When Michael Clemons speaks about opportunity, it doesn’t come off as a talking point. It sounds lived in.
Better known as “Pinball,” the Toronto Argonauts general manager was in Saskatchewan ahead of a fundraiser supporting student-athletes, and his message on and off the field was consistent: give young people a chance, and they’ll show you what’s possible.
“It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” Clemons said. “But how you finish is predicated upon those things that come from getting that start.”
That “start” is what events like the Huskies Dogs’ Breakfast are all about, creating pathways not just to football careers, but to futures beyond the game. Clemons emphasized that Canadian university players today are balancing more than ever, with many pursuing demanding degrees while continuing to raise the level of play.
Referencing the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and their success, along with players coming out of the CFL Draft, Clemons called it a full-circle moment where opportunity meets preparation.
“When we can give our young people a hand up, not a handout, it works so much better,” he said.
But his message wasn’t limited to those already on the university path. With high school athletes also part of the weekend, Clemons pointed to something bigger than football: confidence and community.
“You’re more than enough. You are capable of more than you think, and you’re not alone,” he said.
That belief, that talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t always, is something Clemons sees as central to the continued growth of Canadian football. The more doors that open, the more players shine. And that brings the conversation to the bigger picture: the future of the Canadian Football League.
With significant changes coming in 2027, including a new schedule and playoff format, there’s been plenty of debate. Clemons, however, is taking a measured approach.
“I think giving an opportunity [to new ideas] is important,” he said, pointing to the league’s leadership and the importance of broadcast exposure in growing the game.
For Clemons, evolution is part of football just like the game itself.
“Every decision that you make on that football field isn’t the right one,” he said. “But in the end, what we hope to do is have enough great plays to come out with the win.”
It’s a fitting analogy for a league willing to adjust and adapt. Not every change will be perfect, but the willingness to try and to pivot if needed is what matters.
And if there’s one thing Clemons made clear in Saskatoon, it’s that whether it’s a young player chasing a dream or a league shaping its future, success starts with opportunity.
Even if, in his case, it once meant taking a handoff from Doug Flutie and quickly taking a knee.
