Former Argos HC Willie Wood passes away. MORE:
Former Toronto Argonauts head coach Willie Wood passes away at age 83 Article Image 0 , The Canadian PressWood lasted less than two years as Argos head coach, but one of his decisions was to start Ferrone as a rookie guard in the 1981 season. The native of Oakville, Ont., not only went on to play 12 pro seasons — 11 with Toronto — but won two Grey Cups and was a five-time CFL all-star before being inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
"So I went back to my wife, who was then my fiance, and said, 'I guess that's it, I'm not sure what's going to happen now.' But from the second practice he made me a starting left guard and left me there no matter how bad I was. From that day on, everything that happened for me was because of Willie Wood."
The five-foot-10, 190-pound Wood registered 48 career interceptions for 699 yards and two TDs. He also returned 187 punts for 1,391 yards and two touchdowns. Following his retirement, Wood was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame and never missed a game over his illustrious career.
Wood was fired during the '81 season following Toronto's 0-10 start. He had an overall 6-20 coaching record with the Argos."He was a kind man, he treated us like gold," Ferrone said."We had the best of everything."He worked our butts off," Ferrone said."He made us do 100 up-downs before practice and how can you practise after that because you're so burnt out?Today's pro football is vastly different.
"Willie's focus was Canadian talent," Ferrone said."The one thing he learned as an American coach was a big part of your franchise's success was its Canadian talent.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Willie Wood, Green Bay Packers great and Hall of Fame DB, dies at 83 - TSN.caWillie Wood, the Hall of Fame defensive back who won five NFL championships with the Green Bay Packers under coach Vince Lombardi and made the first interception in Super Bowl history, died Monday. He was 83.
Read more »
Willie Wood, Packers great and Hall of Fame DB, dies at 83Willie Wood, the Hall of Fame defensive back who won five NFL championships with the Green Bay Packers under coach Vince Lombardi and made the first interception in Super Bowl history, died Monday. He was 83.
Read more »
Toronto Argonauts re-sign QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson to one-year deal - TSN.caThe Toronto Argonauts re-signed quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson to a one-year extension on Tuesday. The 31-year-old Bethel-Thompson has spent the past three seasons with the Argos. In 18 games last year, Bethel-Thompson threw for 4,024 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
Read more »
NBA trade deadline rumours blog - Minnesota Timberwolves eyeing D'Angelo Russell? - TSN.caWith the trade deadline just three days away, TSN.ca keeps track of the latest rumours from around the NBA up until Thursday's 3:00 p.m. ET cutoff.
Read more »
John Tavares pays tribute to minor coach as Toronto Maple Leafs start Mentors Trip - TSN.caMonday marks the start of the Maple Leafs’ first-ever Mentors Trip. Leafs’ captain John Tavares is bringing his old minor hockey coach James Naylor and the group of mentors will be accompanying the team to New York for Wednesday's game against the Rangers, Mark Masters writes.
Read more »
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Zion Williamson go head-to-head tonight on TSN - TSN.caCatch Giannis Antetokounmpo take on Zion Williamson LIVE on TSN1, TSN4, TSN.ca, the TSN App and on TSN Direct at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT. Then watch the San Antonio Spurs take on the Los Angeles Lakers at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT on TSN1.
Read more »