5 Biggest Stories of 2018 in the CFL

Are you an exhausted reindeer, in the throws of turkey hangover and in deep CFL football withdrawal?  This post might just save you.  In today's Football Friday 5 I'm discussing the top 5 stories of the year.  Pour yourself a coffee or rum and eggnog and settle in to find out what the stories of 2018 were according to my discussions with CFL fans around social media and ABC Rider Fans.

5. The CFL expands to Halifax.  When the CFL was waiting to select it's next Commissioner for the league this was one of the topics I thought was relevant and wrote about it in a 2017 blog titled The Commish.  The CFL expanded to 9 teams in 2014 and I always thought that to make the league truly Canadian and unite all fans across this great nation there needed to be a 10th team located in the maritime provinces.  A 10th team would even out the schedule...no more having to play the Blue Bombers three times in a season...and there could be great Labour Day match ups without some teams having to sit out on bye weeks.  While it's true that the name, the Atlantic Schooners has been chosen and registered there is still much discussion and planning to be done with the biggest question mark being where will they play.  I'm sure this will continue to be a big story in the upcoming season.

4.  From Jon Gott guzzling beer to the Blue Bombers climbing their stair cases the CFL Celebrations were interesting in 2018.  At the start of the season things like sword slashes, ball spins or using props were penalized but mid season that rule was changed and they threw the door wide open to everything and anything as long as the players took responsibility.  Read the rule change HERE.  Now the problem is that without rules (and people love rules) things can run amuck.  When Jon Gott epically took a beer from his girlfriend in the stands and guzzled it on live TSN TV well it wasn't long before the CFL was saying "whoops, my bad" and amended the celebration rules.  If only they acted so quickly when it came to player safety.....

3. TSN's love affair with Johnny Manziel was something else.  First it was will he or won't he arrive in the league.  Then it was about him being signed in Hamilton and how he had to sit out while Masoli rose to fame.  When Montreal traded for Johnny Football no one could hardly wait for him to make his starting debut.  I'll admit that I did watch but for some reason I only remember the seagulls and Rod Black's reaction a la the movie The Birds instead of Manziel's actual performance.  I do recall the Monday after the Glenn Suitor discussing on Green Zone how many times the name Manziel was called on the broadcast and while he didn't seem to think it was that much...it was completely sickening to the rest of the fans watching or flipping channels at home.  Hopefully in 2019 the media circus will be over and John will be able to develop into the quarterback we are waiting to see.

2.  As I eluded to in number 4 injuries to CFL QB's was a story from the get go whether we knew it in June or not.  Zach Collaros was suffering from a concussion from a preseason game, Matt Nicholls was out and Streveler made a remarkable start and then there was the devastating neck injury to Ricky Ray who had contemplated retirement in the off season.  It was horrible to watch him lie prone for what seemed like forever before responders finally removed him from the field.  The talk about player safety and quarterback safety was only a murmur at that point but when the hit from Odell Willis to Zach Collaros happened and how that whole debacle was handled or lack there off fans were irate.  Where was the discipline?  Fines?  Suspensions?  Why was the Commish able to change a celebration rule but didn't have the gumption to look at the safety of the players who make this league what it is?  That conversation continued until Jackson Jeffcoat took out Brandon Bridge in a meaningless play in the West Semi Final and in a game that the Bombers seemed to care most about winning because they certainly didn't play with same determination against the Calgary Stampeders a week later. Let's hope that this is a huge discussion while the CBA is being negotiated in 2019. 

1.  Number One could easily be Darian Durant scampering off with $70k, Duron Carter being released, Rob Bagg's return, Messam's or Hughes charges or even how the Eskimos missed the playoffs while hosting the Grey Cup, but, I felt the number one story, even though not a football story was indeed and without question the Humboldt Broncos.  I live about an hour from Humboldt and pass through there a few times a year.  I didn't know any of the players.  I'm not even a hockey fan.  When the bus crash happened I was in New York on Easter vacation.  I was back in my hotel room after being out all day and had tuned in to CKRM's Sportscage and had tweeted in that I was listening.  Rod and Luc proceeded to roast me for listening when I was in such an amazing city.  While I was listening and scrolling through my Twitter feed I saw a post about the bus crash and then that the hockey game was cancelled.  It was one of those 'where were you' moments that I will never forget.  Everyone was in mourning in Saskatchewan and around the world.  The Roughriders held a special fan day and some of the players dedicated their play to the hockey team.  A Roughriders home game was held in the Broncos honour and fans were given green and yellow ribbons to wear while the Riders donned Humboldt Strong on their helmets for the season.  We may all enjoy different sports and even some of the same sports but regardless we are a community and in times like this we all come together and forget all other differences for the betterment of each other.  Be kind.  Love one another.  I don't know of a better theme for us all to follow now and into 2019.  

