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Former Argos star quarterback and head coach Nobby Wirkowski dies at 88

Douglas C. Pizac / US PRESSWIRE

The Toronto Argonauts have confirmed the death of former star quarterback and head coach Nobby Wirkowski. He was 88.

Wirkowski, a Chicago native, spent most of five seasons with the Argos as a player and led the team to the 1952 Grey Cup championship.

He also played for Hamilton and Calgary in the 1950s before returning to Toronto in 1960 when he suffered a career-ending knee injury during an exhibition game.

He became an assistant coach that year and was elevated to head coach mid-way through the 1962 season. He held the position until 1964.

Wirkowski had strong ties to York University. He helped found the York football team, served as its first head coach and was also the school's athletic director while serving as a professor in the faculty of physical education.

He retired from York in 1992.

He is a member of the Miami University Athletics Hall of Fame, York University Sports Hall of Fame and Mississauga Hall of Fame.

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