In Praise of Pinball

Win or lose, let's hope Pinball stays.

Not just in football, although having Michael Clemons part and parcel of the Toronto Argonauts seems good for the sport and good for that team.

But let's hope that no matter what, he stays in Toronto.

That notion came to mind last night while reading the bizarre story of the Minnesota Vikings and receiver Troy Williamson. Williamson, according to reports, missed last week's Vikings game against San Diego - a Vikings win - in order to attend the funeral of his maternal grandmother, who was instrumental in raising him as a child.

He helped arrange the funeral, and aided in arranging travel plans for several dozen of his relatives, some of who are apparently in the military. He's also been dealing for weeks with the serious illness of his brother, who was injured in a September car accident and has been slipping in and out of a coma ever since.

So how did the Vikings handle this very, very personal situation? They docked Williamson a game day pay - about $25,000 - for choosing his family over the team.

Maybe there's some circumstance here that will come to light eventually that will make the Vikings appear more humane.

But on the surface, what a bunch of creeps.

Which brings us back to Pinball. If anything, he's put his reputation on the line by bringing in some dubious characters mostly because he believes in second, third and fourth chances, if necessary.

If one of his receivers were to find themselves in a similar situation? Not only would the player be excused, Pinball would probably help arrange the funeral himself and possibly attend with other members of the team.

I guess when you read a story like this one about the Vikings, a franchise that has disgraced itself repeatedly in recent years, you understand that having a real man, a man who has his priorities straight, is an incredible treasure for GTA sporting scene.

Maybe this is Pinball's last season coaching the Argos.

But let's hope its not his last year as a leader in this city.

Comments

[Matt]

I spend time around city hall and I often hear the rumour that Paul Godfrey would like to get Pinball to run for mayor. Godfrey has been shut out of city hall for 4 years nows, since Lastman quit, and he's been looking for another puppet.

I think Pinball is wiser than that, but it would be an interesting dynamic seeing Pinball go up against seasoned politicians in a campaign election.

[Jd]

Pinball is a true role model for young people everwhere!

[chris]

I highly doubt Pinball is going anywheres, anytime soon. If he decides to run for mayor, I hope he has the grace to do it on his own terms and not with the help of that Weasel who's trying so desperatly to bring an NFL team to Toronto that he's willing to turn it into a suburb of Buffalo (how does North Torontowanda sound to ya?).

As for the Vikings, creeps is a fairly light word to describe what they did to Troy Williamson. I hope you give them the middle finger up in your end of show segment on TSN The Reporters, Damien.

[bob]

WAY too few people of Mr. Clemons's calibre in professional sports. Who has ever heard anything "bad" about Michael Clemons?

[Roberto Calazar]

I rarely if ever agree with Mr. Cox but in this matter he is absolutely correct. Clemons is a very special man that is a true role model. He is the real deal.

[mike varvouletos]

come on damien pierre mcguire that guy would have atyke team turn on him what has he ever done in hockey other than shoot his mouth off hire someone fresh like john anderson or some one like pat quinn he really knew how to work you he really knew how to pump his team up