As Argos QB MBT mulls his future, his legacy as a Grey Cup champion will be etched in history
Argos #Argos
REGINA — To borrow a quote from the loquacious Bill Parcells: “For the rest of your life men, nobody can ever tell you that you couldn’t do it — ‘cause you did it.”
No one thought the Argos could pull off a miracle at Mosaic Stadium on Sunday by ending Winnipeg’s run as two-time defending Grey Cup champions, no one thought McLeod Bethel-Thompson could win when so many were calling for his head this season.
No one thought Ryan Dinwiddie, a second-year head coach, could topple Mike O’Shea when so many were calling for Dinwiddie’s head this season..
But the Argos did, in one of the wildest finishes to a Grey Cup game known for its crazy endings.
Flash back to the 2017 Grey Cup in Ottawa when the Argos overcame the long odds to beat Calgary when a win was sealed following a Matt Black interception in the end zone.
The blocked field goals, the missed convert by Winnipeg in a one-point loss as its three-peat was denied, the moments of sheer madness when the Argos looked to be imploding, the dizzying turn of events that would see good guy Robbie Smith go from goat (when a penalty on third down extended a drive) to hero when he made the game-sealing play to the fourth-quarter play of backup Chad Kelly, there was to plenty to digest.
In the end, the man known as Mac helped to lead the Argos to their win, his legacy officially cemented.
Since the Argos lost the 1987 Grey Cup to Edmonton on a Jerry Kauric field goal, every trip to the big game by Toronto has ended in a win.
It’s now seven and counting.
The quarterbacks who led the Argos to Grey Cup championships in that period: Matt Dunigan, Doug Flutie, Damon Allen, Ricky Ray, and now MBT.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson must now be included in the conversation because he won, and no one will ever be able to take it away from him.
Some of the throws he made Sunday are the types of heaves no other quarterback in three-down football are capable of completing.
He didn’t finish the game when he hurt the thumb on his throwing hand, but MBT will be remembered in the Grey Cup history books as the winning quarterback.
A competitor who wears his emotions on his sleeves, MBT is as tough as they come, and he took some hellacious hits Sunday when Winnipeg’s pass rush attacked the backfield.
No one can ever doubt his will, and no one can ever question his leadership.
The question that remains unanswered is whether the CFL has seen the last of MBT.
If he decides to call it a day, no one can be critical.
He’s a family man with a young daughter.
Privately, players inside Toronto’s locker room have known for quite some time of MBT’s desire to be with his wife and daughter.
In perhaps his final appearance at BMO Field, he led the Argos to their win over Montreal in the East final.
In perhaps his final appearance, he helped lead the Argos to their Grey Cup conquest.
“It’s been a really hard year being apart in two different countries,” said MBT. “I would love to play more football, but the No. 1 thing is I want to go home, hug my wife and baby girl.
”They’re the reason why I play football. I’m so grateful for them letting me chase my dream.”
His baby girl was with MBT when the winning QB was on the podium in Toronto following the Argos’ win over the Als.
When he addressed the media in Regina on the eve of kickoff, he became emotional when discussing what it would mean if a win over Winnipeg would be produced.
He spoke of the team, and only about the team, as MBT’s eyes began to well up.
For obvious reason, MBT said following the game Sunday that he would take time to contemplate his football future, while admitting he still has game, which is understandable because the journeyman was only given the keys to the franchise midway through last season.
Many believe he already has made the decision.
Technically, he’s a free agent this off-season.
MBT is his own man and wants to be the best father he could possibly be.
He’s a Grey Cup champion, and no one will ever be able to take that away.
ONLY BO KNOWS
Bo Levi Mitchell made his Grey Cup debut in 2012 in the 100th Grey Cup when the host Argos beat Calgary.
He started for the Stamps in 2017 when the Argos pulled off the upset.
When he was pulled from a game at BMO Field earlier this year in favour of Jake Maier, the writing was on the wall.
Even though his playing rights were traded to Hamilton, no one expects Mitchell to sign with the Ticats.
Unless money becomes an issue, the team he covets most is Toronto, according to those in the know.
MLSE’s ownership group features Bell Media, owners of TSN, which has used Mitchell during Grey Cup weeks the past few years, including the 109th edition in Regina.
His quarterback coach in Calgary was Dinwiddie, and the Argos run an offence similar to the Stamps.
It makes too much sense, but dollars, in the end, may dictate where Mitchell lands.
Kelly played like a starter in the fourth quarter, but teams need two signal-callers.
The only game Kelly started as a CFL rookie came in the season finale, a meaningless home date against Montreal.
He will have one year of experience under the Dinwiddie system.
Mitchell knows the system inside out.
FULL DISCLOSURE
This corner had a vote Sunday, electing for Chad Kelly as game MVP and Robbie Smith as top Canadian.
Kudos to Henoc Muamba for winning both awards, an honour also bestowed to Andrew Harris, then with Winnipeg, in 2019.
“I’ve been telling people all year Robbie is an up-and-coming star in this league,” said Argos rush end Ja’Gared Davis, who earned his second CFL title in his sixth straight championship appearance. “If you don’t know who he is, you better get to know him.”
GREY CUP LEFT-OVERS
Rookie Javon Leake produced 196 combined return yards, including the 46-yard punt return to set up A.J. Ouellette’s game-winning TD … First-year Argo Cam Phillips led all receivers by producing 96 yards, while CFL all-star Kurleigh Gittens Jr. did not haul in a single pass … Adam Bighill and Willie Jefferson combined for one tackle in Winnipeg’s loss … Jared Brinkman, whose only CFL experience came in the Argos’ season finale, recorded two tackles … Argos ended the game with a plus-1 in the turnover ratio, while their defence allowed only 183 passing yards … Janarion Grant’s 102-yard punt return major set a Grey Cup record in the loss.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com