ARGONAUTS.CA
TORONTO – The 100th Grey Cup Champion Toronto Argonauts Football Club is thrilled to announce that CFL Most Outstanding Player WR Chad Owens, DT Armond Armstead and CB Patrick Watkins have all been named CFL all-stars for their standout performances during the 2012 season.
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After a dream season that culminated in hoisting the Grey Cup trophy on home turf, WR/KR Chad Owens earned his third consecutive CFL All-Star nod, his first as a receiver. Owens set career-highs on offence and wrapped up the 2012 CFL season leading the league with 1,328 receiving yards. He also finished second in the league in receptions with 94. Owens’ best game of 2012 came on one of the biggest stages when the Flyin’ Hawaiian hauled in 11 receptions for 176 and one touchdown, helping lead the Argos to victory in the final Labour Day Classic at Ivor Wynne. In total, he recorded five 100+ yards receiving games and averaged more than 14 yards per catch. He also became the first Argonauts receiver since Derrell “Mookie” Mitchell in 1998 to lead the CFL in receiving yards. The year culminated with him being named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player for 2012 and scoring the first touchdown for the Double Blue in the 100th Grey Cup game, the first Argos touchdown in a home Grey Cup game since 1983.
Armond Armstead was sensational as soon as he arrived at Argonauts’ training camp in June. The Sacramento, California native quickly secured a starting position as the 21-year old and went on to play in all 18 regular season games. In his rookie season, Armstead led the Argos’ defensive line in tackles with 43, good for fifth on the team. He also led the Double Blue in quarterback sacks (6), which was also sixth in the league in that category. Just 22 years old at the time of balloting, Armstead is the youngest all-star in either division and was the team’s nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie. Armstead was crucial in the Argonauts’ playoff run and instrumental in helping to limit Stampeders’ RB Jon Cornish in the 100th Grey Cup victory. This is his first CFL All-Star honour.
Cornerback Patrick Watkins, also a CFL rookie but a professional football veteran, finished the season tied for the team lead in interceptions with five. At 6-feet, 5-inches, Watkins utilized his size and speed to shutdown most other team’s “big play” threats on a game-to-game basis. In the Labour Day re-match on September 8, Watkins intercepted a pass and ran it back 27-yards into the endzone for his first career CFL touchdown. Watkins also finished third on the Argos’ roster with 67 defensive tackles. Though he only played in the Eastern Semi-Final, due to injury, for the Double Blue, Watkins was a vital contributor to the Argonauts’ 100th Grey Cup victory run. This is his first CFL All-Star award.
The CFL All-Stars were selected by fans, Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and CFL head coaches. In total, the voting panel consisted of 57 voters, plus hundreds of thousands of fans from across the country.