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{{Short description|American-Canadian sports executive (born 1965)}}
{{Redirect2|Michael Clemons|Mike Clemons|the American football defensive tackle|Micheal Clemons|the American development economist|Michael Clemens|the American college football coach|Mike Clemons (coach)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name         = Pinball Clemons
| image        = 2023, GM Michael Clemons.jpg
| image_size   = 
| alt          =
| caption      = Clemons with the [[Toronto Argonauts]] in 2023
| current_team = Toronto Argonauts
| position     = [[General manager (American football)|General manager]] <!-- Running back -->
| number       = <!-- 31 -->
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1965|1|15}}
| birth_place  = [[Dunedin, Florida]], U.S.
| height_ft    = 5
| height_in    = 6
| weight_lbs   = 170
| high_school  = [[Dunedin High School|Dunedin]]
| college      = [[William & Mary Tribe football|William & Mary]]
| draftyear    = 1987
| draftround   = 8
| draftpick    = 218
| pastteams    =
* [[Kansas City Chiefs]] ({{NFL Year|1987}})
* [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] ({{NFL Year|1988}})*
* [[Toronto Argonauts]] ({{CFL Year|1989}}–{{CFL Year|2000}})
| pastcoaching =
* Toronto Argonauts ({{CFL Year|2000}}–{{CFL Year|2007}})<br />Head coach
'''As an administrator:'''
* Toronto Argonauts ({{CFL Year|2001}}–{{CFL Year|2002}})<br />President
* Toronto Argonauts ({{CFL Year|2003}})<br />General manager
* Toronto Argonauts ({{CFL Year|2008}})<br />Chief executive officer
* Toronto Argonauts ({{CFL Year|2009}}–{{CFL Year|2019}})<br />Vice chairman
* Toronto Argonauts ({{CFL Year|2019}}–present)<br />General manager
| highlights =
* 8× [[Grey Cup]] champion ([[79th Grey Cup|1991]], [[84th Grey Cup|1996]], [[85th Grey Cup|1997]], [[92nd Grey Cup|2004]], [[100th Grey Cup|2012]], [[105th Grey Cup|2017]], [[109th Grey Cup|2022]], [[111th Grey Cup|2024]])
* 2× CFL All-Star ({{CFL Year|1990}}, {{CFL Year|1997}})
* [[Toronto Argonauts#Notable personnel|Toronto Argonauts No. 31]] retired
* 3× [[CFL East]] All-Star ({{CFL Year|1990}}, {{CFL Year|1994}}, {{CFL Year|1997}})
* [[Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy|Jeff Russel Trophy]] ({{CFL Year|1990}})
* [[CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award|CFL Most Outstanding Player]] ({{CFL Year|1993}})
* [[Tom Pate Memorial Award]] ({{CFL Year|1996}})
;CFL record
* CFL Most Combined Yards, All-Time Regular Season: 25,438
| CFHOF=michael-pinball-clemons
}}
'''Michael Lutrell''' "'''Pinball'''" '''Clemons''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN|OOnt|MSM}} (born January 15, 1965) is an [[American Canadians|American-Canadian]] sports executive and former [[running back]] and [[return specialist]] who serves as [[general manager]] for the [[Toronto Argonauts]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL). He is considered by many to be one of the greatest and most famous Argonauts players of all time, as well as one of the most popular professional athletes in the history of Toronto.

A native of [[Dunedin, Florida]], Clemons played college football at the [[College of William & Mary]] and was drafted in the eighth round of the [[1987 NFL draft]] by the Kansas City Chiefs. After two years in the NFL, Clemons joined the Argonauts in 1989, playing with them for twelve seasons where he was a two-time All-Star and a three-time [[Grey Cup]] Champion. After retiring from playing, he twice served as their [[head coach]] before becoming an administrator, since winning five more Grey Cups. His no. 31 jersey is one of only four that have been [[Toronto Argonauts#Retired numbers|retired]] by the Argonauts.

