The Toronto Argonauts have signed Shawn Oakman, a polarizing player who came to fame six years ago on social media.
The six-foot-eight, 290-pound defensive lineman became an Internet meme in January 2015 when his Baylor Bears faced off against the Michigan State Spartans. His imposing stature during the game’s coin flip caused a stir on social media with fans making jokes based on his intimidating appearance.
CFL fans have already gotten in on the meme game, riffing on Oakman’s addition to the Argos.
CFL Fans: The Argos are cheating!!
Shawn Oakman: No they're not
CFL Fans: No they're not@TorontoArgos #Argos #CFL @iamoakman pic.twitter.com/kq4eTLvhtQ
— Adam Gosse (@adamgosse) February 15, 2021
The 28-year-old has a checkered past as he was kicked off Penn State’s football team for violating team rules. He was once viewed as a potential first-round NFL Draft pick, but his stock fell when he was accused of sexually assaulting a Baylor student in 2016. The incident went to trial with Oakman being found not guilty in February 2019.
Oakman most recently spent time with the XFL’s Los Angeles Wildcats in 2020, playing four games and recording seven tackles, one sack and three quarterback hits. He had spent the three previous seasons with the Triangle Torch (American Indoor Football), Bismarck Bucks (Champions Indoor Football) and West Virginia Roughriders (AAL).
