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In this June 12, 2009 file Buffalo Bills rookies defensive end Aaron Maybin was on a familiarization tour of Toronto during a visit to the city. After visiting the Hockey Hall of Fame, the he and another player toured and had lunch at the CN Tower where Aaron took some tentative steps onto the glass floor. On Thursday, Maybin was a guest of the Argos when they took on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in CFL action at the Rogers Centre.FRED LUM/The Globe and Mail

The Toronto Argonauts had a special guest at their 36-21 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday night.

Aaron Maybin, a former All-American linebacker at Penn State and 2009 first-round pick of the NFL's Buffalo Bills, attended the contest at Rogers Centre as a guest of the defending Grey Cup champions.

But it wasn't a social visit. A CFL source requesting anonymity said the former Nittany Lion is close to signing with the Argos. Prior to the game, Maybin spent time with Toronto GM Jim Barker and sat with him once the contest began.

The six-foot-four, 237-pound Maybin is out of football after being released in August by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Maybin, 25, spent two seasons with Buffalo (2009-'10) before being released. He signed with the New York Jets in August 2011 but was let go in November 2012.

Maybin signed with Cincinnati on Jan. 25 before being released Aug. 18.

Maybin had 36 tackles, six sacks and five forced fumbles over his NFL career.

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