ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
Argos’ RB Jamal Robertson doesn’t say much; he lets his play do the talking. After a big gain, Robertson is seen trash talking defenders about as often as he is seen showboating in the endzone following a touchdown. Which is almost never.
Robertson was undoubtedly the Argos’ most productive weapon in 2009, finishing with a career-high 1,031 yards on the ground to accompany 9 touchdowns on 209 carries. Doing so, made him the first Argos running back to eclipse the 1,000 yard mark in a single-season since Michael Jenkins put together back-to-back campaigns in 2001 and 2002. In addition, he posted 482 yards through the air on 59 receptions out of the backfield and was named the Argonauts’ team nominee for Most Outstanding Player.
“I 
started something here and I definitely want to see it finished. I want to keep building with the organization and push forward…I definitely want to be back (next season). Not only is this a great city to be in but this is a good organization to be in and we have a nice corps of guys. I know that if you gave us another opportunity together that it would definitely be a different ending”.
– Argos RB Jamal Robertson about returning to the club next season
However, 2009 marked more than just a breakthrough season for Jamal on the field. His play was the direct result of how he quickly became the face for an organization searching for an identity. With the Argos’ superstar KR/RB Dominique Dorsey out of uniform for most of the season, Robertson became the Argos’ go-to guy away from the field as well.
Number 25 jerseys became more prevalent throughout the Rogers Centre crowd and more days than not, Robertson was the one that local media requested for answers regarding the Argos’ offence. Perhaps his biggest accomplishment off the field in 2009 was being chosen as one of the four youth ambassadors for the Argonauts, massive Level The Playing field initiative, which brought the game of football back in to four Toronto Area schools.
It is the Eastern Commerce Cougars that have benefited the most from Robertson’s leadership as the running back has taken on the responsibility of attending their games, practices and will likely host a classroom seminar about the importance of being a leader in the community.
As he cleaned out his locker and addressed the media for the final time this season, Robertson remained humbled when approached by reporters this weekend. When asked if he is going to take any time this off-season to reflect on some of his personal accomplishments, Robertson answered the only way he knows how.
“It’s kind of hard to celebrate because you did some good things but nothing came from it as far as victories were concerned. It’s good on a personal note but I wish that there could have been a better outcome (in the win column)”.
After a career-defining 2009 season, one that was filled with personal milestones but riddled with struggles on offence as a whole, Robertson is now faced with a decision as the Argos head in to what is sure to be a long off-season.
All of thatt said, the Ohio Northern grad is set to become a free agent in February for the first time since joining the Argonauts via trade in June of 2008. In typical Jamal Robertson fashion, the soft-spoken back did not go in to too much detail about his contract status for next year but he did indicate that he would like another opportunity to build on the foundation that he has laid in Toronto thus far.
“I started something here and I definitely want to see it finished. I want to keep building with the organization and push forward”, said Robertson. “I definitely want to be back (next season). Not only is this a great city to be in but this is a good organization to be in and we have a nice corps of guys. I know that if you gave us another opportunity together that it would definitely be a different ending”.