Former York football player Jeff Johnson (BA Hons. ’02) will suit up for the Toronto Argonauts this Sunday against the BC Lions in the 92nd Grey Cup at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa.
Johnson played for York from 1996 to 1999 and is the team’s career rushing leader with 3,358 yards. Joining Johnson is former York defensive back Frank Hoffmann (2001, 2002). Toronto’s fourth round pick in the 2004 Canadian Draft, Hoffmann is currently on the Argos’ practice roster and studied psychology at York.
Left: Jeff Johnson
Also on the sidelines with the Argos will be York Athletic Therapy Certificate graduates Erin Brooks (BA Hons. ’99), Carmelo Lobue (BA Hons. ’02) and Jim Christakis (BA Hons. ’04). Brooks became the first female head athletic therapist in the history of the Canadian Football League when she was appointed to the position with Toronto in 2002.
BC special teams coordinator and linebacker coach Mike Benevides was a member of the York football team from 1991 to 1994 and remained with the team for the next five years as the defensive line coach. Benevides is in his second season with the Lions. He previously coached with the Calgary Stampeders.
In addition to the York alumni, eight-year Agro centre Chad Folk is a student in York’s Faculty of Education. A native of Kelowna, BC, he works as a teaching assistant at Gordon Graydon Memorial Secondary School.
The game can be seen on CBC Sunday at 5.30pm.