All-stars: Quarterback Ray among 10 Argos on East team

Toronto Argonauts head coach Marc Trestman gathered his players after practice on Wednesday to inform them of the team’s East Division all-stars. The first nine players received a polite round of applause but the reaction to No. 10 — quarterback Ricky Ray — was significantly more raucous.

“Sometimes I think I might get the sentimental extra clap because everybody knows how old I am and that my years are limited,” Ray said after with a chuckle. “Respect your elders, I guess.”

The 38-year-old Ray had one of the most prolific seasons of his 15-year career in 2017, throwing for more than 5,500 yards and 28 touchdowns. His 474 completions were the third-most in CFL history and his 13 games of at least 300 passing yards are tied for second in league history.

Trestman saved Ray’s name for last for a reason.

“I think everybody is genuinely happy for all the guys,” the coach said, “but everybody realizes what Ricky Ray gives us, something that nobody else in this organization can give us.”

Toronto led the CFL with 10 divisional honourees. In addition to Ray, receiver S.J. Green and offensive linemen Sean McEwen and Chris Van Zeyl were honoured on offence. Linemen Victor Butler, Dylan Wynn and Cleyon Laing, linebacker Marcus Ball, and defensive backs Cassius Vaughn and Rico Murray were named on defence.

It was Green’s sixth nomination in seven CFL seasons, the fourth for Van Zeyl, and the second for Murray.

Trestman said the team won’t make a big deal about the honours and he doesn’t expect the players to, either.

“The individual becomes humble in the moment because they realize that it really isn’t about them, it’s about the team and the people that have put them in a position to do that,” he said. Drew Edwards