Argos exec on way out after being suspended by CFL for fan altercation

The CFL has suspended an Argos exec, who will likely be fired by Toronto

The Toronto Argonauts’ VP of player personnel John Murphy has been fired after a suspension by the CFL following an ugly incident with a fan.

The Toronto Sun reported Saturday Murphy is out and his exit will be made official by the team on Monday.

Murphy was captured on a cell phone issuing a fighting a fan and allegedly issuing a homophobic slur at a fan following the Argonauts’ loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a CFL East final.

Some NSFW language:

The incident led to the league suspending Murphy during Grey Cup week. The CFL championship will be played in Hamilton on Sunday.

The CFL statement:

The Canadian Football League has suspended indefinitely John Murphy, Toronto Argonaut Vice-President Player Personnel, following an investigation into his physical and verbal altercation with fans following last Sunday’s Eastern Final.

Toronto Sun columnist Frank Zicarelli weighed in this week:

When came the ugliness caught on video featuring Argos linebacker Chris Edwards, a pending free agent, rookie receiver Dejon Brissett and fans of the Ticats. Police had to get involved and later laid trespassing charges against the fans in question. That incident is also under review by the league and MLSE.

A bad week made even worse by a bad look and suddenly the Argos have once again become a laughing stock.

 

Former Clemson QB acquired by pro team

A former Clemson quarterback was a part of a trade between two professional teams on Tuesday. The Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League announced they have acquired the negotiation list rights to Chad Kelly as well as a conditional 2022 …

A former Clemson quarterback was a part of a trade between two professional teams on Tuesday.

The Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League announced they have acquired the negotiation list rights to Chad Kelly as well as a conditional 2022 second-round pick in exchange for quarterback Nick Arbuckle in a trade with the Edmonton Elks.

Kelly, 27, was drafted in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos and spent two seasons in Colorado before a two-year stint with Indianapolis from 2019-2020. The 6-foot-2, 216-pounder played four preseason games for the Colts in 2019, starting two, going 54-of-73 (74 percent) for 583 yards and two touchdowns, while adding two touchdowns on the ground.

Kelly began his college career at Clemson in 2012 and redshirted that year before playing one season with the Tigers in 2013, when he went 10-of-17 passing for 58 yards in 55 snaps over five games. After being dismissed from the Clemson football team for conduct detrimental to the team, he played at East Mississippi Community College in 2014 before transferring to Ole Miss in 2015.

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COVID-19 issues lead to CFL postponing game

The Edmonton Elks have COVID-19 issues and their game with Toronto has been postponed

The CFL lost its 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 campaign is underway and it has hit a major pothole.

The league announced Sunday the game between the Toronto Argonauts and Edmonton Elks scheduled for Thursday has been postponed.

“The Canadian Football League is postponing this Thursday’s game in Toronto between the Toronto Argonauts and Edmonton Elks after receiving word earlier today that a number of Elks players have tested positive for COVID-19. This is in keeping with the standard of care for COVID-19 and professional sport. It also reflects our desire to put the health and safety of our players, coaches and staff – as well as public health – above all other considerations.”

The Elks are 1-2 after three games while the Argos have a 2-1 record.

Per CFL.ca:

The Elks will not practice or travel until our Chief Medical Officers and public health officials have assured us it is safe for them to do so. All of the Elks’ Tier One personnel, including players, coaches and support staff will now be subjected to an enhanced testing protocol which includes isolation.

The Elks’ most recent opponent, the BC Lions, will participate in an enhanced protocol and will be monitored closely this week. Upon review with our Chief Medical Officers, we do not believe the Lions were exposed to a high risk of infection. The league is now working to reschedule the game between the Elks and the Argonauts.

Elks players have already been impacted by COVID-19 protocols

Offensive tackle SirVincent Rogers cleared protocols. Linebacker Brian Walker played in Thursday’s 21-16 win over the B.C. Lions, having cleared protocols. Star pass-rusher Kwaku Boateng missed the game due to COVID protocols.

 

Former Tiger released by pro team

A former Clemson football player was released by a professional football team on Tuesday. The Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League announced on Twitter that they released quarterback Kelly Bryant. Bryant played for the Tigers from …

A former Clemson football player was released by a professional football team on Tuesday.

The Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League announced on Twitter that they released quarterback Kelly Bryant.

Bryant played for the Tigers from 2015-18 and graduated from Clemson before transferring to Missouri during the 2018 season to finish out his college career.

He started for Clemson in 2017 and led the team to an undefeated regular season, ACC Championship and appearance in the College Football Playoff.

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CFL linebacker charged with attempted murder in Pittsburgh

Jeffrey Knox Jr. of the Toronto Argonauts is wanted on multiple charges.

A difficult story out of Pittsburgh on Sunday as current Toronto Argonauts linebacker — and former NFL practice squad player — Jeffrey Knox Jr. has been charged with attempted murder.

Knox, who went undrafted in 2014 after playing college ball at California (Pa.), is being charged with two counts of attempted homicide, two counts of aggravated assault, as well as endangerment and firearms violations.

Knox spent time with Tampa Bay, Washington, and Tennessee on their practice squads.

Per Thestar:

Pittsburgh police responded to 911 calls Oct. 23 for two men shot in the city’s South Side Flats area. Police reports say two men were discovered with gunshot wounds to their legs. Both were taken to hospital and were listed in stable condition.

Police also said video footage showed a verbal dispute between three men, with one man —whom they identified as Knox Jr. — striking one of the other men in the face.

Cara Cruz, deputy public information officer for Pittsburgh Public Safety, said the incident occurred in a bar/nightclub area popular with college students.

The Argos said they are “well aware of the charges” and “take these matters seriously,” but have not yet determined how to proceed.

“We are currently looking into it and determining the appropriate next steps for our organization,” the statement said.

The CFL season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Former Michigan State football All-American Tom Yewcic dies at age 88

Michigan State legend and former Boston Patriot Tom Yewcic passed away at 88 years of age this week.

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Unfortunately, we have more sad news. This week, there was another death in the Michigan State community as former MSU football All-American Tom Yewcic passed away at the age of 88.

Yewcic was a member of the 1953 Big Ten Championship team that also won the Rose Bowl, the 1951 and 1952 National Championship teams, and the MSU baseball team that went to the 1954 College World Series.

Yewcic was inducted into the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003. Yewcic was an important piece of those MSU championship teams, where he became an All-American quarterback in 1952. Yewcic also set league season records (at the time) in 1953 for passing with 941 yards and punting with 1,788 yards.

Yewcic would go on to the play for the Detroit Tigers for one game, along with a minor league stint, before heading to the Army in 1955. In 1960, Yewcic signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League before heading to the Boston Patriots in 1961. He would spend six seasons with the Patriots organization, which is now the New England Patriots.

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