It's been 4 days since the news of Kobe Bryant's death and that tragic accident broke. Even though this is a page dedicated to football and the CFL and Roughriders in particular I can't help but be moved by the outpouring of emotion from athletes world wide. This was a shocking event that a lot of us are going to remember for a long time in a way that we might talk about it years from now and include the question where were you.
The CFL has a global initiative coined CFL 2.0. From my perspective it's a movement to sign football players from around the globe and gain viewers (TV Contracts) and popularity world wide. Combines have been held in a few European countries already in 2020. In 2019 each CFL team had to carry global players on their roster. Very few actually saw playing time. I am told that this will take time. The global players have to get up to speed with CFL football and it will also take time to see the fruits of the television labours.
CFL fans and Rider fans in particular are not the most patient group of people. We want to see a difference and we'd like to see it now.
One of the biggest criticisms of CFL 2.0 is that many feel issues should be fixed on Canadian soil before setting abroad for greener pastures. Both Toronto and Vancouver have low game day attendance. The Argonauts and Lions struggle in a market that seems to prefer NHL and NFL over everything else. Just this week in a news article it was stated that Toronto could host an NFL team and the NFL was interested in that prospect.
Is it possible the CFL has given up on "fixing" these two CFL teams?
These aren't the only teams seeing a downturn. Attendance has slumped across the nation. Many fans complain about the cost of attending games.
Regardless, the CFL is focused on the global community.
Or is it?
On Sunday when we all found out about the death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, friends and team mates condolences poured in from every corner of the world. The CFL Twitter account wasn't quiet and tweeted CFL related news all day but never once issued a statement like the NFL, NHL and even Nascar did. It wasn't until the evening that Randy Ambrosie tweeted a message and it was the next day that the CFL quietly retweeted it.
No he wasn't a football player but Bryant was a sports ambassador for many athletes and the very least the CFL should have done was join in the sporting community to share in the grieving process.
I was very disappointed in the lack of response.
If the CFL wants to lead the way with expanding the game worldwide then they also need to learn to play with the big boys.
They dropped the ball big time on this one.
Showing posts with label CFL Commissioner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CFL Commissioner. Show all posts
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Friday, March 29, 2019
News of the World
Is it just me or has March felt like it was 60 days long? No matter as we will soon be in the glow of the upcoming season and all will be right in our world once again. In the meantime, let's have a look at what the top 8 CFL stories were (in random order) over the last month.
1. The Randy Ambrosie Tour. The Commissioner of the CFL visited each franchise city to connect with management, fans, season ticket holders and who ever else wanted to gain insight. He talked (hyped) a lot about CFL 2.0 and what that means for the leagues future successes.
2. The CFL & Players Association met for talks over 3 days and pretty much nothing was accomplished. At least, there's been no news and not even any rumours floating around. The current CBA expires May 18th so there's still plenty of time to get things worked out. Us fans are antsy and would like things settled sooner than later.
3. Ratio Ga Ga. There was a massive discussion surrounding the ratio rules of the CFL's Canadians but also about the proposed amount of Global players. What we did see was an outpouring of CFL players posting their thoughts all over social media and often getting in arguments with each other or fans which was pretty embarrassing.
4. The Combine was held. I was otherwise distracted...Life, but thankfully I had some great people (John Strutt) who kept me in the know or at least updated about what was happening. I understand that the Combine is like a coming out party for possible players because it gives perspective teams a chance to view their skills. What I've always failed to see is how that might make someone a great player in the end, but that's just me, there must be something to it because it's done. It's important to note that this was the first time Global players were invited to attend and because of that there was gained exposure from both their leagues and Canadian media.
5. Mosaic Stadium was going to be home to an NFL preseason game...on second glance, nope it's not...or maybe yes? Between this and Olive Garden my Twitter feed was full of the ying yang of polar opposites. Some (John Gormley) wanted to say it was the Riders who put the kibosh on the event but when they later put out a statement about how the turnaround from an NFL field to CFL field less than 24 hours later, well I believe them and let's all be honest here...would you have really gone to see the Raiders and Greenbay's 3rd stringers anyway? I know I likely wouldn't have especially when I'd have to travel again the next day for the Rider game. The NFL was at first reported as unwilling to change the date and was looking elsewhere, like Winnipeg and Edmonton. Fine with me. Bob Irving also posted his thought that CFL franchises should be pulled for supporting an NFL game...Come on Bob! We are versitile people and can enjoy many forms of football in the world! For the record, I also welcome Olive Garden. The more choice the better.
6. The Alouettes are for sale. Firstly, the report was denied but then the truth came out as it always does. It's seemed to me for some time that their owners had lost interest in what was happening with their team and so I'd think new ownership would inject a much needed infusion at a time when they desperately are in need of it. What is curious is that the CFL wants to be the middle man here and take it off the Wettenhall's hands before selling it to...? Call me crazy if you'd like, but isn't this akin to Trudeau buying the pipeline?
7. Remember when we all felt the CFL was threatened by the AAF? Well Wednesday there were several stories about how the league is out of money. There was a multitude of potential here and I think had they secured a TV deal that allowed us all to watch instead of having to subscribe to yet another channel or streaming option most of us forgot about following it all together. Without exposure, there's little desire for anyone to attend the games and there have been some dismal crowd shots of the games that even make the Argonauts chuckle. Let's not forget that Johnny Manziel recently signed there too and many of us thought this was his last kick at the can but when it comes down to it there may not be a can left to kick.
