Team: Toronto Argos
Number / Position: #27 / RB
Birthdate: August 27, 1976
In the 2001 Canadian Football League season, Toronto
Argonaut running back Michael Jenkins ran through, around
and over bodies to the tune of 1,484 yards - tops in
the League.
2002 showed up and Jenkins ran south to try his hand
at the NFL with the Houston Texans. More suited to the
style of play in the CFL, Jenkins couldn't wait to get
back to the team that allowed him to establish All-Star
credentials. He also wanted to come back and rekindle
an important relationship. "I was really excited
to come back to the CFL," Jenkins told CFL.ca recently.
"I especially wanted to come back and play for
the Argonauts under my close friend and mentor 'Pinball'
Clemons. Pinball and I had a great relationship when
we played together my first time with the Argos, and
I wouldn't miss the chance to play for a Grey Cup under
him. With the offense we have this year and the great
coaching staff, it is going to be a really exciting
year in Toronto," he added.
Jenkins didn't miss a beat in returning to the Double
Blue and quickly realized what he had missed so much
about the CFL brand of football. "The biggest thing
I missed about the CFL was the excitement and speed
of the game," Jenkins continued. "It is a
much faster game than the NFL, and it is truly fun to
be in a CFL offense. Also, I find the talent level in
the League is really high this season, and the players
match up so closely that it is exciting. In traveling
across Canada, you can see the passion the fans have
for the game and it is fun to be a part of that,"
he added.
Jenkins isn't just a part of the game. He is a part
of the community, in the truest sense. And he couldn't
wait to establish a program, Room 27, that reflected
his willingness to give back to his adopted home. "The
Room 27 program is a dream of mine come true. When I
was a kid growing up, I remember getting my first computer.
It really changed the way I thought about learning and
challenged me in ways I wasn't used to. Since then I
won't go anywhere without my computer," Jenkins
offered. "The Room 27 program gives me the chance
to "even the playing field" by giving under-privileged
kids the access to computers, in order for them to gain
the computer skills needed to succeed in today's world.
When we put computers into the first Room 27 schools
and I saw the kids accessing the internet for the first
time, it was the most amazing thing to see. I want the
program to touch as many kids in the Toronto area as
possible."
And touch a nerve with the fans too - a Jenkins specialty.
Many a star player has come to the CFL for a few years
and ended up staying in Canada to put down permanent
roots, for obvious reasons. They recognize not only
is it a wonderful place to ply their trade, but it has
other lifestyle advantages as well. And Michael Jenkins
is no different. "I love Canada and especially
the city of Toronto," he continued. "The people
are great and the city offers a lot to do and see. I'm
going to spend some time up here during the off-season
and see how I can handle your cold weather. You have
to remember that I'm a southern boy, and I'm used to
heat above 100 degrees. But I love Toronto, so we'll
see what happens."
Maybe if Jenkins heats up the city the way he heats
up the football field, the temperature will be balmy
enough for Michael Jenkins to call Toronto home year-round.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Room 27
program or to see how you can help, check out www.Room27.ca
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