The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is pleased to announce that it has re-signed non-import OL Wayne Smith through the 2015 season, and signed on 2013 first round draft pick, OL Matt Sewell through the 2016 season. Smith was granted free agency at 12 noon yesterday afternoon. Sewell chose to return to school this season to complete a special accelerated MBA program. Commented Argonauts General Manager Jim Barker,"Wayne Smith is a veteran Canadian lineman who has been part of two championship teams in his career and understands what it takes to win in our league. He has been an important and versatile member of our Club since 2012, and we're glad to have him back." Barker continued,"It is fulfilling to be able to support a young man, and athlete, in achieving his academic ambitions. Now we expect that Matt Sewell will be ready to commit fully to our football team and being a Toronto Argonaut. We believe he has the talent to develop into a very good player one day and we are looking forward to seeing him in training camp." Wayne Smith first joined the Argonauts in 2012 and has spent the past two seasons in Double Blue. Originally the first overall selection in the 2004 CFL Draft by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Smith has played in 132 games over the course of 11 CFL seasons, winning two Grey Cup championships (SSK - 2007, TOR - 2012). In 2013, he dressed in 16 regular season games with four starts at left guard for Toronto. Wayne Smith commented, "It was important for me to come back here and finish what we started two years ago. I am thrilled that my final professional football contract will be with my hometown team because I wouldn't want to finish my career anywhere else." Immediately after being drafted eighth overall by the Argonauts in the 2013 CFL Draft, Matt Sewell received a special invitation from his alma mater at McMaster University to enroll in a special accelerated MBA program at DeGroote Business School. He spent 2013 pursing his academic endeavours and is now officially an Argonaut. Sewell was named an OUA Conference All-Star four times (2009-12) and a CIS All-Canadian twice (2011-12) during his time with the Marauders. The Milton, Ontario native was also a runner-up for the Hec Crighton award as the Most Valuable Player in the CIS in 2012. Matt Sewell remarked, "The organization showed me and my family a great deal of trust and support last year when they allowed me to pursue a rare academic opportunity at McMaster University. Now that I have completed all of my necessary school requirements, I am so excited to fully focus on the game of football. I am going to work hard to make sure I am ready for training camp because I want to show my new coaches and teammates that I am ready to make an impact." The Toronto Argonauts are North America's oldest professional football club, celebrating their 141st anniversary in 2014. As Toronto's #1 community team through player involvement and community programs, the Toronto Argonauts, a member of the Canadian Football League (CFL), have 16 Grey Cup championships to their credit. For 2014 season ticket and group sales packages, please contact the sales team at (416) 341-ARGO. For more information on the Toronto Argonauts Football Club, please visit argonauts.ca . Press release from the Toronto Argonauts