==Early life==

Clemons was born on January 15, 1965, in [[Dunedin, Florida]], to an 18-year-old single mother, Anna Marie Bryant, who had just graduated from a segregated high school.<ref name="Perry Lefko 2006 p. 29"/> His father, Willie Clemons, lived an hour and a half away from them while finishing up his university education and later became a school teacher.<ref name="slam.canoe.ca"/>

Clemons started playing football at age 8 with the Dunedin Golden Eagles, a youth organization co-ordinated by the Police Athletic League.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sptimes.com/News/091601/NorthPinellas/CFL_s_Clemons_recalls.shtml|title=CFL's Clemons recalls growing up in Dunedin|last=Morgan|first=Nancy|date=September 16, 2001|publisher=St. Petersburg Times|access-date=October 5, 2008}}</ref>

Clemons and his mother lived in public housing across the street from the city's sewer plant until he was 14 years old.<ref name="slam.canoe.ca"/> At this point in Clemons' life, his mother married his stepfather and would also become the first African-American to get an administrative job for the City of Dunedin.<ref name="slam.canoe.ca"/>

Clemons's mother was also a heavy influence in him becoming a devout Christian as she was also a clerk at a [[Baptist church]] in Dunedin.<ref name="slam.canoe.ca"/> Clemons and his family currently attend [[the Meeting House]] in Oakville, Ontario.

Clemons later formed a relationship with his father, Willie, during his college years.<ref name="slam.canoe.ca"/> Even then, the relationship between him and his father was more like a nephew to an uncle, being limited to visits during his family vacations down in Florida and regular phone calls.<ref name="Perry Lefko 2006 p. 260">Perry Lefko, "Pinball: The Making of a Canadian Hero". (Mississauga: John Wiley & Sons Canada, 2006) p. 260</ref> Willie was also invited to the 2003 CFL Eastern Division semi-final game his son was coaching in Toronto vs. the B.C. Lions, marking the first time his father had actually seen him in any capacity with the Argonauts.<ref name="Perry Lefko 2006 p. 260"/> Shortly afterwards, his father died.<ref name="slam.canoe.ca"/>

==College career==
Clemons played college football at the [[College of William and Mary]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thespec.com/Sports/article/436568|title=The best PR man in the CFL|date=September 17, 2008|publisher=Hamilton Spectator|access-date=October 5, 2008}}</ref><ref name="argosbio">{{cite web|url=http://www.argonauts.ca/page/staff-michael-clemons|title=Michael " onto Argonauts Football Club|access-date=October 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005194718/http://www.argonauts.ca/page/staff-michael-clemons|archive-date=October 5, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cfhof.ca/members/michael-pinball-clemons/|title=Michael "Pinball" Clemons|work=Hall of Famers|publisher=Canadian Football Hall of Fame|access-date=October 10, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://jobboomcc.canoe.ca/News/2002/11/20/1225082-sun.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712191120/http://jobboomcc.canoe.ca/News/2002/11/20/1225082-sun.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 12, 2012|title=DREAM JOB – Pinball Clemons: Passing back to the community|last=Van der Voort |first=Jane|date=November 20, 2002|newspaper=Toronto Sun|access-date=October 5, 2008}}</ref> where he played as a [[running back]] and return specialist on [[William & Mary Tribe football|the football team]], as well as playing [[William & Mary Tribe men's soccer|varsity soccer]] for a year. In his four-year college football career, he compiled 4,778 all-purpose yards and was named a [[Division I-AA]] all-American.

==Professional career==
Clemons was selected by the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] in the eighth round of the [[1987 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1987 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1987/draft.htm |access-date=October 1, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> During the [[1987 NFL season]], Clemons played in eight games, predominantly as a punt returner, where he collected 19 returns for 162 yards.

