Toronto Argonauts: Catching up with some former players
The Toronto Argonauts have seen many players come and go but whatever happened to them when they left? We decided to find out.
Turnover. It’s a common word in football circles used to delineate a fumble, interception or things of that ilk. But what about turnover as a non-football fan would know it? Well, when it comes to the gridiron, there’s a lot of that too.
Players who get injured or don’t fit a certain scheme anymore just disappear, often without explanation. Where they go could be as lowkey as a “regular” day job, or as pulse-pounding as the NFL. Both of those avenues, among others, have been explored by these five former members of the Toronto Argonauts who have all taken very different paths with their football lives.
Noel Prefontaine
When I first thought of writing this piece, Noel Prefontaine was the first player I knew I wanted to include. I was 13 during his last season of pro football, but even I know the legend that the Argos leader in playoff points left behind.
Indeed, Prefontaine is probably most famous for getting socked by teammate Robert Baker on the sideline during a heated dispute in Calgary, but oh, there is so much more.
In 2001, Prefontaine was kicking for the Argos and punting for the Los Angeles Xtreme of the XFL. What’s even wackier is he ran in a 10-yard touchdown during his time in the ill-fated league. What’s even wackier is that the Xtreme’s quarterback depth chart read as follows:
- Tommy Maddox
- Scott Milanovich
- Noel Prefontaine
Not kidding. Prefontaine never threw a pass in Los Angeles, but I will give you $10 through the screen right now if you can guess who the only other player (other than Maddox and Milanovich) was to throw a pass for the Xtreme. Have you guessed yet? Good. You’re wrong. It was former Argos receiver Jeremaine Copeland. Small world. Anyways, the Xtreme went on to win the one and only XFL championship game that season, as even in a league doomed for failure, Prefontaine kept his pedigree for winning.
Fun aside, Prefontaine was one of the most reliable kickers in CFL history, and might well end up in Hamilton someday. Until the hall comes calling though, the six-time All-Star is working as a “consultant for alternative auto financing” based in Brampton, Ontario, according to his LinkedIn.