THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — Turning down the lure of another shot at the NFL, star kick-returner Chad Owens left money on the table to re-sign with the Toronto Argonauts through the 2013 season Tuesday.
“Definitely, the potential for a whole lot more money,” Owens said on a conference call. “You’re talking about the NFL, the potential to make millions, but I tried to take the money out of the equation.
“If the NFL and CFL paid players the same, I’d be back in Toronto anyway. As an athlete, I got everything you could want and then some from the city of Toronto, from that organization.”
| @andrewstbrown #CO2 aka the Flyin Hawaiin is back watch out @CFL the Argos are going to BC this year #99GC
@LVRoberts Coach #Barker is definitely building something special. @ArgoDiva The best news since…….ever!! @donlandrymedia That Chad Owens re-signing is big for the #Argos. They did something that’s tough for opponents to do: Corral the “Flyin’ Hawaiian.” @SteveLorini BOOOOM! AMAZING! @TorontoArgos GREY CUP HERE WE COME @scratchingpost #Ticats coverage units beware @ArgoGabe22 Great signing, I always knew I could trust Jim Barkers word. @1argoholic I’ve been checking the Argo site every morning and today was a GREAT one. |
The 28-year-old was the CFL’s outstanding special teams player last season, when he led the CFL in combined yards (3,288), punt return yards (1,060), punt return average (12.6), kickoff return yards (1,216), missed field goal return yards (425) and tied for the league lead with four kick-return touchdowns.
The Flyin’ Hawaiian also became the fifth player in league history to accumulate 1,000 punt and kickoff return yards in the same season.
Owens reportedly worked out with four NFL teams before deciding to stay put. The threat of a lockout played a role in his decision.
“I looked at everything. That was part of it,” he said. “I didn’t think it was going to be that hard of a decision. My whole goal growing up as a kid was to go and play in the NFL and I had those opportunities, and another opportunity presented itself this off-season. It ended up being very hard for me, very emotional for me and my family.
“I’m just happy everything is done and I can put my 110 per cent focus into preparing for training camp and to prepare for the chance to win the Grey Cup.”
Argos coach and GM Jim Barker feels that with a year of getting acclimated to the team’s offence, Owens’ role can increase this year.
The Argos went 9-9 last season and beat Hamilton in the Eastern semifinal before losing to Montreal in the division final. Bringing back Owens, perhaps their most important offensive player, allows them to build from there.
“We had an off-season priority of re-signing our players and Chad Owens is one of the prime-time guys we wanted to get,” said Barker. “He epitomizes everything we want an Argonaut to be. We’re thrilled he’s going to be in Toronto.”
Owens is now looking forward to finishing his career with the Argos.
“I’m just very excited, I’m happy this whole thing is over. This year I’ve got one goal in mind and that’s winning the Grey Cup,” he said. “I feel at peace and I know in my heart that I made the right decision.”