Ricky Ray, the illustrious quarterback known for his tenure with both Edmonton and Toronto, has officially been recognized as an all-time great by the Toronto Argonauts. The Canadian Football Hall of Fame inductee will be celebrated at BMO Field on June 28, becoming the 27th player to join the exclusive all-time Argos list. This honor comes as the Argonauts continue to bask in the glory of their 150th anniversary, celebrated last year.
Hailing from California, Ray joined the Argonauts in 2012 and spent seven remarkable seasons with the team. During his stint, he appeared in 79 regular-season games and set multiple franchise records. His impressive stats include 114 touchdown passes, 20,205 passing yards, 2,476 pass attempts, 1,757 pass completions, and a 71.0 pass completion percentage. Ray also holds records for the most 300-yard games in a season (13), most pass completions in a season (474), most completions in a single game (40), and the record for consecutive completions (21).
Ray’s leadership on the field was instrumental in the Argos securing two Grey Cup titles in 2012 and 2017. His impact was eloquently summarized by Argonauts General Manager Michael (Pinball) Clemons, who stated, “It was indeed astonishing to me that someone so quiet could make so much noise on the field. Ricky Ray’s records and multiple Grey Cup rings say more than he ever would. The enormity of his excellence is complemented by his uncommon modesty, quiet confidence, and unquestionable character. He is among the best to have ever dressed in the Double Blue and his induction into the list of All-Time Argos is quite frankly overdue.”
Before his time with the Argonauts, Ray spent nine seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos (now Elks), winning two Grey Cup titles in 2003 and 2005. Throughout his CFL career, Ray led the league in passing yards four times and in pass completions five times. He holds the unique distinction of being the only quarterback in CFL history to win four Grey Cup titles as a starter and is the only player to lead two franchises in all major passing categories.
Ray retired after the 2018 season, leaving behind a legacy marked by exceptional skill, leadership, and sportsmanship. His induction into the all-time Argonauts list cements his status as a legend in the Double Blue history and a revered figure in Canadian football.
