CFL Toronto Argonauts

Toronto about to get Stoked

Published on February 20, 2006 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release


Toronto - The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is thrilled to announce that it has signed a deal with CFL superstar Keith Stokes through the 2007 season. Stokes most recently played with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers where he broke various team records and was a fan favourite. He was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2004.

Argo GM/Vice President, Football Operations, Adam Rita commented, "We're like the Mounties - we got our man. We believe with his versatility, Stokes can bring an added dimension to our offence. He can play receiver, running back and returns balls up the field to secure great field position for the team. I still have nightmares from our game in Winnipeg in the 2004 season when he returned a kickoff for a touchdown against us right before the half, changing the momentum of the game. I look forward to having that kind of energetic and positive locker room guy on our side of the ball."

Head Coach Michael "Pinball" Clemons remarked, "In the middle of February, the Toronto Argonauts give you exactly what you need - some serious heat to stoke your fire. Yes, pun intended. The addition of Keith Stokes gives us the most dynamic set of returners in league history. Together, Stokes, Levingston, Bruce and Miles have a staggering 29 returns for touchdowns. Not only this, Keith has grown into a very productive receiver that shows flashes of sheer brilliance. Keith - the Argo family welcomes you."

Stokes reacted to the signing, "I'm glad to have found a new home. I have watched the energy in Toronto change over the last couple of years and it's great to see the fans loving the Argos and coming out to the games in a big way. I plan to do what I always do and that is make plays. I look forward to playing with the other Argos and wearing the Double Blue."

Keith Stokes and Adam Rita will be available today in Toronto for a photo op and to answer questions from the media. Here are the details:

DATE: Monday, February 20, 2006

TIME: 2:00 P.M.

LOCATION: Hotel Intercontinental

225 Front Street West

Main lobby

Keith Stokes

Wide Receiver

5'8", 180 lbs.

East Carolina

Born: December 10, 1978

Toms River, New Jersey

1st Year Argo / 5th Year CFL

Import

Acquired: Signed with Toronto as a free agent on February 20, 2006.

2005: Led Winnipeg in kickoff returns with 47 for 1,022 yards and a 21.7 yard average for the second straight year, ...Ranked fourth overall in the CFL in kickoff return yards...Led team in punt returns with 79 for 662 yards and one touchdown...Started nine games as a SB and finished the season second on the team with 58 catches for 832 yards and three touchdowns...Most successful game came on August 13 against Hamilton when he accumulated 139 yards receiving and one touchdown...Finished the season with three 100-yard plus games.

2004: Traded to Winnipeg from Montreal along with a 5th round draft pick (LB Ryan Folk) in the 2004 Canadian Draft in exchange for a 3rd round draft pick (OL Ryan Jeffrey) in the 2004 Canadian Draft and a 2nd round draft pick (RB Jeff Piercy) in the 2005 Canadian Draft and the rights to a negotiation list player on January 26...Named CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player...Named West Division Most Outstanding Special Teams Player...Named a CFL All-Canadian...Named West Division All-Star...Broke Blue Bomber record for most punt returns for a touchdown in one season with four...Had one kick off return for a touchdown...Finished season with 80 punt returns for 949 yards and four touchdowns and had 56 kickoff returns for 1,112 yards and one touchdown.

2003: Signed with Miami Dolphins (NFL) on January 6...Released by Miami on June 11...Played in 15 regular season games for the Montreal Alouettes and dressed for both the 2003 East Division Championship and Grey Cup game...Finished the season with over 2,000 all-purpose yards.

2002: Winner of the Frank M. Gibson Trophy as the Most Outstanding Rookie in the East Division...Named East Division Most Outstanding Special Teams Player...Played in 18 regular season games for Montreal...Tallied 43 receptions for 572 yards and three touchdowns, 76 punt returns for 896 yards and another three touchdowns, 25 kickoff returns for 527 yards and seven missed field goal returns for 355 yards.

College: 2000 Led the East Carolina Pirates in receiving with 35 receptions for 495 yards and three touchdowns...Rushed the ball 14 times for 99 yards...1999 Finished season with 26 receptions for 373 yards and two touchdowns and also carried 8 times for 23 yards, also added one punt return touchdown.

Personal: Keith is the youngest of three children and lives in New Jersey. He enjoys playing soccer and video games, shopping for shoes and spending time with his daughter Jaden who turns two in April. He considers himself a film buff and his favourite movie is Braveheart. His mother is a Pentecostal minister in Alabama.

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Canadian Football League Stories from February 20, 2006


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