When Clemons first joined the Toronto Argonauts in [[1989 CFL season|1989]], guest running backs coach Tom Cudney nicknamed him "Pinball" because of his running style. His diminutive size and extraordinary balance allowed him to bounce between defensive players much like a [[pinball]] inside a pinball machine. During home games, [[The Who]] song "[[Pinball Wizard]]" would play on the P.A. each time Clemons was involved in a great play. In his first game with the Argonauts, Clemons was named the player of the game. In 1990, Clemons received the [[CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award]] after setting a single season record for all-purpose yards (3,300). The following year, Clemons won his very first football championship as his Argonauts defeated the [[Calgary Stampeders]] to win the [[Grey Cup]]. Clemons went on to win two more Grey Cups as a player when [[Doug Flutie]] led the Argonauts to win back-to-back titles during the 1996 & 1997 seasons. In 1997, Clemons surpassed his own single season [[all-purpose yards]] record from 1990 by recording 3,840 all-purpose yards. This mark stood until 2012 when it was broken by [[Chad Owens]]. On September 15, 2000, Clemons played his last ever game as an Argonaut. During his 12-year playing career with the Argonauts he set many team records including career pass receptions (682), punt return yards (6,025), punt returns (610), punt return touchdowns (8), kickoff return yards (6,349), and kickoff returns (300). He also set single season single-season punt return yards (1,070 in 1997), punt returns (111 in 1997), and kickoff returns (49 in 1997). Clemons also amassed a career 25,438 combined yards during the regular season, a CFL record.

In 2008, Clemons was inducted into the [[Canadian Football Hall of Fame]], and was also inducted into the [[Ontario Sports Hall of Fame]] in 2009. In 2016, he was awarded the [[Order of Sport]], marking his induction into [[Canada's Sports Hall of Fame]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Canada Sports Hall of Fame {{!}} Hall of Famers Search |url=https://www.sportshall.ca/hall-of-famers/hall-of-famers-search.html?proID=617&catID=all&lang=EN |access-date=March 26, 2024 |website=www.sportshall.ca}}</ref>

== Coaching career ==
[[File:Pinball clemons.jpg|thumbnail|left|Clemons pictured in 2008.]]
Upon ending his playing career, Clemons became interim [[head coach]] of the Toronto Argonauts in 2000, replacing [[John Huard]], who resigned after compiling a 1–6–1 record. When offered the head coaching job by team general manager [[J. I. Albrecht]], Clemons was reluctant to accept it, wanting to spend more time with his family. According to Clemons, "it was an awkward situation. After saying no, they said do us the favour of going home and discussing it with your family. The burden was that this team, this organization, had given our family so much that Canada was going to be our home. The Argos had everything to do with my family becoming a part of this country. Because of all I had been given I decided it was my time to reciprocate."<ref name="slam.canoe.ca">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/football|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428201115/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Football/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 28, 2015|title=Heart of a champion|website=canoe.ca|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref> As interim head coach, Clemons coached the Argos to 6 wins out of their remaining 8 games. He had the interim tag removed from his title at the end of the season. In November 2001, he was promoted to President of the Argonauts and relinquished his role as head coach in the process to [[Gary Etcheverry]].

When Etcheverry was fired as head coach on September 17, 2002, Clemons returned as head coach on an interim basis with 6 games remaining in the [[2002 CFL season]]. Clemons was officially given the head coaching job again on December 17, 2002, while also relinquishing his role as team president. He remained the head coach until [[2007 CFL season|2007]]. Clemons was nominated for the [[Annis Stukus Trophy]] every year from 2002 to 2007, coming up short each time.

In the 2004 CFL season, Clemons was the first [[black (people)|black]] head coach to ever appear in a [[Grey Cup]] game. He became the first black head coach to win a Grey Cup championship [[92nd Grey Cup|during that same Grey Cup game]], while also being the second black coach to ever guide his team to a [[Professional football (gridiron)|pro football]] championship in North America. ([[Darren Arbet]] of the [[San Jose SaberCats]] was the first to do so in 2002 with an [[ArenaBowl XVI]] victory.) Clemons downplayed this milestone achievement, saying, "To tell you the truth, I don't know what it means to be the first Black coach in the (Grey) Cup and to win it. I know that I can't do anything by myself, and on my own strength I'm very little good. Anything I accomplish has to be with the aid of individuals, and this team became like a family and ''is'' a family, it had very little to do with the colour of my skin".<ref name="Perry Lefko 2006 p. 29">Perry Lefko, "Pinball: The Making of a Canadian Hero". (Mississauga: John Wiley & Sons Canada, 2006) p. 29</ref>

Clemons has the second most head coaching wins in Argonauts history with 67. (Bob O'Billovich is first with 89.) Clemons' record is 67–54–1 in the regular season over parts of seven seasons, with a 6–5 playoff record (including 1–0 in his lone Grey Cup appearance). As a coach, his nickname was often shortened to "'''Pinner'''" by his players. After retiring as head coach, he became the team's chief executive officer in 2008.

