CFL Toronto Argonauts

Triple threat in Toronto to stay

Published on February 17, 2005 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release


Toronto – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announced today in a media conference that the triple threat of Arland Bruce III, Bashir Levingston and Tony Miles will remain Argos for several more seasons. All three dynamos have extended their contracts with the team. Bruce will remain a Boatman through the 2007 season and Levingston and Miles will wear Double Blue through to 2006. Together, these three receivers and return specialists are virtually unstoppable. Here is a list of their combined accomplishments over the past two seasons alone:

- Combined 2 CFL All-Star Awards (Special Teams & Offence).

- Combined 3 East Division All-Star Awards (Special Teams & Offence).

- Combined 4 CFL Special Teams Player of the Month Awards.

- Combined 12 CFL Special Teams Player of the Week Awards.

- Combined 3 Honourable Mentions for CFL Special Teams Player of the Month.

- Combined 9 Honourable Mentions for CFL Special Teams Player of the Week.

- Combined 16 regular season and post-season kick return touchdowns.

- Combined 5,257 regular season and post season kick return yards.

- In 2003, Levingston & Miles both tied a CFL record for Most Kickoff Return Touchdowns in a Season (2 each).

Arland Bruce III joined the Argonauts in time for the 2004 Labour Day game at Hamilton. He immediately became a fan favourite and was named CFL Special Teams Player of the Week in his first game as an Argo. Bruce went on to earn this honour three times in 2004, as well as receiving two Honourable Mentions for Special Teams Player of the Week and one Honourable Mention for Offensive Player of the Week. Arland also earned CFL Special Teams Player of the Month in September and an Honourable Mention in October. Including playoff games, Bruce had three kick return touchdowns in 2004 and set an Argonauts post-season record for longest kickoff return with a 97-yard return against Montreal. Additionally, he led the CFL in Punt Return Average (19.5 yds/ret) and was second in the league in Kickoff Return Average (24.0 yds/ret).

Arland Bruce III remarked, "First of all, I think Toronto is a beautiful place. It is one of the largest cities in North America and I think there are many opportunities both in football and outside of football for me. It is a great place to raise my family. To bring the same crew we had last year, nothing but good things should happen in the 2005 season. I'm looking forward to being an Argonaut for a full season since last year I came halfway through. I don't think back-to-back championships would be cheating. Now, every time my son sees football on TV he says, ‘AAARRRGGGOOOOSSS!!!!!' All of this is definitely a blessing because the CFL is about to be the hottest sport in 2005."

The electrifying and intense Bashir Levingston was named a 2004 East Division All-Star in this memorable season where he set a new Argonauts record for kick return touchdowns in a career with 11, passing his head coach Mike Clemons for the record. Levingston earned CFL Special Teams Player of the Month twice in 2004 (June/July & October) and was named CFL Special Teams Player of the Week an amazing 4 times this season. He has five kick return touchdowns in 2004 and was third in the League in Kickoff Return Average (23.5 yds/ret). Bashir owns the second and third longest kickoff returns in Argonauts regular season history (97 & 95 yards, both next to Terry Greer, 109 yards). He is also tied for first in Argonauts history for most punt return touchdowns in a season with 3. Bashir also became the proud father of Bashir Jr. this month.

Commented Levingston, "Toronto is the only place I've played for in the CFL and I'm happy to be back. I like playing with my teammates and the new owners are great, as well as both the coaching and front office staff members. I hope to help make the team better in 2005, learn from my mistakes and keep improving as a player. I hope to stay healthy this season and bring home another Grey Cup because I hate losing."

There is almost no one who can make you cheer as loud as he can when he's on the field or laugh as hard when he's off. Tony Miles battled injury for much of the 2004 season but came through in the crunch with 13 catches in the post-season. In 2003, Miles was named CFL All-Star at receiver and was named a CFL Special Teams Player of the Week. He also received an Honourable Mention for CFL Special Teams Player of the Week, as well as CFL Offensive Player of the Week. Tony and his fiancé Nicole are expecting their first child this week.

Tony Miles said of his contract extension, "Toronto is a great place to play and is a great place to grow. I love the city and I extended my contract so that I would put myself in a position to continue to grow on this team. I feel that the Argos are a part of my extended family and families stick together. We are not going into the 2005 season trying to defend the Grey Cup; we are trying to win the Grey Cup. I'm confident in the opportunity we have to win."

Head Coach Michael "Pinball" Clemons noted, "Football is as easy as ABT. Arland is awesome, Bashir is blinding and even more than the cereal, Tony is terrific. Together, they certainly help our football team. But more than that, they are the wisest decision for your entertainment dollar. More adventurous than a hiking expedition, more personal than a video game and running past defenders at the speed of light. In layman's terms, the triple threat means excitement."

Adam Rita, Vice President of Football Operations, stressed, "Speed kills. These guys have the kind of speed and ability to change the complexion of the game quickly, not only on offence but on special teams. Our head coach Mike Clemons and special teams coordinator Marcello Simmons have turned our kicking game into an explosive offensive weapon. Between these three players we have had 16 returns for touchdowns over the last two seasons. The fact that we have signed these young men for an extended period of time gives us long-term power in our arsenal."

The 2004 Grey Cup Champion Toronto Argonauts are North America's oldest professional football club, having celebrated their 130th anniversary in 2003. The Toronto Argonauts have 15 Grey Cup championships to their credit. To purchase 2005 season tickets or to get more information about season ticket packages, please contact the sales team at (416) 341-ARGO. Full roster details are available at www.argonauts.ca.

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Canadian Football League Stories from February 17, 2005


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