University of Tennessee Athletics
CFL's Argos Re-Sign Former Vol Jonathan Brown
June 17, 2005 | Football
June 17, 2005
TORONTO (CP) - The Toronto Argonauts shored up their defense Thursday by giving former Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Jonathan Brown a contract extension. With the signing of Brown, it brings the total number of former Vols playing in the Canadian Football League to five for the upcoming season.
The six-foot-four, 261-pound Brown joined the Argos last year and immediately found a home on the club's defensive front. Brown finished second on the team in sacks with eight and registered five tackles in Toronto's 27-19 Grey Cup win over the B.C. Lions, the club's first CFL title since 1997.
Keeping that championship team intact has been a priority for Toronto, which this off-season re-signed such free agents as quarterback Damon Allen, linebacker Kevin Eiben, cornerback Adrion Smith and offensive linemen John Feugill and Mike Mihelic and defensive co-ordinator Rich Stubler while giving contract extensions to Brown, receivers R. Jay Soward, Arland Bruce III, Tony Miles and Robert Baker, defensive back Jordan Younger, kick-returner Bashir Levingston and offensive lineman Bernard Williams.
"I'm really glad to be back with the 'family' and keep everyone together," Brown said in a statement. "I didn't want to go anywhere else and now we have a chance to win back-to-back championships."
Brown played his college football at the University of Tennessee and in 1998 was a third-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers. Brown also spent time with the Denver Broncos, St. Louis Rams and Washington Redskins.
The 20-week CFL regular season begins June 22 and culminates in the Grey Cup, Nov. 27 at British Columbia.
Vols in the Canadian Football League for 2005
Jonathan Brown, Toronto Argonauts
Jeremaine Copeland, Calgary Stampeders
Steven Marsh, Edmonton Eskimos
Tee Martin, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Willie Miles, B.C. Lions
