He's been out of the day-to-day action of the Canadian Football League for four seasons, but Michael "Pinball" Clemons couldn't be happier.  

The CFL Hall of Fame inductee was in Regina on Monday as the keynote speaker at the 107th Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association Convention and you could see instantly what made him a successful coach, following a legendary playing career.

Clemons spoke with excitement and intensity for over an hour as the over 800 municipal leaders held on to every word of the former Toronto Argonaut.  He talked about finding your “sweet spot” and executing your dreams.

The 47-year-old Clemons appears to have found his “sweet spot” four years into his retirement.  “The greatest job you can ask for is one that you love and enjoy and look forward to everyday and for me that’s being a husband and a dad, so for me that’s the biggest and most important job,” said Clemons.

Pinball played twelve seasons with the Argonauts, winning four Grey Cups and setting the CFL record for all-purpose yards with 25,438 combined yards.  After his playing career ended in 2000, he moved to the sidelines and front office where he would win another Grey Cup in 2004, the first African American head coachin CFL history to do so.

Clemons says he loved football, but loves what he’s doing now just as much, “The fact is while it isn’t the same as coaching, I loved coaching, but my life is better today.  When I look at my whole life experience and the amount of time I get with my family.  When I look at it as a whole quality of life, my life is better today.”

Now working as the Vice-Chair for the Argos and special advisory to president and CEO Bob Nicholson, Clemons lives in Oakville, Ontario with his wife and three kids, but says he always enjoys coming back to Rider Nation, “I don’t know between Easterns and those in the Prairies, it’s hard to say (where I like more), but nothing like that Rider Pride though, there’s no question Rider fans are the best on the planet.”

Clemons shared some advice for young football players out there, saying to love the game, “Play the game, not just when it’s in the season and when it’s structured, but go out and throw the ball around during the offseason, when you’re not playing and you don’t have practice and throw around and have a little fun.  Learn the game, watch it.  Learn the details of the game and watch as much football as you can.  Watch the little kids play as well as the Riders play.

“Then when the time is appropriate, begin to form your body, begin to get down and do some push-ups and sit-ups.  You don’t need to lift a lot of weight, you can do squats with no weight, you can begin to graduate from there and take care of your body.”

Clemons headed to Saskatoon after his speech for yet another speaking engagement, but appears to have found his real game or “sweet spot”.

Marc Smith caught up with Michael “Pinball” Clemons following his keynote address at the SUMA Convention.