== Sports administrator ==
From November 2001 to September 2002, Clemons served as the Toronto Argonauts President. He ended his tenure as president to resume his second stint as the team's head coach. In 2003, Clemons shared both responsibilities as the team's head coach & general manager. Though he was the de facto GM of the Argonauts as a result of an administrative shake up of the team, much of the player roster management duties were deferred to [[Greg Mohns]], the team's director of football operations & player personnel. Clemons would relinquish his GM title to [[Adam Rita]] at the end of the season. On December 4, 2007, Clemons stepped down as head coach of the Argonauts to become their new chief executive officer. At the end of the [[2008 Toronto Argonauts season]], Clemons announced that he would no longer act in the day-to-day business of the organization and on May 6, 2009, Bob Nicholson was announced as the new president and chief executive officer of the Argonauts. On that same day, Clemons was appointed the vice-chair of the team. In his new role, Clemons advises the president & C.E.O. on key sales and corporate partner programs, significant community initiatives, and brand and media relations.<ref>http://www.argonauts.ca/index.php/article/argos-welcome-back-bob-nicholson-as-president-ceo-12045-im-44536] {{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On October 8, 2019, Clemons was named as the new general manager of the team, replacing [[Jim Popp]] who was relieved of his GM duties with 4 games remaining in the [[2019 Toronto Argonauts season]]. Clemons would also work closely with John Murphy, the team's vice president of player personnel, in assembling the roster.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cfl.ca/2019/10/08/argos-name-michael-pinball-clemons-general-manager/| title = Argos name Michael 'Pinball' Clemons general manager - CFL.ca| date = October 8, 2019}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Clemons at We Day Waterloo 2010.jpeg|thumbnail|Clemons speaking at [[We Day]] Waterloo 2010, a Free the Children event]]
Clemons is also a [[motivational speaker]], making frequent public appearances throughout the community. He is also a partner of the children's brand Simply Kids, a line of diapers, baby food and healthcare products found in supermarkets across Canada and the United States.

Currently, Clemons resides in [[Oakville, Ontario]] with his wife, Diane (a native Floridian), and three daughters (who were all born in Canada); Rachel, Raven, and Rylie. Clemons has described himself (borrowing a quote from [[C.D. Howe]]) as an "American by birth but Canadian by choice".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=d8a13c4a-2dfa-420b-8c60-9d0d04927d45&k=11834|title=Permanent dead link|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124103639/http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=d8a13c4a-2dfa-420b-8c60-9d0d04927d45&k=11834|archive-date=November 24, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.calgarysun.com/sports/vancouver2010/news/2009/12/23/12253441.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100106060313/http://www.calgarysun.com/sports/vancouver2010/news/2009/12/23/12253441.html| archive-date = January 6, 2010| title = Pinball carries Olympic torch {{!}} Vancouver 2010 News {{!}} Vancouver 2010 {{!}} Sports {{!}} Calgary Sun}}</ref> In 2000, Clemons became a permanent resident of Canada. It had once been suggested that Clemons had remained an American citizen to rebuff any calls for him to run for political office, such as for mayor of Toronto.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071116.wspt-clemens-feature-16/GSStory/GlobeSportsFootball/home/?pageRequested=all|title=The most loved man in sports|last=Brunt|first=Stephen|date=November 16, 2007|work=Globe and Mail |location=Canada |access-date=October 5, 2008}}</ref> Clemons was the subject of ''Pinball: The Making of a Canadian Hero'' ({{ISBN|978-0-470-83690-3}}) a biography written by [[Perry Lefko]] published in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ca.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470836903.html|title=Pinball: The Making of a Canadian Hero|publisher=John Wiley & Sons Canada|access-date=October 5, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217194243/http://ca.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470836903.html|archive-date=February 17, 2012}}</ref>

