Argos lock down Andre Durie tll 2012

The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announced today that hometown boy Andre Durie has re-signed with the team through the 2012 season. One of the most versatile athletes in Double Blue, Durie has played running back, slotback, kick returner and special teams since joining the Argos in 2007. The 2009 season saw Durie have two career firsts as he reached over 1000 all-purpose yards (1059) and won Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 9. He dressed for all 18 games and finished the season with 43 kickoff returns for 1033 yards, AVG 24, LG 84, 2 catches for 25 yards, 1 carry, 1 fumble return for a touchdown, 1 DT and 10 special teams tackles. Andre is also a leading contributor off the field, participating in The Argos Foundation’s Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program, Youth Mentorship Program, minor football and various other initiatives.

Commented Durie, “It feels great to re-sign and be an Argonaut for another 3 years. It’s been a life-long dream of mine to be a Toronto Argonaut. The fact that the team wants me to continue to be an Argo means more to me than anyone could know. This organization believed in me at a time in my life when noone could see me playing football and gave me the chance to play football at a professional level in the city I grew up in.”

An Oakville, Ontario resident, Mississauga-born Durie is one of the most productive talents to ever come out of the YorkUniversity football program, setting single-season school records in rushing yards (1367), scoring (96 points) and rushing touchdowns (15). In addition, he set an OUA record for single-game rushing yards with 349. The speedy back is also tied with Jim Reid on the CIS single-game touchdown list with six. His most dominant season came in 2004 when he and fellow OUA running back Jesse Lumsden were side by each in the race for CIS rushing king. Durie finished the campaign with 148 carries for 1367 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. He carried the ball 30 times for 194 yards in two games the following season before being sidelined with a knee injury.

Adam Rita, GM/VP, Football Operations, remarked, “I think it’s a great day for the Toronto Argonauts to sign one of the most versatile players on our team. Andre is going into his fourth year and I think he is just hitting his stride after recovering from a horrific injury several years ago. I admire his courage, fortitude and ability to make plays. I’m looking for even bigger and better things from Andre as he works his way to be featured even more on offence and possibly at punt returner.”

The Toronto Argonauts are North America’s oldest professional football club, celebrating their 136th anniversary in 2009. As Toronto’s #1 community team through player involvement, community programs and The Argos Foundation, the Toronto Argonauts, a member of the Canadian Football League (CFL), have 15 Grey Cup championships to their credit. The Toronto Argonauts are privately-owned by two Toronto-based businessmen. For 2010 season ticket and group sales packages, please contact the sales team at (416) 341-ARGO. For more information on the Toronto Argonauts Football Club, please visit www.argonauts.ca.