Michael Clemons
Celebrity Peace Ambassador Award
The International Peace Alliance | Alliance Internationale de la Paix (IPA-AIP) is honoured to announce that Mr. Michael “Pinball” Clemons has been named the recipient of the 2025 IPA | AIP Celebrity Peace Ambassador Award, recognizing his unwavering commitment to peacebuilding, community empowerment, and the intentional use of sport to foster peace, understanding, and social justice.
The IPA | AIP Celebrity Peace Ambassador Award is presented annually to a public figure in culture and entertainment who uses their platform to advance human rights, solidarity, and peace. Mr. Clemons exemplifies these values through his leadership on and off the field, using sport as a transformative tool to inspire and empower individuals and communities.
As a former all-star running back, Grey Cup-winning coach, and current General Manager of the Toronto Argonauts, Mr. Clemons is celebrated not only for his achievements in Canadian football but also for his tireless philanthropic efforts and motivational leadership. Known for his electric personality and infectious spirit, Mr. Clemons has redefined the meaning of community involvement, working with charities, schools, and community groups to create opportunities for marginalized youth.
Through The Pinball Clemons Foundation, he has dedicated himself to empowering disadvantaged youth, providing them with educational resources and pathways to success, while fostering a culture of hope and resilience. He has also founded the Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation, further expanding his commitment to using sport as a vehicle for positive social change.
A Florida native and William & Mary economics graduate, Mr. Clemons joined the Canadian Football League in 1989 and became renowned as one of the most electrifying players in professional football, retiring with a record 25,438 combined career yards. He transitioned to coaching, becoming the first and only Black Head Coach in CFL history to win the Grey Cup, and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Mr. Clemons has received numerous honours throughout his career, including:
• Canadian Football Hall of Fame (2008)
• Ontario Sports Hall of Fame (2009)
• Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (2016)
• Order of Ontario (2001)
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013)
• Meritorious Service Cross (2021)
• Multiple honorary doctorates recognizing his contributions to community and education
His football achievements include CFL’s Most Outstanding Player (1990), multiple Grey Cup championships, and his #31 jersey retired by the Toronto Argonauts, an honour shared by only four players in the team’s history.
The IPA | AIP Celebrity Peace Ambassador Award will be formally presented to Mr. Clemons at the Peace Ambassadors Awards Gala & Grand Ball, the culminating event of the 2025 International Peace Festival, on September 26, 2025, at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto, Canada.
Mr. Clemons’ advocacy for using sport as a means to promote peace, respect, and cooperation among individuals and communities stands as a testament to his vision, generosity, and unwavering commitment to building a better world for all. His leadership demonstrates the power of sport to advance peace and social justice, inspiring generations to strive for excellence on the field and in life.