In April 2007, he visited Calderstone Middle School in [[Brampton]] to help start a reading program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peel.edu.on.ca/media/news2002/070402.htm|title='Guy stuff' on the reading agenda for new dad, son club|date=April 2, 2007|work=News Releases|publisher=Peel District School Board|access-date=October 5, 2008|archive-date=February 13, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213025803/http://peel.edu.on.ca/media/news2002/070402.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On August 21, 2007, Clemons founded the "Michael 'Pinball' Clemons Foundation" which is dedicated to helping disadvantaged youth.

On March 23, 2009, Clemons appeared on the [[CFTO-TV|CTV]] News @ 6 as a celebrity guest host to do the weather in celebration of [[Dave Devall]]'s retirement. He also worked with [[Marc Kielburger]] and [[Craig Kielburger]], founders of [[Free the Children]], in an initiative to build schools and clean water systems in Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZmsldMYxQU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/SZmsldMYxQU |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Be the Change with "Pinball" Clemons|last=WE|date=June 19, 2009|access-date=May 23, 2017|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP2q16Y3cIg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/HP2q16Y3cIg |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title="Pinball" Clemons' Real Heroes!|last=WE|date=June 19, 2009|access-date=May 23, 2017|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On November 14, 2012, Clemons visited and gave a speech about life topics in Markham, Ontario for York Regional District School Board's annual QUEST Forum to promote Student Achievement and Well-Being.

On February 28, 2014, Clemons visited the Scouts Canada National Leadership summit to speak about teamwork and working as one team to kick off the new program and strategic plan announcement.

On April 28, 2015, Clemons officially became a [[naturalization|naturalized]] citizen of Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/cfl/pinball-clemons-officially-becomes-canadian-citizen/|title=Pinball Clemons officially becomes Canadian citizen - Sportsnet.ca|website=sportsnet.ca|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.argonauts.ca/2015/04/30/pinball-clemons-proud-canadian-citizen/|title=Pinball Clemons: Proud Canadian Citizen|newspaper=Toronto Argonauts|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref>

Clemons was recognized on February 10, 2017, by the College of William and Mary, his alma mater, with an honorary degree during Charter Day ceremonies, where he also was principal speaker.

From February 10–26, 2017, Clemons partnered with Global Pet Foods and [[Air Miles]] for the "Show Us Your Heart" event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpetfoods.com/showusyourheart2017|title=Show Us Your Heart 2017 - Global Pet Foods|website=globalpetfoods.com|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref> Its goal is to raise money for homeless pets, rescue groups, and animal shelters across Canada through donations made at Global Pet Food stores.