Merry Christmas

Instead of posting my usual list of the Friday Football 5, I'm taking this opportunity to share.  Christmas Eve is Monday and I'm sure most football fans are checking over their Christmas lists twice, attending parties and visiting with family and friends.

My cookie sheet advent calendar - are you ready?

If you find yourself hiding from *that* coworker in the staff bathroom don't fear...we've all been there and while you're hiding why not peruse last Friday's Football 5 Christmas Edition.  Since I published that post the Roughriders re-signed Zach Evans, Patrick Lavoie and Loucheiz Purifoy. Spencor Moore was traded to the Montreal Alouettes.  Willie Jefferson has not re-signed as I'd hoped but there's always time for Rider Claus to come through with that one.  While nothing has happened in regards to the CBA the CFL did release the 2019 schedule December 20th which made many of our weeks and proceeding that all the Roughriders media took to keyboards dissecting and commenced complaining.  The 13 days of shopping on the Rider Store website was over but they've continued with other sales and while you'd never get it in time, even though I got mine in 2 days, it won't be a Christmas present at this point.  Still, there are some great buys and if a special student happened to give you a gift card - this might be a good time to spend it.

Schedule posted on Riderville.com

The kids are out of school today (Dec 21st) and if you're looking to make a special memory with them, spending time in the kitchen baking and decorating cookies is a terrific way to do it.  Some of my best Christmas memories are doing that with my mom and later on with my niece and nephew.  Don't have a recipe?  Check out my mom's tried and true recipe in my blog For the Cookie Loving Football Fan.  

Those same kids making you crazy?  Ready to send them back to school?  Why not click on the Power Rankings tab at the top of this blog page and share a laugh over all my various "art" rankings throughout the 2018 season.  Sit down with a glass of eggnog & pull out the art supplies and do some adult colouring of your own.  It sure helps me through every season and it might help you as well.

Next week what can you expect once Christmas is over and we're all dazed from Turkey hangovers?  I have two exciting blog posts planned for you.  I'm going to recap all the major Roughriders and CFL stories which have impacted us over 2018.  There are many.  I'm also going to reflect on the blogs I've posted which were the most viewed and which people/fans connected with the most and also follow up with how those blog subjects turned out.  Check back on this page or all the various social media outlets for those posts and if you really don't want to miss out consider subscribing by email.

Thank you for reading this blog and sharing with me through this last year.  I wish you and yours the happiest and merriest Christmases ever.  I hope you see the magic of the season and feel the love shared throughout the holidays.

Friday Football 5 ~ Christmas Edition ~

🎵Tell me what you want - what you really really want!🎵

Baby Spice Image from Food & Wine Magazine via

The American Holiday Baking Show

Over the last week I poised a question to Rider fans on various social media platforms.  What are you wanting from Rider Claus this year?  Is it a quarterback, a new Roughriders jersey, the CBA to be settled or perhaps something else entirely?  The following Friday Football 5 Christmas Edition is a countdown to the number one item on every Rider fans wish list to the chubby dude who breaks and enters into all our homes on Christmas Eve.

This truck could be yours for $34.99 via The Rider Store

5.  Are you dreaming of a green and white Christmas?  If that answer is heck yeah!  Then you better check out the Rider Store's 13 days of Christmas for the deal of the day.  Right now there is free shipping in Canada with orders over $100.  I've purchased many Christmas items in this fashion over the years.  I noticed there is a Rider Santa tee shirt, trimmings for the tree, a nutcracker and the super popular truck with a tree in the back.  Hmmm....I might have to place another order!  Don't forget those Hillberk & Berk sparkle ball earrings for that special lady on your Christmas list.

4.  Rider fans want an announcement prior to Christmas with a number of the teams players who will be Free Agents in February re-signed with the team.  One big name on this list is Willie Jefferson who had 2 top 10 defensive plays in the CFL in 2018 and was seemingly snubbed in the CFL awards.  He doesn't have any NFL workouts planned and says his film stands for itself.  Since he is one of my favourite players it would be amazing to hear he'd be back with the Riders for 2019.

A previous Rider Store purchase

3.  It would stand to reason that many players on that Free Agent list likely don't want to sign because of the upcoming CFLPA negotiations.  It was announced early in the week that the CFL General Managers and Head Coaches will meet on January 10th, 2019 in Mount-Tremblant, Quebec.  They will meet with the media January 8th.  Wouldn't it be nice if all of these CBA issues were settled early in 2019 so the season can get underway?  Read the CFL's announcement HERE.

2.  Rider fans are not known for their/our/my ability to accept change.  Randy Ambrosie has instituted a coaching cap for 2019.  While it seems that Ambrosie has mostly changed things in the CFL for the better lot's of fans are seeing the detrimental effects of this "Rider Rule" since many teams have already had to part ways with staff.  If Randy doesn't shout Bazinga! then we all have to learn to accept this new situation.  While that's not really something Santa can bring us - it can strengthen our belief, hope and will to support our team through the next year and hopefully the number of coaches on staff has nothing to do with coaching a team to winning the Grey Cup...which is ultimately what Rider Nation wants in 2019.

