CFL Toronto Argonauts

Argonauts announce trade with Eskimos

Published on April 22, 2005 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release


Mississauga – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club have reached a trade agreement with the Edmonton Eskimos. The deal will see offensive lineman Sandy Annunziata sent to Edmonton in exchange for future considerations.

Adam Rita, Argo Vice President, Football Operations, commented on the trade, "It's always sad to lose a guy like Sandy who has been an important part of our football program. We have some exciting, young players coming up in the ranks who we look forward to seeing develop."

SANDY ANNUNZIATA #65

Offensive Lineman

6'3", 295 lbs, Non-Import

University of Western Ontario

Born: October 11, 1969

Entering 10th Year CFL

Acquired: Re-signed with Toronto February 12, 2004.

2004: Did not dress in either pre-season game due to injury...Was placed on IR from Weeks 1-3...Weeks 4-5, dressed as a backup behind Dave Costa at right guard...Week 6, made first start of season on the O-line, started at right guard started at guard from weeks 8 to 11. then again from weeks 14 to 19 ...Week 12, split time at right guard with Dave Costa vs Hamilton...Week 14, started at right guard and replaced in the third quarter by Mike Mihelic in Winnipeg, made 1 DT... Playoffs started at right guard for East Semi-Final vs Hamilton at SkyDome...Started at right guard in East Championship vs Montreal...Grey Cup Championship Started at right guard for 92nd Championship in Ottawa vs BC.

2003: Started at left guard in both pre-season victories over Hamilton...started at left guard from weeks 3 to 9...did not play in week 10, week 11 or week 12 to an injury...returned to the Argos starting offence in week 14 at his usual position, guard and remained as the starting Guard through to Week 19.

2003 Playoffs: started at guard for the Argonauts in the East Division Semi-final and the East Division Championship.

2002: Annunziata was a standout on the Argos offensive line in 2002, earning the team's nomination for CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman and Eastern All-Star honours...dressed for all 18 regular-season games, starting 15 games at right guard...saw his first career playoff action when he started at right guard in both the Eastern Semi-Final and Final games.

2001: Played and started in all 18 games during the 2001 regular season...was a part of an offensive line that allowed running back Michael Jenkins to break the Argonaut single-season rushing record with 1,484 yards...in the season opener against Montreal, Annunziata started at centre...started at centre once again against Winnipeg before making the move to right guard for the team's match-up with Hamilton on July 20...started at right guard for the next eight games before making the switch back to centre on September 21 against Edmonton...made the move back to right guard where he started for the duration of the regular season.

2000: Traded to Toronto on June 30, 2000 by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as the past considerations for the trade that sent LB Mike O'Shea to Hamilton on June 11, 2000...had a solid outing in his Argonauts' debut playing at left tackle vs. Saskatchewan 06/07/00...moved to right guard vs. Hamilton on July 28 and shifted over to centre against Winnipeg on August 10 due to an injury to Chad Folk...made the move back to right guard vs. B.C. on August 24, and then moved to left tackle against Hamilton on Labour Day...made his move to centre permanent as he started in the middle vs. Saskatchewan on September 15...finished the season at centre as the Argos defeated the eventual East Division Champion Montreal Alouettes 17-11 at Molson Stadium.

1999: Signed with Toronto and played in 5 games...spent time on the practice roster before being released by Toronto on September 13.

1998: Played in 17 games for the Blue Bombers, starting in weeks 17 and 18...finished the season with 2 tackles on special teams.

1997: Signed as a free-agent with Winnipeg on March 5...spent weeks 1-3 on the injured list and was on the practice roster for a portion of the season...suited up and played in the game against Toronto in week 11.

1995: Signed as a free-agent by the Edmonton Eskimos on April 19...played in 7 games as a back-up offensive lineman during his rookie season...was released by Edmonton on September 20.

College: Played for the University of Western Ontario Mustangs from 1989 until 1992...was a member of the Mustangs squad that won the Vanier Cup in 1989 with a 35-10 win over Saskatchewan...was 1st team All-OUAA member in 1992... was named to the 2 team All-OUAA team in 1992.

Personal: Known as "Sandman" as a child, is married to Elissa and has two daughters Alexis and Sydney...is active in various charities and the community... participated regularly in the in Argos' Huddle-Up Against Bullying program... enjoyed restoring his century home and playing basketball, soccer and piano in the off-season.

Check out the Toronto Argonauts Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Canadian Football League Stories from April 22, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central