== Achievements ==
* CFL record for most [[all-purpose yards]], All-Time Regular Season: 25,396 ([[1989 CFL season|1989]]–[[2000 CFL season|2000]])<ref name="cfl mcy">{{cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/page/stats_indrec_combyds |title=Individual Records – Combined Yards |access-date=December 1, 2009 |work=Regular Season All-Time Records |publisher=cfl.ca |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119042426/http://www.cfl.ca/page/stats_indrec_combyds |archive-date=January 19, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Recorded over 5,000 career yards in rushing (5,232), pass receptions (7,015), kickoff returns (6,349), and punt returns (6,025)
* Argonauts team records for career pass receptions (682), punt return yards (6,025), punt returns (610), punt return touchdowns (8), kickoff return yards (6,349), and kickoff returns (300)
* Argonauts team records for single-season punt return yards (1,070 in 1997), punt returns (111 in 1997), and kickoff returns (49 in 1997)
* Argonauts team record for single-game kickoff returns (8) on August 21, 1990, versus [[Edmonton Eskimos]]
* [[CFL's Outstanding Player Award|CFL most outstanding player]] ([[1990 CFL season|1990]])
* Three-time Grey Cup champion as a player ([[1991 CFL season#Grey Cup Championship|1991]], [[84th Grey Cup|1996]], [[1997 CFL season#Grey Cup Championship|1997]])
* One-time Grey Cup champion as a head coach ([[92nd Grey Cup|2004]])
* Two-time Grey Cup champion as a Vice chairman ([[100th Grey Cup|2012]], [[105th Grey Cup|2017]])
* Two-time Grey Cup champion as a general manager ([[109th Grey Cup|2022]], [[111th Grey Cup|2024]])
* [[List of African-American firsts|First black]] head coach to reach & win a Grey Cup championship ([[92nd Grey Cup|2004]])
* Two-time CFL All-Star ([[1990 CFL season#1990 CFL All-Stars|1990]], [[1997 CFL season#1997 CFL All-Stars|1997]])
* Two-time [[Tom Pate Memorial Award|Tom Pate Award]] winner ([[1993 CFL season#1993 CFL Awards|1993]], [[1996 CFL season#1996 CFL Awards|1996]])
*1995 John Candy Memorial Award<ref name="Who p.81">Who's Who in Canadian Sport, Volume 4, p.81, [[Bob Ferguson (journalist)|Bob Ferguson]], Fitzhenry and Whiteside Ltd., Markham, ON and Allston, MA, {{ISBN|1-55041-855-6}}</ref>
* One-time [[Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy|Eastern Division Most Outstanding Player Trophy]] winner ([[1990 CFL season|1990]])
* Four-time Eastern Division All-Star (1990, 1993, 1994, 1997)
* Voted one of the CFL's [[TSN Top 50 CFL Players|Top 50 players]] (#31) of the league's modern era by Canadian sports network [[The Sports Network|TSN]].
* Was inducted into the [[Canadian Football Hall of Fame]] in 2008.
* Was inducted into the [[Ontario Sports Hall of Fame]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael "Pinball" Clemons |url=http://oshof.ca/index.php/honoured-members/item/20-pinball-clemons |website=oshof.ca |publisher=[[Ontario Sports Hall of Fame]] |access-date=September 25, 2014 |archive-date=December 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228125913/http://www.oshof.ca/index.php/honoured-members/item/20-pinball-clemons |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Retired number by the Toronto Argonauts (#31)
* Was awarded the [[Order of Sport]] in 2016, marking his induction into [[Canada's Sports Hall of Fame]].<ref name=":0" />
* Was inducted into the Toronto Sport Hall of Honour in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Toronto |first1=City of |title=City of Toronto hosts seventh annual Toronto Sport Hall of Honour induction ceremony |url=https://www.toronto.ca/news/city-of-toronto-hosts-seventh-annual-toronto-sport-hall-of-honour-induction-ceremony/ |website=Toronto.ca |date=June 5, 2024 |publisher=[[Municipal government of Toronto]] |access-date=March 3, 2025 }}</ref>

==Honours==
* He was appointed as a Member of the [[Order of Ontario]] in 2001, giving him the [[List of post-nominal letters in Canada|post-nominal letters]] "O.Ont" for life.
* In 2011, he was one of the recipients of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards presented by [[Canadian immigrant magazine|Canadian Immigrant Magazine]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Canada's Top 25 Immigrants 2011|url=https://canadianimmigrant.ca/canadas-top-25-immigrants/canadas-top-25-immigrants-2011|access-date=June 18, 2021|website=Canadian Immigrant|language=en-US}}</ref>
* In 2020, both he and his wife Diane Clemons were awarded the [[Meritorious Service Medal (Canada)|Meritorious Service Medal]] for their work with the Pinball Clemons Foundation, which provides financial assistance and mentoring to students.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mr. Michael Clemons |url=https://gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/136-105277 |access-date=June 26, 2025 |website=The Governor General of Canada |language=en}}</ref>
* He was awarded the Canadian Version of the [[Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal]] in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mr. Michael Clemons Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal  |url=https://gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/125-22747 |website=Governor General of Canada |date=6 September 2025 |access-date=6 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
* He was awarded the Canadian Version of the [[Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Clemons Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal  |url=https://gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/126-208102 |website=Governor General of Canada |date=6 September 2025 |access-date=6 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
* He was awarded the Canadian Version of the [[King Charles III Coronation Medal]] in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Clemons King Charles III Coronation Medal |url=https://gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/5431-105277 |website=Governor General of Canada |date=20 June 2025 |access-date=6 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

