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| When Bruce McNall, Wayne Gretzky, and John Candy, purchaced the Argos in 1991, from Harry Ornest, it was a highly-publicized event. When the trio signed U.S. star Raghib "Rocket" Ismail, it turned the franchise into front page news across North America, and set the stage for the league's future expansion plans. While McNall saw the Argos as a potential investment opportunity, it was Candy who took the team to heart, (as he did in everything he signed on to.) Growing up in Scarborough, where he attended McNeil High School and played on thier football team, Candy was an unabashed Argo fan. While working his way through the SCTV years, and then finding his way to Hollywood, Candy kept tabs on the fortunes of his favorite boyhood team. And when the chance came to be a part-owner of the Double-Blue, he jumped at it. "Being a Toronto native, my family and I have been followers of this prestigious through the good times and the bad," said Candy in the 1991 team media guide. "I look forward to the 90's and an Argonaut dynasty." |
| John Candy - Player # 91 (1991-94) |
| Source - www.John-Candy.com. |
| While he didn't get a dynasty, Candy did get one Cinderella season, as the team won the Gray Cup in his first year of ownership. During that campaign, Candy was a tireless worker on behalf of Argos and the CFL. "It was a thrill for all of us to to even get to meet John Candy, let alone find out he had the same passion for Canadian football," said David Wilkins, the Argos director of communications. "He also made a point of getting to know everyone personally, not as employees, but people." Watkins recalled that during a game in Vancouver in 1991, Candy rented a boat for cruise in the English Bay, and only office and support staff, such as administrative personnel and equipment managers were invited. "It was the thrill of a lifetime for me," said Watkins. After that dreamlike first season, things went downhill for the Argos, both on and off the field.McNall's financial troubles were coming to light, and there was a group looking to buy the team from him, of which Candy was a part of. But then, in April of 1994, tragedy struck, and it shook the Argo community like never before. Candy died of a heart-attack while on the movie set, "Wagon's East," leaving his many friends and fans stunned. "It was a shock because he was a ranking team executive, but also I felt a deep saddness in the loss of a close friend," said Watkins, words that were echoed by almost all who knew him. Candy's funeral at St. Michael's Cathedral was brodcast live on television, and the team honored him in thier 1994 season opener. Long live John Candy!! |
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