Toronto Argonauts fans and players congregated outside of city hall to celebrate the team's 150th anniversary on October 4th 2023.

Mayor Olivia Chow and Michael "Pinball" Clemons, general manager of the Argos and former player, were the hosts of the event. Current and former players on the Argos were in attendance with fans of the team to celebrate.

Eight players attended the event including Henoc Muamba, 2022’s Grey Cup’s most valuable player, and Damon Allen, Canadian Football League record-holder for "All-Time Rushing Yards by a Quarterback."

“This is a team sport and we couldn't do this by standing here alone,” says Clemons. “This sport is so important in our culture. It does so many wonderful things for young people, and it does some pretty good things for old guys like us as well.”

After speeches were done, a special Argo’s flag was raised in honour of the 150 years on the podium roof of city hall. The flag was hoisted by Chow, Clemons and the attending players.

With the team being founded in 1873, the Argonauts it is currently the oldest playing sports team in North America. The team has also been using the same name since they started as a team.

“150 years ago, we started and we were a rowing club. Yes, we were rowers that played rugby during the offseason to stay in shape. Eventually, rugby turned into football and so that's where our history comes from,” says Clemons.

The Argos are younger than Canada by six years and Toronto by 80. In the same year of their creation, Queen Victoria was ruling, John A Macdonald was Prime Minister and Alexander Manning was mayor of Toronto.

In their 150 years, they hold the highest number of Grey Cup wins at 18. Clemons was on the team or coaching for five of those wins. Their first win was on December 5th 1914 against the University of Toronto Varsity Team and five months into World War 1. With their latest win being in 2022 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“The people we really want to point out are those fans who have come for 150 years. They've been faithful. There have been good years and challenging years, and they've always been there,” says Clemons. “The reason we have been around for 150 years is, as much as we'd like to think [it’s the players] because as athletes we're pretty proud guys, is because of our fans.”

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