==Honorary degrees==
Clemons has received [[honorary degree]]s from several universities. These include:

{| class="wikitable" 
! Location
! Date
! School
! Degree
|-
| [[Ontario]], Canada || '''Fall 2000''' || [[York University]] || [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://secretariat.info.yorku.ca/senate/sub-committee-on-honorary-degrees-and-ceremonials/honorary-degree-recipients/#C|title=Honorary Degree Recipients - University Secretariat|website=secretariat.info.yorku.ca}}</ref>
|-
| Ontario, Canada || '''June 2013''' || [[Humber College]] || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://humber.ca/convocation/spring-2013|title=Spring 2013 - Convocation|website=humber.ca|access-date=April 17, 2018|archive-date=April 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418032044/http://humber.ca/convocation/spring-2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| [[Virginia]], United States || '''February 10, 2017''' || [[College of William & Mary]] || [[Doctor of Humane Letters]] (DHL)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-icFAWSbJ6g |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/-icFAWSbJ6g |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Charter Day 2017: Clemons' keynote remarks|last=William & Mary|date=February 13, 2017|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wm.edu/news/stories/2016/michael-pinball-clemons-to-give-charter-day-address.php#clemons|title=Michael 'Pinball' Clemons to give Charter Day address on Feb. 10|website=www.wm.edu}}</ref>
|-
|[[Guelph|Guelph, Ontario, Canada]]
|'''June 11, 2024'''
|[[University of Guelph]]
|[[Doctor of Law|Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D)<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2024 |title=Five Honorary Degrees to Be Awarded at U of G Summer Convocation |url=https://news.uoguelph.ca/2024/06/five-honorary-degrees-to-be-awarded-at-u-of-g-summer-convocation/ |access-date=May 25, 2025 |website=U of G News |language=en-US}}</ref>
|}
In 2022, Clemons received an honorary doctorate from [[Toronto Metropolitan University]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Craig |first=Lindsey |date=February 23, 2024 |title=Nominate TMU's next honorary doctorate recipient |url=https://www.torontomu.ca/news-events/news/2024/02/nominate-tmu-honorary-doctorate/ |access-date=March 1, 2024 |website=Toronto Metropolitan University |language=en}}</ref>{{Incomplete list|date=April 2018}}

==Legacy==
In 2012, in honour of the [[100th Grey Cup]], [[Canada Post]] used his image on a series of commemorative postage stamps. The image was also used on presentation posters and other materials to promote the Grey Cup game and other celebrations associated with the centennial.

===CFL coaching record===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular Season !! colspan="4"|Post Season
|-
!Won!!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !! Result
|-
![[2000 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]||[[2000 CFL season|2000]]
||6||4||0||.600||4th in East Division|| – || – || Missed Playoffs
|-
![[2001 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]||[[2001 CFL season|2001]]
||7||11||0||.389||4th in East Division|| – || – || Missed Playoffs
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[2002 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]||[[2002 CFL season|2002]]
||4||2||0||.667||2nd in East Division|| 1 || 1 || Lost in Division Finals
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[2003 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]||[[2003 CFL season|2003]]
||9||9||0||.500||2nd in East Division|| 1 || 1 || Lost in Division Finals
|-! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[2004 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]||[[2004 CFL season|2004]]
||'''10'''||'''7'''||'''1'''||'''.583'''||'''2nd in East Division'''|| '''3''' || '''0''' || '''Won [[92nd Grey Cup|Grey Cup]]'''
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[2005 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]||[[2005 CFL season|2005]]
||11||7||0||.611||'''1st in East Division'''|| 0 || 1 || Lost in Division Finals
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[2006 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]||[[2006 CFL season|2006]]
||10||8||0||.556||2nd in East Division|| 1 || 1 || Lost in Division Finals
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[2007 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]||[[2007 CFL season|2007]]
||11||7||0||.611||'''1st in East Division'''|| 0 || 1 || Lost in Division Finals
|-
! colspan="2"|'''Total'''
||'''68'''||'''55'''||'''1'''||'''.553'''||'''2 East Division<br />Championships'''||'''6'''||'''5'''||'''1 Grey Cup'''
|}

