Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — Ricky Ray crossed yet another milestone off his check list on Saturday night becoming the fourth player in league history to hit 60,000 career passing yards.
The Argos pivot hit the milestone late in the fourth quarter of his team’s game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at BMO Field in front of a home crowd. Ray also hit 5,000 passing yards for the first time since 2008 and for the fourth time in his career.
Ray sits behind Anthony Calvillo (79,816), Damon Allen (72,381) and Henry Burris (63,227) in career passing yards.
“I look at Ricky and I just can’t believe I have the privilege to coach him,” head coach Marc Trestman said of his pivot after the Argos 29-28 win over the Bombers. “Him and AC (Anthony Calvillo) are so similar. Usually you have little differences (but) a person that’s so similar in their preparation. There’s never a worry and everybody comes to our building every day with hope. He gives us hope.”
Ray finished the contest completing 32 of 43 passes (74.4 per cent) for 423 yards, one touchdown and one interception on the way to helping his team win and move into first in the East.
“Obviously the win feels so much better than the 60,000,” Ray said after the contest. “I mean that’s something that I’ll be able to look back when I’m done playing and truly appreciate that. Just in the moment tonight, just what a win for this team.”
“He’s the greatest of all time,” said James Wilder Jr. of his quarterback. “He’s the goat. I’m playing with a Hall of Famer so they (opponents) are going to respect the pass. Including the offensive line’s blocking, that’s the only reason why I’m getting so many good runs because they have to back off of and respect the pass. You see what he can do even when they don’t respect it. He’ll put it in the right place so it’s kind of like a lose-lose situation going against our offence.”
Ray turns 38 on Sunday and says he’s going to spend the day with his family and hitting milestones the night before his birthday is the perfect way for him to celebrate.
“This win obviously makes it that much sweeter of a day for me tomorrow to celebrate my birthday.”
