TORONTO — The biggest fish in the free agency pond is set to hit the market on Tuesday, and ahead of the big day, defensive lineman Willie Jefferson was out East taking meetings with potential suitors.
It started with a report that Jefferson was headed to Toronto to meet with the Argonauts. That was confirmed shortly after by a video from his wife, Holly, showing their daughter Kelley getting her favourite Timbits from the airport.
We weren’t even in the airport 4 whole minutes yesterday before Kelley spotted @TimHortons and had to get her fav #Timbits
Her trick to ensure she doesn’t have to share is to take a tiny bite out each one as soon as she gets the box open 😆 pic.twitter.com/RPmyI2YCXa— Holly Jefferson (@HeyHeyHollyJ) February 8, 2020
From there, the Jefferson’s paid a visit to Scotiabank Arena, alongside Argonauts general manager Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons to take in a game between the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets.
🏀 It’s Game Time #TorontoRaptors pic.twitter.com/eQ8dGpZlfW
— Holly Jefferson (@HeyHeyHollyJ) February 9, 2020
Jefferson and his family weren’t done with meetings, however. They made the trip up the QEW to pay a visit to the team that Jefferson went up against in the 107th Grey Cup presented by Shaw: The Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The 2019 East Division champions rolled out the red carpet for the veteran, doing an edit of him in the Black and Gold. They also had jerseys set up for all three of the Jeffersons in the team’s locker room at Tim Hortons Field.
Sheeeeeeeeeesh 👀 I know you hate to see it… but he looks damn good in #BlackAndGold 🖤💛 #FreeAgencyVisit @Ticats @Stmn_Willie_Bmn pic.twitter.com/N4O76u0Gld
— Holly Jefferson (@HeyHeyHollyJ) February 9, 2020
Kelley B. is out in Ontario breaking rules & stealing hearts 🥰 @Ticats @Stmn_Willie_Bmn #FreeAgencyVisit pic.twitter.com/HQIEmqpT8V
— Holly Jefferson (@HeyHeyHollyJ) February 9, 2020
They didn’t miss the mark on Timbits, either, as Kelley got to go home with an assorted box and 24 Timbit roses ahead of Valentine’s Day.
20 assorted #Timbits, 24 Long Stemmed #TimbitRoses & 1 super sweet nap 😍🍩😴
Thank you @TimHortons @Ticats #KelleysFavs pic.twitter.com/dePjpbhakf— Holly Jefferson (@HeyHeyHollyJ) February 9, 2020
While he was being wined and dined by the pair of East teams, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers had something to say via social media.
cc: @TorontoArgos @Ticats pic.twitter.com/ynJbpJ0QQL
— WPG Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) February 9, 2020
— Willie H. Jefferson III (@Stmn_Willie_Bmn) February 9, 2020
After hearing pitches from both the teams, the 29-year-old said he’d reveal who he’d be playing for in 2020 if he reached 7,000 followers. He passed that mark, but we’re all still waiting to hear where he’s headed.
If I can get to 7k followers I’ll tell you guys where I’m goin and a lot of other guys!!!
— Willie H. Jefferson III (@Stmn_Willie_Bmn) February 10, 2020
They make it so hard!!! Ima just let Kelley B. make the decision since I can’t make up my mind 🤦🏾♂️
— Willie H. Jefferson III (@Stmn_Willie_Bmn) February 10, 2020
Jefferson was ranked first on CFL.ca’s Top 30 Pending Free Agents list. He reportedly has up to six teams that are looking to acquire his services.