Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner may be new to the CFL, but from his first glance at the game, he's become infactuated with the Toronto Argonauts, the team that Marner shares a city with.
Despite growing up in nearby Thornhill, Ont. — nearly a half hour outside of Toronto — Marner never attended an Argos' game. The Argonauts' didn't make an impression on the 20-year-old even with their three Grey Cup victories in the last two decades.
Marner's first CFL game was on June 25, the Argo's season-opener against the Hamilton Tiger Cats, which Toronto won 32-15. He wore the hometown colours with his Maple Leafs' No. 16 across the front and back of the Argonauts jersey. The 2017 season was different from those years in the past, though. Marner joined the CFL train and never got off.
This guy knows a thing or two about rocking the (Double) Blue and White in Toronto. 🔵🔵#Argos #CFLKickoff pic.twitter.com/dly7R31Bws
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) June 25, 2017
Marner attended games as his Leafs schedule allowed it. As the season grew, he developed a friendship with Argonauts running back James Wilder Jr. After Toronto's win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Nov. 19; Marner, who was in attendance, met up with Wilder Jr.
"He comes in, he supports," Wilder said to TSN of Marner. "I go to support him. It's major love right here."
Wilder Jr. is capping off a succesful first year with Toronto. The Tampa, Fla., native played in 17 games, ran for 872 yards and added five touchdowns in the regular season. The sudden spark that Wilder Jr. added to the Argonauts backfield is what made the 25-year-old the a shoe-in for the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie, which he won during the CFL Awards.
On Nov. 26, Wilder Jr. is set to play in the biggest game of his CFL career when the Argonauts face the Calgary Stampeders at the 105th Grey Cup. Marner, with the Leafs off until Nov. 28, will have a chance to watch the game unfold as the Argonauts attempt to add to their Grey Cup collection.
"Obviously, he had a spectacular year there," Marner said. "It’s not over yet so it’s going to be fun to watch that game. I wish him all the best. He’s got a lot of character in him and he’s fun to be around."