===CFL GM record===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular Season !! colspan="4"|Post Season
|-
!Won!!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !! Result
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[2003 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]||[[2003 CFL season|2003]]
||9||9||0||.500||2nd in East Division|| 1 || 1 || Lost in East Final
|-
![[2019 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]||[[2019 CFL season|2019]]
||2||2||0||.500||4th in East Division|| - || - || ''Did not qualify''
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[2021 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]||[[2021 CFL season|2021]]
||9||5||0||.643||'''1st in East Division'''|| 0 || 1 || Lost in East Final
|-! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[2022 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]||[[2022 CFL season|2022]]
||'''11'''||'''7'''||'''0'''||'''.611'''||'''1st in East Division'''|| '''2''' || '''0''' || '''Won [[109th Grey Cup|Grey Cup]]'''
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[2023 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]||[[2023 CFL season|2023]]
||16||2||0||.888||'''1st in East Division'''|| 0 || 1 || Lost in East Final
|-! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[2024 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]||[[2024 CFL season|2024]]
||'''10'''||'''8'''||'''0'''||'''.556'''||2nd in East Division|| '''3''' || '''0''' || '''Won [[111th Grey Cup|Grey Cup]]'''
|-
![[2025 Toronto Argonauts season|TOR]]||[[2025 CFL season|2025]]
||5||13||0||.278|| 4th in East Division ||–||–|| ''Did not qualify''
|-
! colspan="2"|'''Total'''
||'''62'''||'''46'''||'''0'''||'''.574'''||'''3 East Division<br />Championships'''||'''6'''||'''3'''||'''2 Grey Cups'''
|}

===Coaching tree===
Assistants under Clemons that became NFL, CFL, or NCAA head coaches:

* [[Aaron Best]]: [[Eastern Washington Eagles football|Eastern Washington]] (2017–present)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
*{{cite news| url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com//servlet/story/LAC.20080105.PINBALL05/TPStory/National/| title=What's up next for The Pinball Wizard? He sure played a mean football; now his fans want to see him take a run at office| first=Anthony| last=Reinhart| date=January 5, 2008| work=Globe and Mail| location=Canada| access-date=September 8, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106163428/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080105.PINBALL05/TPStory/National/| archive-date=January 6, 2008| url-status=dead| df=mdy-all}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070929123538/http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2007-07-12/sevendays_qa.php Q & A with Pinball Clemons for Now Magazine (July 12–18, 2007)]}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120211124007/http://thegoodpoint.com/2008/10/pinball-cleamons-toronto-argonauts/ Interview with The Good Point (Oct. 7, 2008)]}}
* [https://www.thestar.com/article/524815 Liberal senator likes Clemons' 'politics of hope' (Toronto Star Column, Oct. 26, 2008)]

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071124142059/http://www.mpcf.ca/ Michael "Pinball" Clemons Foundation website]}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20081005194718/http://www.argonauts.ca/page/staff-michael-clemons Toronto Argonauts profile]}}
* {{Twitter|Pinball}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150924024108/http://www.cfl.ca/page/hall-of-fame-michael-%22pinball%22-clemons CFL.ca stats]}}
* [http://www.cflapedia.com/Players/c/clemons_mike.htm CFLapedia bio]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070216022944/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=CLEMOMIC01 DatabaseFootball.com stats]}}
*{{YouTube|7Os9q80e7ks|"Michael 'Pinball' Clemons Montage" video from the Canadian Football Hall of Fame & Museum}}
*[https://www.mlse.com/our-company/leaders-at-mlse Leaders at MLSE page]

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box | title=[[List of Grey Cup winning Head Coaches|Grey Cup winning Head Coach]] | before=[[Tom Higgins (Canadian football)|Tom Higgins]] | years=[[92nd Grey Cup]], 2004 | after=[[Danny Maciocia]]}}
{{s-end}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Clemons, Pinball}}
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