All-Star Specialist Bids Adieu to Toronto Argonauts
Just days before the start of free agency, CFL All-Star specialist Boris Bede announced that his time with the Toronto Argonauts has ended.
On his Instagram account, the veteran specialist and pending free agent informed his followers on Sunday morning that he and the Argonauts were parting ways because Toronto is going in a different direction.
The beloved 6-4, 225-pount specialist is an eight-year CFL veteran and three-time All-Star. He's the CFL's all-time leader in kickoff average. For his career, Bede has converted 213 field goals at an 82% clip and averaged 44.2 yards per punt.
Bede, 34, was born in France and grew up playing soccer. He arrived in the United States in 2005 and played at Framingham High School in Massachusetts. The multi-talented specialist also participated in track and field.
Bede spent five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, where he would be named an All-Star. Establishing himself in Canada as having the strongest leg in the league as a kickoff specialist, punter and placekicker.
Bede was traded to the Argos for fellow kicker Taylor Crapigna in 2020. However, he did not get a chance to immediately show off his skills in the Six due to the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season, but he re-signed with Toronto in 2020.
He played in his first Grey Cup in 2022. He was successful on both conversion attempts, including the game-winning conversion as the Argonauts defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24–23.
Before Bede arrived in Toronto, the Argos had their fair share of struggles in the kicking department. Replacing Bede, who is still classified as an American despite living in Canada for several years, will be very challenging for the Boatmen.
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Mike Mitchell is a pro football writer/insider with decades of experience covering and following multiple leagues. He covers the New York Jets for TheJetPress.com at FanSided. He has also written for XFL Board and at Hub Publishing covering the CFL, XFL and USFL.