CFL Week appeared to be a success. Players, coaches, media, podcasters and fans joined in a week long schedule of events including a fan fest and the combine. It looked fun if you were fortunate enough to attend. What if you weren't there? I'm not moaning about myself not being able to go, but instead wondering how easy it was to follow along if you were elsewhere. During the day there was a flurry of Twitter posts. I found it difficult to follow what was happening and honestly scrolled past most of it as none of it seemed to be very meaningful to the average fan. What was exciting was seeing the posts about the autograph sessions and who had met what player and was finally able to capture that long desired photo. It seems that everyone who went says it needs to be an annual event and of course it will be. What struck me as odd is as how inclusive the CFL is this event made it exclusive. By that I mean football is practically at our fingertips and in our ears everyday...at least it is in Saskatchewan. Grey Cup is an awesome festival including fans from every walk of life ending in the celebration of our epic Canadian game. CFL Week though, if you weren't there you are pretty much out of the loop. It was the who's who of CFL football and if you weren't there you're a nobody. I'm not sure that's the way to attract fans to the games and events.
Shrugs.
Big news at CFL Week was Darian Durant returning to say goodbye to Ridernation. While packing up to move east he gave some interviews and burnt some bridges. "I don't think I was ever Jones' guy." I had vowed that I was done discussing the whole Durant trade issue and even quipped "I gave up Darian Durant for Lent." I don't care if Darian's feelings were hurt that he was called mediocre or that Jones wouldn't negotiate or whatever other things were said. Before you all freak out, I was a huge huge fan and supporter for 10 years and it was exhausting. The simple reason is this - I don't have to defend him anymore. Chris Jones did what he had to do for the development of our team. Jones is paid to make these decisions...not the popular ones, but the decisions which better the Saskatchewan Roughriders team. As they say, I am a fan of the name on the front of the jersey not the back...but I still have my favourites of course! What I didn't realize about Durant's return was all the complaining and whining that it would create - Fire Jones! I've held my breath in anticipation as Durant takes the field...goes 2 and out and my heart sinks. My guts say that's how his first series will go as an Allouette if not the first three series. If he makes it to Labour Day uninjured the Allouettes will be very lucky. Take it from Ridernation...don't be complacent. Keep looking for the next quarterback or you'll fall victim to the no back up syndrome as well. As I said I was a huge fan of Doubles, but every time he was slow to get up, looked like he might be injured or sat out a series it sent the stands of Taylor Field and the whole team into a frenzy. In the same way he completely elevated the game with the tenor of his voice while on the field...he'd totally and completely take the wind out of our sails with the fear of injury...again. I am one fan who is tired of that drama and I'm so excited to be moving on.
Some people said they'd give up their season tickets over that whole ordeal. I'd like to know if fans actually kept their word or not. It doesn't matter to me anymore because my wait is over. Yes [ insert drum roll here ] I am officially a season ticket holder. Once upon a time I was told my opinion didn't count because I wasn't a season ticket holder. Well, now what? Does my opinion count now? Do I get points? No, that was just what other Rider fans say to each other to try to intimidate others much in the same way the term bandwagoner is used. I've been told to take off the green goggles, don't be so biased and to do some research before posting my opinions on social media. What makes you think I don't? Just because I'm not willing to follow the crowd before asking questions and being skeptical I am name called and unfollowed. No one gives you a second to explain yourself nor are they interested in your reasoning before telling you you're flat out wrong. What context? It doesn't exist. Nice. Isn't it fantastic how the supposedly greatest fans in the league treat eachother?! I suspect face to face none of that would happen but in this social media age you can get away with it. In person it would be called bullying. Let's be tolerant, hold hands and sing kumbaya, but you take what a reporter says with a grain of salt and you're ridiculed. It's really dumb isn't it. If a fan has to research every CFL related headline and story before forming an opinion, why can't the fans expect the same diligence of the media and columnists? A source close to the team...my source says...I stand by my source...
* eyeroll *
So Bryan Adams, Our Lady Peace and Johnny Reed are playing the first concert at New Mosaic Stadium. I saw Bryan Adams in concert in 1991 at SaskPlace. I was in the front row and couldn't hear for a week after. I've seen Johnny Reed in concert too. I had to ask a friend about who Our Lady Peace was but that's just me. I won't be going to the concert although my new Rider season tickets allow me to get first dibs. It's May 27th and I will be on the final day of my own music festival here in Saskatoon. That aside, I had hoped for someone bigger, newer and more popular.
Hubby says we need football season to start and he has never been more correct. It's April and we are inching closer. We've got the draft to get through, then soon after training camp will open in Saskatoon. Before we know it, it'll be July 1st and we will all be together at new Mosaic Stadium and celebrating Canada's 150th birthday. All this off season will be long forgotten chatter...at least that's what my sources say.
