TORONTO — Damonte Coxie will never complain about all of the extra attention he’s attracting this season from CFL defences. That’s what comes with being one of the CFL’s top receivers, something Coxie had hoped to achieve since joining the Toronto Argonauts in 2022. “Pressure is not really a thing because this is what you ask for and once you ask for it, it becomes you,” he said. “The crown is heavy but you wear it. “I’m my own biggest critic, I’m real, real tough on myself, harder than anybody can coach me. But at the same time I also give myself grace because you can’t be so hard on yourself and not give yourself grace.” Coxie hasn’t given opposing defences much grace as Toronto’s No. 1 receiver. The six-foot-three, 200-pound native of Baton Rouge, La., is third in the CFL receiving with 65 catches for 1,083 yards -- both career highs -- and six touchdowns. Coxie’s next touchdown grab will also establish a new career mark. Heady stuff considering after his collegiate career at Memphis, Coxie was bypassed in the 2021 NFL draft. He had a tryout with the Green Bay Packers but never signed with the club. Coxie didn’t resume playing football again until 2022 when he signed with Toronto. And even then, he began his CFL career on the practice roster before being promoted to the active roster in time for the Argos’ 23-13 loss to the Ottawa Redblacks on July 31. “You spend a lot of time praying and you ask for things,” Coxie said. “He gives you opportunities to make those things come true but you’ve got to prepare for it. “I figured as long as I stay head down, working and preparing, everything is going to come to you.” The 29-year-old American established himself as a big-play receiver with Toronto in 2023 when he had 39 catches for 787 yards (20.2-yard average). Coxie registered a career-best 67-yard reception that season, one of seven 30-plus catches he had over 14 regular-season appearances. This year, though, in 13 regular-season contests, Coxie not only has more 30-yard receptions (eight) but the six TD grabs are one more than he had in 2023. Coxie and Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly began developing a rapport that season. Kelly captured the CFL’s outstanding player award after passing for 4,123 yards and 23 TDs while compiling a 15-1 record as the Argos starter. And after Kelly missed all of 2025 recovering from a leg injury, the two have quickly picked up this year where they left off. Kelly currently leads the CFL in passing (career-best 4,404 yards) and TDs (29). “He’s big, fast and physical, there’s no (other) way to describe a guy like that,” Kelly said of Coxie. “I’ve played with a lot of great receivers and it’s very hard to defend a guy like that. “And he brings it every day. His energy is contagious.” In 2024, Kelly and Coxie were members of the Argos team that defeated Winnipeg 41-24 in the Grey Cup. Nick Arbuckle was Toronto’s starter, though, as Kelly suffered his leg injury in the East final. Coxie had three catches for 29 yards in the title game. Coxie said there are no shortcuts to developing the chemistry that exists between himself and Kelly. “Just time,” he said. “Over time it becomes (like) clockwork. “He knows what I’m going to do, and I know what he’s going to do, so it’s easy for us to read each other. Just all of the little things to where on the field it all meshes together.” Toronto head coach Mike Miller says while Coxie is very deserving of the individual attention he’s receiving this season, there’s much more to the veteran receiver than statistics. “He knows he still wants to get better and better each day,” Miller said. “We’re all here to win a Grey Cup. “We’re process-driven and he’s certainly a poster child for that. He’s a great competitor and is very deserving of all the accolades he gets but if you ask him, the one accolade he’s working hard for is (another) Grey Cup and everything else that comes with that is gravy.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 15, 2026. Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
