Argonauts.ca Staff

TORONTO -- As he fought back tears, Chad Owens explained why the record he set last Friday was about more than personal accolades. 

Owens met with the media following Friday’s loss to Edmonton where he accomplished what no player in the history of football, let alone the CFL, has been able to do as he set a benchmark for all-purpose yardage in consecutive seasons, recording two straight 3,000-yard campaigns.

He reflected on his short tenure with the Argos thus far, explained how fortunate he felt to be in the position and what it was like to accomplish so much in such a short period of time. Then, the discussion turned to his family.

Owens, who can rarely be seen off the football field without his family by his side, could barely contain his emotions as he spoke about the true record holders in his life.

“My wife and kids are my everything. Everything I do is for them. My wife has been with me from the day one and she has stuck by me. If you only think of the things that she went through - if you think I accomplished something, she is the real record-breaker.” 

Owens focused particularly on his son Chad Jr., the oldest of his three children, who is likely the only one grown enough to somewhat understand what his father has accomplished.

“I’m just happy that I can be that role model for him,” said a choked-up Owens. “Growing up, my dad wasn’t there. We have a relationship now, which is great and I am just happy that I can be there for my son. When he gets his chance, he is going to be able to do whatever he wants to and I just hope that I can lead him.”

Owens recorded 255 combined yards Friday night, his third-highest single game output of the season and returned a punt 36 yards to put him over the 3,000-yard mark for the record-setting second season in a row.

In a year that has seen the Argos struggle as badly as they have, it would be easy for Owens to bask in the personal spotlight. Instead, the humble speedster classified the feat as a team accomplishment.

“What excites me is the guys with me on the field because there is no way I could have accomplished this on my own. Those guys give it their all every week and they are just as deserving of this recognition, if not more,” he gushed.

With two games remaining and the playoffs shelved for this season, Owens feels that as proud as he is of the recent record, it doesn’t take the sting away from another loss.

“It goes back to last year – I won special teams player of the year but we fell short of our goal.  Ultimately, it is about getting to the Grey Cup and having a chance to bring that cup back to Toronto. 

“It’s bitter sweet, knowing that we are so much better than what our record shows but as coach Barker says, ‘this is what we have earned’ and we just have to continue to look within and try and get better.”