5 Reasons CFL Trumps NFL

Sunday February 3rd is Superbowl LIII (53) featuring the New England Patriots (patooey) and the Los Angeles Rams.  This is one of the biggest events in sports in the world.  It's true that I am a CFL fan and blogger so what does that have to do with the topics I generally write about most?  Well, after I saw someone comment on one of the many (and they're growing) Facebook pages that Superbowl was like the American Grey Cup, I got to thinking, first that it was a hilarious statement but secondly why do we compare the two leagues and why do us CFL fans believe our league is better?

I present to you, this weeks Football Friday 5 aka 5 (tongue in cheek) Reasons the CFL Trumps NFL.

5.  LIII  Okay I know those are Roman Numerals but did you know that they don't even teach Roman Numerals in school anymore? It's true.  Roman Numerals along with Cursive Writing has gone the way of the Dodo bird.  I had to google it myself to see what number LIII actually is and found out it's 53.  Why can't they just say Superbowl 53?  Is it more prestigious to use Roman Numerals?  Meanwhile, the last Grey Cup was 106th Grey Cup.  It's so much easier to understand and fans who don't have one foot in the grave can read it and understand how many years the Coupe de Grey has been around.

4.  The Superbowl victors call themselves World Champions.  Forgive me, but world champions of what?  The Superbowl is mostly an American game played in the United States except for the odd preseason game which is taken to Europe.  They didn't have to play different countries to gain the title only teams from other conferences.  Players in the CFL hail from many countries outside of Canada including Australia and in 2019 for the first time Mexico.  If anyone can call themselves world champions it may be players in the CFL.  However, we are far far too nice for that.  Players merely say they are Grey Cup Champions and leave it at that.  They're so humble.

3.  Our balls are bigger...or are they?  A few years ago the dimensions of the CFL football was realigned to be similar to the NFL ball.  Instead we can look to other differences and how the rules differ.  The size of the field is different, goal posts are located in different places and the number of downs is different just to name a few things that sets each league apart.  The number of players on the field, the waggle and the Rouge are bigger differences.  In my opinion, players in the CFL have to be better athletes because there is far more movement and because of that pre-snap movement both receivers and defensive backs have to be far more explosive.  I also think the rouge is the most under rated part of the CFL game.  Because of this little kicking strategy it's possible for a team to win by 1 point.  1 point can be huge when it comes to heading to over time or winning in regulation time.  Oh and don't get me going on how much better over time rules are in the CFL than NFL.  We witnessed that in action in the NFL playoffs this year didn't we.

2.  The CFL Family.  We are all fans of our own CFL teams but when it comes to someone in need or helping each other out there is no family like that found in the CFL.  When it comes to picking a team we've seen posts from Joseph Lozito and Brenden Kudlo post on social media asking who they should align themselves with and oh boy does the CFL family ever respond.  It shouldn't be that hard to choose because there are only 9 teams as of right now but in the NFL how does one choose?  Colour of uniform?  Favourite city?  Warmer weather?  One place the CFL fosters comradery is the week prior to the Grey Cup game.  Every year there is a CFL festival held with each team hosting pavilions where fans can meet up, drink, eat perogies, share, win prizes and meet players.  The cost of attending these festivities is much more pocket book friendly as well because you don't have to pay your life's savings to attend the game.

1.  The number one reason that the CFL Trumps NFL is how accessible CFL players are to fans.  I'm sure NFL players support charities and do player appearances but it's nothing like the contact we have with CFL players.  In 2018, I was able to not only meet every single Saskatchewan Roughriders player at Training Camp.  My American family always ask me how I manage to meet these players and honestly it's because they are just regular people like us.  Kory Sheets needs a ride from Saskatoon to Regina and a fan steps up.  Shawn Lemon bikes to a burger joint and fans meet him there.  Duron Carter takes 50 fans to the movies.  Do you want to work out like a pro in the off season and you can talk to Jovon Johnson and have him train you.  CFL players are touchable and that's part of what endears them to us and in return we give them our hearts.  While we do cheer for the name on the front of the jersey, the name on the back does a lot for community service and that's more important to Canadian fans that the dollars in their bank account.