Grey Cup 2024
There will be no back-to-back Grey Cup wins for the Toronto Argonauts this season. An unexpected 5-13 record led to no post-season games and therefore no trip to Winnipeg.
Grey Cup week means a lot of things to CFL fans; a chance to celebrate Canadian football, an opportunity to get together with friends whether you live in the host city or not, and the chance to remember great memories from Grey Cups past.
The mention of a year and opponent will undoubtedly lead you to look back upon the game and its most memorable plays. Argonauts.ca wanted to reflect upon some of the players who made those Argo wins possible, athletes who were rewarded for their individual accomplishments during the greatest of team wins.
The Grey Cup Most Valuable Player Award was first handed out in 1959, while the Most Valuable Canadian Award made its debut a dozen years later.
1983: Argos 18, BC 17 in Vancouver.
After losing the Grey Cup at home to Edmonton to previous year, the Argos had a tough task ahead of them in their attempt to snap a 30-year Grey Cup drought; they had to face the BC Lions in Vancouver.
To make it an even harder hill to climb, Toronto’s starting quarterback Condredge Holloway – the man in charge of executing the Argos run-and-shoot offence – was ill. He started the game and was ineffective, leading head coach Bob O’Billovich to make a tough decision. Late in the first half he opted to bench Holloway and flip the keys to backup Joe Barnes.
The Texan played well in the second half going 14/24 for 175 yards, and he won the game with a late drive that culminated in a three-yard pass to Cedric Minter on the first play following the three-minute warning. It gave the Argos a lead they were able to hang on to.
That shouldn’t have been a surprise because on that day the Argos did an outstanding job defensively, shutting out the Lions in the second half. Cornerback Carl Brazley was recognized as the game’s top defensive player for his six tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery.
Despite the win, the Argos did not have one of their players selected as the Most Valuable Canadian as BC defensive lineman Rick Klassen took home that honour.
1991: Argos 36, Calgary 21 in Winnipeg.
The Argos and Stampeders met in what remains the coldest Grey Cup in history. It was -16C with a windchill of -35C at kickoff with the Argos favoured to win their first title in eight years.
Rookie receiver Raghib “Rocket” Ismail made next to no impact offensively but still left with the MVP award for his work as a returner, despite losing a fumble on a second quarter punt return.
The Notre Dame product finished the game with 253 total kick return yards; a Grey Cup record he held until Winnipeg’s Janarion Grant broke it in a game against the Argos in 2022. On one of those returns Ismail made the game’s defining play, one that is still replayed often.
After Calgary cut Toronto’s lead to just one point in the fourth quarter, Ismail took the ensuing kickoff and ran it back 87 yards for a touchdown, despite almost stepping on a beer can that had been thrown at him from the stands.
Argo linebacker Keith Castello recovered the ensuing kickoff and two plays later Matt Dunigan hit Paul Masotti for a 36-yard touchdown that all but clinched the win.
Once again, the Argos won the game but did not have one of their players win the Most Valuable Canadian as Calgary receiver Dave Sapunjis claimed that honour.
1996: Argos 43 Edmonton 37 in Hamilton.
Again, the elements were a major contributor to the drama but this time it was a major snowfall, not the cold that impacted play.
In a Grey Cup game that featured more highlights than any other, Doug Flutie would win the game’s MVP, outraging Edmonton fans who were convinced he fumbled and lost the ball on a quarterback sneak, benefitting from a quick whistle.
Regardless, Flutie passed for over 300 yards and rushed for over 100 more, rushing for one touchdown.
The Argos would win their first Most Valuable Canadian award thanks to a perfect day from kicker Mike Vanderjagt, who went 5/5 in his field goal attempts, 4/4 in converts, while also handling punting duties, no easy task in a blizzard.
1997: Argos 47, Saskatchewan 23 in Edmonton.
Flutie stole the show again, completing 30 of 38 passing attempts for 352 yards and 3 touchdowns, while adding another rushing TD in a rout of the Riders. He’d win a second straight MVP award.
His main target on the day was Paul Masotti, who hauled in 6 passes for 102 yards, one catch coming when a ball literally fell in his lap while he was sitting on the field. He would receive the Most Valuable Canadian award for his effort that evening.
2004: Argos 27, BC 19 in Ottawa.
This was a nailbiter that saw the Argos take a late second half lead, but it was a game that wasn’t decided until the very end. Damon Allen would be named MVP for a 299-yard, 1 touchdown passing effort, while adding a pair of rushing TDs.
Again, the Argos were denied the Most Valuable Canadian, with Lions receiver Jason Clermont getting the nod.
2012: Argos 35, Calgary 22 in Toronto.
The Argos hosted the 100th Grey Cup game and made sure there was limited drama. The Boatmen came out flying on defence, while relying on a new hero to steal the show.
Chad Kackert became the starting running back in mid-season after Cory Boyd was released, despite leading the CFL in rushing at the time.
Kackert made management look good by carrying the ball 20 times for 133 yards in the championship game, while adding another 62 yards on 8 receptions.
Ricky Foley would be named the game’s Most Valuable Canadian, amassing 4 defensive tackles, a special teams tackle, a sack, and a fumble recovery.
2017: Argos 27, Calgary 24 in Ottawa.
In a game with one of the most stunning endings in CFL history, the Argos came from behind to shock the Stampeders on a snowy night in the nation’s capital.
With Calgary about to take a two-score lead with five minutes left in the fourth quarter, Cassius Vaughn recovered a fumble and returned it for a 109-yard touchdown. After a two-point conversion tied it, Lirim Hajrullahu’s 32-yard field goal with under a minute left gave the Argos a three-point lead, but the Stamps took the kickoff and marched down the field. Going for the win, Bo Levi Mitchell threw a pass that Matt Black intercepted in the end zone, sealing the championship.
In a game filled with huge plays, a player who made one of the biggest took home MVP honours. On the first play of the second quarter DaVier Posey caught a Ricky Ray pass and ran for a TD that covered 100 yards, the longest passing play in Grey Cup history. He finished the day with 7 catches for 175 yards.
Calgary running back Jerome Messam was named the game’s Most Valuable Canadian.
2022: Argos 24, Winnipeg 23 in Regina.
Another wild finish with Robbie Smith blocking a last-minute field goal attempt to win the game.
Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson injured his thumb in the fourth quarter, opening the door for Chad Kelly to take over and help clinch the win. AJ Ouellette scored a pair of touchdowns and Cam Phillips led Argo receivers with 4 catches for 96 yards, but the MVP and Most Valuable Canadian awards would both go to a defensive player.
Henoc Muamba became just the second player to win both awards in the same game. He recorded 3 tackles and a knockdown but will best be remembered for a fourth quarter interception.
2024: Argos 41, Winnipeg 24 in Vancouver.
No starting quarterback? No problem.
After Chad Kelly suffered a severe leg injury in the Eastern Final, Nick Arbuckle got the nod to start at quarterback in the championship game. He passed for 252 yards and a couple of touchdowns, enough for voters to select him as the game’s MVP.
The defence forced five Winnipeg turnovers, including an interception by Robert Priester that he returned 61-yards for the score that sealed the win.
The Most Valuable Canadian was receiver Dejon Brissett, who caught 3 passes for 45 yards and a third quarter touchdown that gave the Argos an 8-point lead.