1.  "I want a frickin' healthy QB and he stays around for awhile" are the exact words used by Twitters @trbltmd.  It's true.  The number one item on every Rider fans Christmas wish list is a healthy quarterback who not only leads the team for 2019 but stays loyal to the Riders for several years and leads us to the promised land.  While we'd like to think Mike Reilly is this guy, I've changed my thinking because I don't think the Riders want to throw the bank at him and sacrifice the rest of the team.  Collaros was a time bomb and that's not to say he wasn't well liked, it was just that he just wasn't able to take another hit and when that did happen (no thanks to Odell Willis) just when the Riders really had momentum in late October early November well, all hope was dashed.  Lot's of people think Jonathon Jennings is this teams best hope.  I'm remaining patient.  You never know when the person emerges as *that* guy when you didn't even know his name.  After all, in 2007 Darian Durant held a clip board and look how that turned out.  No matter the name of the quarterback, he's going to have to be strong of character because Rider Nation has HUGE expectations.

Dear Rider Claus... ($39.99 @ The Rider Store)

Thank you for being a reader of ABC Football and supporting all my adventures.  You can always find me on twitter (@smilingsandra), on facebook and instagram (@smilingriderfan) and don't forget to join ABC Rider Fans to get the scoop in 2019. I hope you find magic and sparkle over this holiday season and may Rider Claus bring us all our deepest hearts desire.  Go Riders!

For the Cookie Loving Football Fan

From "Christmas Cookies" by George Strait

A member at ABC Rider Fans Facebook Group asked that I post my recipe of cookies which were pictured at the end of Friday Footbal 5.  I saw a meme last week that says every recipe blog starts off with how the blogger was out for a wintery walk and it reminded them of tobogganing as a child and yadda yadda yadda and the poster just wanted to hurry up and get to the recipe and who cares about the other stuff.  While I do feel the pain of having to navigate all that nonsense to get to the real information I think we all want to share our warm fuzzy memories of the season with our readers, family and friends.

I was not an athletic person whatsoever so I've mentioned my last bit about tobogganing, but what I can tell you is that some of my fondest Christmas memories are of my Mom and me baking cookies. I remember having to kneel on a kitchen chair at the cupboard and watching with wild anticipation as Mom would roll out the dough and then we'd choose just the exactly right cookie cutters.  I was really blessed to have a childhood which contains sweet memories like these.  I was equally fortunate to have a niece and nephew who I was close to, so when I was older and married I'd invite them to my house to make cookies.  One year in particular, my niece was sick and couldn't come for cookie decorating so my nephew and I did it but put some aside in a special care package to take to her.  She proclaimed that the Christmas cookies held special healing powers because upon eating them she immediately was feeling better.

Flash forward to rabid Saskatchewan Roughrider @smilingriderfan.  I purchased a set of Wilton Football Themed cookie cutters several years ago.  This LINK will take you to the American website however you can likely still pick them up at Michael's Craft Store (as I did) or if you like to avoid real shopping during this time of year, they are also in stock on Amazon.ca.  The set includes shapes for pennants, footballs, jerseys and helmets.  I only used the jerseys and helmets although the recipe, which is coming up soon, makes enough cookies for the whole neighbourhood and then some, but I also felt I needed to make Christmas shapes too.  Of course you may have a favourite sugar cookie recipe or you might not have the time and in that case Pillsbury will do just fine.

Makes 5 dozen cookies

Without dragging it out farther... here is the recipe for Mom's Sugar Cookies.  There isn't any special instructions except throw it all in a mixer to combine.  Form it into a roll, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.  If you don't refrigerate the dough it will be pretty much disastrous and frustrating as the dough won't be able to be worked with.  Roll out the dough and cut into shapes, football themed or otherwise and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 8 minutes.  I use silicon mats on my baking sheets so the cookies don't get overly brown and so cleanup is a snap.  One substitution you can make is the butter/shortening.  You can use margarine instead and the recipe still turns out wonderfully.



Once the cookies are completely cooled you can frost them with your favourite method.  Back as a kid we'd just use your regular butter cream home made frosting with a myriad of sprinkles.  These days because my Hubby calls sprinkles "gravel" I bypass that method.  This year I purchased Cakemate Cookie Icing in various colours and although it didn't turn out to be my favourite product the cookies turned out pretty and tasty.

Go Riders!

Maybe you want to make a batch of these for your favourite Riders fan or just make some sweet memories with some close family members.  I hope this blog, even though it's strayed from it's normal football talk, was enjoyable to read and if it was please share it with others on your Christmas list.  Nothing says love like a home made gift wrapped stack of sugar cookies shared with our CFL family and friends.

Oh Snap! Looks pretty happy for a guy who just lost a leg!