ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – In 2011, Argos fans twice witnessed history live at Rogers Centre. KR Chad Owens and CB Byron Parker both created ‘I was there moments’ just seven days apart that fans will remember for a lifetime. First, on Friday, October 14, Double Blue supporters watched as Parker tied the CFL record for Most Interception Return Touchdowns in a career (he established a new benchmark just two weeks later). One week after that, Owens did something no player in football history had ever accomplished by surpassing 3,000 combined yards for the second consecutive season, and he did it at home.
Both Owens and Parker had record-setting moments this year as each set new CFL benchmarks at their respective positions.
» Video: Owens3K Milestone
» Video: Parker Sets CFL INT Record
» Video: Parker Ties CFL INT Record
Today, the Canadian Football League announced that both players have been named CFL All-Stars, giving Argos fans another reason to celebrate as the team works this off-season to prepare for what is expected to be a tremendous 2012 season.
He’s already been named the East Division Most Outstanding Special Teams Player and an East Division All-Star for the second straight year, and now Chad Owens is a CFL All-Star at kick returner in back-to-back seasons! Also, for the second straight season, the Flyin’ Hawaiian was named the Biggest Threat to Score from Anywhere as voted by peers in the annual TSN Player Poll. In 2011, Owens led the league, and set a new Argos single-season standard, for kickoff return yards (1,750) and led the CFL in punt return yards (754), both for the second straight season. Owens also led all CFL players with two kick returns for touchdowns. Late this year, he became the first player in professional football history to achieve back-to-back 3,000 yard seasons, joining CFL Hall of Fame RB Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons as the only player to ever do it twice in a career.
CB Byron Parker once again found his way into the CFL record books in 2011. His week 18 interception return for a touchdown against Winnipeg was the ninth of his career, setting the new standard for CFL defensive backs. Parker has set the bar for his position during his seven-year CFL career and 2011 was no different. His five interceptions tied him for the lead in the East, third in the league, and his two touchdown returns co-led the CFL. His 50 tackles on the year were a career-high and his six pass knock downs tied for second-most on the Argos. Already a three-time East Division All-Star, Parker is now a three-time CFL All-Star (2006-07, 2011).
CFL All-Stars were selected by fans, Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and CFL head coaches. In total, the voting panel consisted of 62 voters, plus hundreds of thousands of fans from across the country.