, where they prevailed 35-22 in front of 53,000 frenzied fans at Rogers Centre.

Click here to read other stories in our CityNews Rewind 2012 series.

The Road to the Cup:

Before they could lay claim to the 100th Grey Cup championship, the Argos had to get past two tough playoff opponents.

First up were the Edmonton Eskimos in the East Division semifinal.

Toronto quarterback Ricky Ray came to life at Rogers Centre, tossing two touchdown passes and running in a TD of his own, while Chad Owens scored on a 59-yard punt return as the Argos won the crucial match 42-26.

The Argos then took to the road for the East Division Final against the rival Montreal Alouettes. The Als had a 2-1 season series lead over Toronto, but when it mattered most the Boatmen rose to the occasion.

Ray was the story once again, tossing for 339 yards to propel the Argos past the Als 27-20 at Olympic Stadium.

The win meant the Argos were heading to the Grey Cup for the first time since hoisting the storied trophy overhead in 2004 after beating the Lions in B.C.

This time, however, they would do it at home.

Grey Cup fever hits Toronto:

The Argos hadn’t won a Grey Cup at home since 1952 (they lost at home in 1982), and the city embraced the team heading into the Sunday match on Nov. 25.

With no NHL hockey being played due to the lockout, Toronto’s collective sports focus fell on the Argos.

The city suddenly went football crazy, and an influx of fans from Calgary added to electric atmosphere.

For 10 days football fans celebrated the historic 100^th Grey Cup.  They were treated to pep rallies, news conferences, a fan march, and a CFL street festival complete with a tailgate party and rib fest.

The rivalry between the two competing cities was upped a notch when Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi challenged Toronto Mayor Rob Ford to a friendly wager on the big game, with the losing mayor to donate his weight in food to the winning side’s local food bank. The losing mayor would also have to don the winning team’s jersey at a council meeting.  Ford accepted the challenge.

Argos get the job done:

While many were expecting a close gridiron war, the Argos took control of the game early and never let up. Toronto’s stalwart defence was credited with shutting down the Stamps, most notably CFL rushing leader Jon Cornish, who could only manage 57 yards under the Boatmen’s searing pressure.

Time and time again Stamps quarterback Kevin Glenn folded in the face of a muscled wall of blue and white.

While the defence was nullifying Calgary’s biggest weapons, the Argos offence was closing the show.

Running back Chad Kackert rushed for 133 yards on his way to being named the game’s MVP, and defensive end Ricky Foley was named top Canadian player.

Chad Owens continued to plow over competitors and Ricky Ray was stellar once again, passing for 231 yards and two touchdowns.

Finally, a parade:

After handily shutting down the Stamps, it was time for Torontonians to finally bask in the glow of a victory parade.

The parade took place on Tuesday, snaking its way from Yonge and Wellington up Bay, towards Nathan Phillips Square.

“Toronto is alive and the CFL is alive in Toronto,” Argos general manager Jim Barker said to a rousing round of applause.

“The city’s got a champion,” special teams captain Mike O’Shea proudly declared.

“You just look down the street and all the people that have come out — I can’t thank them enough for the support. It brings a tear to your eye.”

Mayor Rob Ford even read a proclamation declaring Nov. 27 Toronto Argonauts Day.

“This is a dream come true, folks,” Ford, a huge football fan, said.

And while Ford may have ended up on the losing side of a few key council decisions in 2012, he was the clear victor when it came to his bet with Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, who sheepishly donned a blue and white Argos jersey at council.

Click here to read other stories in our CityNews Rewind 2012 series.