Pinball: The Making of a Canadian Hero

Michael "Pinball" Clemons came into the Canadian Football League a virtual unknown, but he retired as a sporting hero, and has become a cultural icon. In this day and age of fallen sports stars, Clemons stands out as a true hero-not just for his athletic accomplishments, but also for his humanity and dedication to high ideals. Both on the field and in the community, he has become a role model for Canadians everywhere.Pinball-nicknamed for his ability to bounce off players far bigger than him and still keep his feet- dazzled everyone with his on-field exploits, setting multiple records in a brilliant career that spanned 11½ seasons with the Toronto Argonauts, winning three Grey Cups as a player and collecting many awards along the way, including the Most Valuable Player in the CFL in 1990. He later became head coach of the Argos , turning his athletic prowess into coaching excellence. In 2004, Clemons became the first black coach in the history of the CFL to hoist the Grey Cup in victory, or even to coach in the annual championship.Clemons became a Most Valuable Person off the field, too, giving generously of his time to charity, worthy causes, and his legions of fans. He is the front man of the Argos ' initiative Stop The Violence - We Are Toronto, a campaign to stop violence in the Greater Toronto Area; and in 2006, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty appointed Clemons to chair the Youth Challenge Fund, a provincial government program contributing significant funds to local programs, training and jobs for at-risk youth. Today, Coach Clemons has become an enduring Canadian personality, well known beyond the city he has made home.Award-winning journalist Perry Lefko takes us through the life and times of this pint-sized legend. Through countless interviews and first-hand accounts from family members, players, coaches, and Clemons himself, he takes us onto the sidelines, into the dressing room, and into the heart and mind of Michael Clemons-a man of deep loyalty and dedication, a man whom players respect and fans adore, a man with tremendous natural leadership skills, and with important inspirational messages for all Canadians.Perry Lefko is the author of 'Pinball: The Making of a Canadian Hero', published 2006 under ISBN 9780470839096 and ISBN 0470839090.