- 1953
- 1983
- 1991 to 1997
- 2004 to 2017
-
Argonauts Team Formation
Based in Toronto, Ontario, the team was founded in 1873 and is the oldest existing professional sports team in North America still using its original name, and they are the oldest surviving team in both the modern-day CFL and East Division. The team’s origins date back to a modified version of rugby football that emerged in North America in the ... -
Grey Cup Champs 1983
The 71st Grey Cup was the 1983 Canadian Football League championship game played at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver between the Toronto Argonauts and hometown BC Lions. The Argos narrowly defeated the Lions 18-17, claiming their first Grey Cup victory in 31 years. -
Grey Cup Champs 1991 – 1997
Grey Cup 1991 The 79th Grey Cup was the 1991 Canadian Football League championship game played between the Toronto Argonauts and the Calgary Stampeders at Winnipeg Stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Argonauts defeated the Stampeders 36-21 in an entertaining game. Grey Cup 1996 The 84th Grey Cup, also known as The Snow Bowl, was the 1996 Grey Cup Canadian Football League championship game played between the Toronto Argonauts and the Edmonton Eskimos ... -
Grey Cup Champs 2004 – 2017
Grey Cup 2004 The 92nd Grey Cup game took place on November 21, 2004, at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario. The game decided the championship of the 2004 Canadian Football League season. The Toronto Argonauts defeated the BC Lions 27-19. This is the first Grey Cup game to be played on the next-generation FieldTurf surface. Grey Cup 2012 The 100th Grey Cup was a Canadian football game between the East Division champion Toronto Argonauts and the West Division champion Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian ...
History of the Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian Football League (CFL) team based in Toronto, Ontario. The franchise was founded in 1873 and is North America's oldest professional sports team, still using its original name. Throughout their long history, the Argos have won seventeen Grey Cups, more than any other CFL or NFL franchise.
The Argonauts began to gain notoriety after they joined the newly formed Interprovincial Rugby Football Union (IRFU) league as one of four teams for its inaugural season of 1907. Since then, they have played an integral role within this league which has since been renamed to become today’s CFL East Division that includes five teams, including Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes, amongst others, competing against each other for top honors every year during the regular season play and playoffs leading up to championship game known as ‘Grey Cup’ that is held at the end of November/early December annually across Canada with highest attendance records not just from local fans but also from all over world who watch the most exciting final match between two finalists vying for trophy title!
The Argos traditionally wear double blue uniforms with white lettering on both jerseys & pants accompanied by navy blue helmets featuring the iconic logo depicting a boat sailing through lake waves – symbolizing the city's maritime heritage while giving the nod back to original founding members who were sailors themselves when the club first started way back 1873! They also boast some impressive alumni such as Joe Krol (Hall Of Fame quarterback), Michael "Pinball" Clemons (former head coach & current General Manager), and Damon Allen (longest-serving player ever). All these players are a testament success achieved by the organization throughout the years despite various challenges faced along the way due changing landscape professional football industry today; however, none can deny the fact there will always be a special place reserved within the hearts of many Canadians who grew up admiring the accomplishments made by beloved 'Boatmen' time again proving why they remain one greatest franchises country's sporting history!
Established
1873
City
Toronto
League History
1958 – Present / Canadian Football League
Team History
1873 - Present / Toronto Argonauts
Nickname
Argonauts - The Toronto Argonauts, one of the most iconic teams in the Canadian Football League (CFL), have a unique and exciting history behind their nickname. The team was originally founded in 1873 by amateur athletes who called themselves “the Argonauts” after an ancient Greek mythological story about Jason and his crew sailing to find the Golden Fleece.
The original members chose this name because they felt it represented their journey as they sought excellence on and off the field, just like Jason had done centuries before them. This adventurous spirit has been embodied by all subsequent generations of players who have proudly worn an Argos uniform for more than 140 years now!
In addition to its mythical roots, there are other theories behind why "Argonaut" was chosen as Toronto's football team moniker: some suggest that it may be related to local shipbuilding industries or even tied to Canada’s rich maritime heritage; others believe that since many early players were from Scotland or Ireland where Gaelic is spoken – argonaut translates roughly into “seafarer” which could explain why this particular word was selected for use with such enthusiasm back then too!
Whatever its origin, though - one thing is sure: today, when you think about CFL football in Canada - you can't help but think about our beloved hometown heroes known affectionately as "the Double Blue." Long live The Argoooooooos!!!
Championship
Grey Cup 17
2017, 2012, 2004, 1997, 1996, 1991, 1983, 1952, 1950, 1947, 1946, 1945, 1938, 1937, 1933, 1921, 1914
Stadium
2016 - Present / BMO Field
1989 - 2015 / Rogers Centre
1959 - 1988 / Exhibition Stadium
1916 - 1958 / Varsity Stadium
1898–1907 / Varsity Athletic Grounds
1874–1897, 1908–1915 / Rosedale Field
Owner
2018 - Present / Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
2015 - 2018 / BCE/Kilmer Group
2010 - 2015 / David Braley
2003 - 2010 / Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon
2003 / Canadian Football League
1999 - 2003 / Sherwood Schwarz
1995 - 1999 / Labatt Bewery of Canada
1994 - 1995 / TSN Enterprises
1991 - 1994 / Bruce McNall, John Candy, Wayne Gretzky
1988 - 1991 / Harry Ornest, Carling O'Keefe, Carling O'Keefe Ltd.
1979 - 1988 / Carling O'Keefe Ltd.
1976 - 1979 / Bill Hodgson and Carling O'Keefe Ltd.
1974 - 1976 / Bill Hodgson
1971 - 1974 / Baton Broadcasting Ltd. and Others
1960 - 1971 / John Bassett, Charlie Burns and Len Lumbers
1956 - 1960 / John Bassett, Charlie Burns and Eric Cradock
1873 - 1956 / Community - Widely Held
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
22 / Dick Shatto
31 / Michael "Pinball" Clemons
55 / Joe Krol
60 / Danny Nykoluk
*Blue is this team’s history