The Toronto Argonauts signed star quarterback Ricky Ray to a contract extension through the 2015 Canadian Football League season, the team announced Friday.
“We have worked hard to establish a culture of winning within our football team and it all begins with top calibre players like Ricky Ray,” Argos general manager Jim Barker said in a press release.
“Securing him as an Argonaut for the long-term ensures us stability at a key position and makes a clear statement to our fans and our city that we are serious about fielding a competitive club year in and year out. This is a very exciting announcement for the future of our franchise.”
Ray was acquired by the Argos from the Edmonton Eskimos in a trade last off-season and in his first season in Toronto set a single season club record for completion percentage (68.6 per cent) and threw for 4,059 yards and 20 touchdowns in 14 games.
The 11-year CFL veteran played his best football late in the season and led the Argos to a victory over the Calgary Stampeders in the 100th Grey Cup last season.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to be in Toronto for the years ahead and to build off of the success we had in 2012,” Ray said. “I enjoy playing in Toronto in front of our fans, and I look forward to working with my teammates and coaches with the goal of winning another Grey Cup.”
Argos head coach Scott Milanovich added: “Ricky Ray one day will be in the Hall of Fame. More importantly, he is a tremendous teammate and an even better person. I could not be happier that he has chosen to remain the face of our organization for the foreseeable future.”
