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Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID |
2024.3.3 |
Object Name |
Video Recording |
Title |
Michael 'Pinball' Clemons We Will Do Better Conversation Starter |
Scope & Content |
Michael 'Pinball' Clemons We Will Do Better Conversation Starter, 2020, Born Digital MP4, viewing time 00:03:32. We Will Do Better: Develop racism awareness and spark conversations about racism by listening to the stories of how Hall of Famers overcame the challenges of racism in their sporting career. These vidoes created by Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in partnership with TSN and Quantum Media House share these stories. Transcript: As Canada's national museum of sport, we have a platform and an obligation to amplify Black voices and to share the lived experiences of Black Hall of Famers. Today, we bring you the story of CFL legend, Michael "Pinball" Clemons. Clemons is distinguished as one of the CFL's most hardworking and electrifying players, and his big personality has also made him one of the most memorable athletes in the League. The nickname "Pinball" was given to Clemons because of his running style and unrelenting energy that he used to quote "bounce like a pinball" unquote around the field. He has been praised by teammates and coaches not only for his athletic prowess, but also for his commitment to integrity, team attitude and positivity. As stated by former teammate Doug Flutie, "Pinball put the fun back in football for me. He really did. He was the perfect teammate. Pinball was a star running back in the CFL." Despite his fame and positive reputation, Clemons has experienced prejudice throughout his life, stating: "I've had those experiences where it's obvious that there is a little bias in the house, when you come into a place where you know it's one of those big car brands and no one comes over to receive you." Based on his experience growing up in the United States, Clemons feels that quote "the starting line for racism is different in Canada than the USA," unquote however, he also acknowledges that Canadians need to do more. He's expressed how sometimes in Canada we say "at least we're not as bad as Americans" with regards to racism, but this only perpetuates the misconception that racism does not exist in Canada, "we have to be careful about trying to compare ourselves against the underperformer, saying at least we're not as bad as, because it seems that here we're not as bad, and the idea on almost every other framework is wanting to be great, or excellent, or the best." Clemons officially became a Canadian citizen in April 2015. He has tirelessly given back to his adopted home through his Pinball Clemons Foundation whose mission is "trying to help those who are most marginalized in our community. It tends to be those who are racialized or in poverty, and so that is why we are where we are, our goal is to take our young people from the margins to mainstream, or community to career." Clemons believes that "Living is giving; we're not truly living unless we're helping someone else," and so he continues to go beyond his wins to give back to his community through his foundation, which supports 1,500 youth annually by providing education support with textbooks and scholarships, meals and more. We CAN Do Better, We WILL Do Better. |
Year Range from |
2020 |
Year Range to |
2020 |
People |
Clemons, Michael |
Search Terms |
Athlete Canadian Football Conversation Starter Football Pinball Clemons Racism Awareness We Will Do Better |