BREAKING: Argos receives devastating news on defensive tackle
The Toronto Argonauts expressed their sorrow over the passing of Jearld Baylis Sr., a dominant defensive tackle who played 10 seasons in the CFL.
Baylis, a CFL all-star in 1987 with Toronto, passed away at 62 on Dec. 30, though news of his death has only recently emerged. The details of his residence at the time remain unclear, but a celebration of his life was held on Feb. 1 in Milwaukie, Oregon.
Standing six feet tall and weighing 260 pounds, Baylis was a force in the CFL. He earned four league all-star selections and was named the CFL’s top defensive player in 1993 after recording a career-high 11 sacks with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
His CFL career included stints with the Toronto Argonauts (1986-89), B.C. Lions (1990-91), Saskatchewan (1992-93), and Baltimore Stallions (1994-95). Before coming to Canada, Baylis played in the USFL with the New Orleans Breakers in 1984 and continued with the team after it moved to Portland. Following his release, the Jackson, Miss., native joined the Argonauts.
In 1990, he was part of a major trade that sent him, quarterback Rick Johnson, linebackers Willie Pless and Tony Visco, receiver Emmanuel Tolbert, and defensive back Todd Wiseman to B.C. in exchange for quarterback Matt Dunigan. Dunigan later led Toronto to a Grey Cup title in 1991 and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
Baylis missed the 1990 season due to injury but returned with the Lions in 1991 before joining Saskatchewan after being released. Following his standout 1993 season, he signed with Baltimore, helping the team reach the Grey Cup in 1994, where they lost to B.C. on a last-second field goal by Lui Passaglia.
The following year, Baylis and Baltimore redeemed themselves, defeating Calgary 37-20 in the Grey Cup, played in windy conditions at Regina’s Taylor Field. This victory marked the only CFL championship won by an American franchise and Baylis’s first Grey Cup win in his final season. Months later, the team relocated to Montreal.
Baylis was also a standout at Southern Mississippi, where he was a four-year starter and earned the nickname “The Space Ghost.” In 1982, he played a key role in Southern Mississippi’s upset win over Alabama, ending Bear Bryant’s 59-game home winning streak with an 18-tackle performance.
Despite his dominance, Baylis was overlooked by the NFL due to his size. However, Kent Hull, a former Mississippi State and Buffalo Bills center, once described him as the toughest opponent he had ever faced, noting his speed and difficulty to block.
During his CFL career, Baylis recorded 210 defensive tackles, three special-teams tackles, 42 sacks, and 10 fumble recoveries.