8. There are some proposed rule changes surrounding the health of our players and the rolls of the referees and who and when penalties can be called. I'm all for progress. When you think of the end of the Riders season and the "I couldn't see" fiasco it was apparent something needed to be done besides adding more eyes on the field. It'll be interesting if all of this does indeed come to fruition.
There you have it! Those are the 8 CFL Stories of March. What does April have in store for us? We will have to wait and see. In the meantime, don't forget to check out ABC Football's Facebook page and if you'd like to have a fun discussion with some other passionate (and slightly crazy) Rider fans, search and join ABC Rider Fans. When the 2019 season begins, we all want to know all the latest news and I don't know a of better way to get involved.
Go Riders!
1. The Randy Ambrosie Tour. The Commissioner of the CFL visited each franchise city to connect with management, fans, season ticket holders and who ever else wanted to gain insight. He talked (hyped) a lot about CFL 2.0 and what that means for the leagues future successes.
2. The CFL & Players Association met for talks over 3 days and pretty much nothing was accomplished. At least, there's been no news and not even any rumours floating around. The current CBA expires May 18th so there's still plenty of time to get things worked out. Us fans are antsy and would like things settled sooner than later.
3. Ratio Ga Ga. There was a massive discussion surrounding the ratio rules of the CFL's Canadians but also about the proposed amount of Global players. What we did see was an outpouring of CFL players posting their thoughts all over social media and often getting in arguments with each other or fans which was pretty embarrassing.
4. The Combine was held. I was otherwise distracted...Life, but thankfully I had some great people (John Strutt) who kept me in the know or at least updated about what was happening. I understand that the Combine is like a coming out party for possible players because it gives perspective teams a chance to view their skills. What I've always failed to see is how that might make someone a great player in the end, but that's just me, there must be something to it because it's done. It's important to note that this was the first time Global players were invited to attend and because of that there was gained exposure from both their leagues and Canadian media.
5. Mosaic Stadium was going to be home to an NFL preseason game...on second glance, nope it's not...or maybe yes? Between this and Olive Garden my Twitter feed was full of the ying yang of polar opposites. Some (John Gormley) wanted to say it was the Riders who put the kibosh on the event but when they later put out a statement about how the turnaround from an NFL field to CFL field less than 24 hours later, well I believe them and let's all be honest here...would you have really gone to see the Raiders and Greenbay's 3rd stringers anyway? I know I likely wouldn't have especially when I'd have to travel again the next day for the Rider game. The NFL was at first reported as unwilling to change the date and was looking elsewhere, like Winnipeg and Edmonton. Fine with me. Bob Irving also posted his thought that CFL franchises should be pulled for supporting an NFL game...Come on Bob! We are versitile people and can enjoy many forms of football in the world! For the record, I also welcome Olive Garden. The more choice the better.
6. The Alouettes are for sale. Firstly, the report was denied but then the truth came out as it always does. It's seemed to me for some time that their owners had lost interest in what was happening with their team and so I'd think new ownership would inject a much needed infusion at a time when they desperately are in need of it. What is curious is that the CFL wants to be the middle man here and take it off the Wettenhall's hands before selling it to...? Call me crazy if you'd like, but isn't this akin to Trudeau buying the pipeline?
7. Remember when we all felt the CFL was threatened by the AAF? Well Wednesday there were several stories about how the league is out of money. There was a multitude of potential here and I think had they secured a TV deal that allowed us all to watch instead of having to subscribe to yet another channel or streaming option most of us forgot about following it all together. Without exposure, there's little desire for anyone to attend the games and there have been some dismal crowd shots of the games that even make the Argonauts chuckle. Let's not forget that Johnny Manziel recently signed there too and many of us thought this was his last kick at the can but when it comes down to it there may not be a can left to kick.
8. There are some proposed rule changes surrounding the health of our players and the rolls of the referees and who and when penalties can be called. I'm all for progress. When you think of the end of the Riders season and the "I couldn't see" fiasco it was apparent something needed to be done besides adding more eyes on the field. It'll be interesting if all of this does indeed come to fruition.
There you have it! Those are the 8 CFL Stories of March. What does April have in store for us? We will have to wait and see. In the meantime, don't forget to check out ABC Football's Facebook page and if you'd like to have a fun discussion with some other passionate (and slightly crazy) Rider fans, search and join ABC Rider Fans. When the 2019 season begins, we all want to know all the latest news and I don't know a of better way to get involved.
Go Riders!
Friday, January 25, 2019
Report Card ~ The Commish ~
Commissioner Randy Ambrosie has instituted CFL 2.0 in an attempt to promote the CFL around the world. During different discussions on ABC Rider Fans and other social media pages it would seem that fans have a less than average rating of how Ambrosie is handling the affairs of this league we love so much. With that in mind I revisited The Commish, a blog I published in May of 2017 and asked fans to tell me their thoughts on whether I had it right or the CFL got it right.
✅First and foremost the new Commish needs to be someone who knows and understands the league in all it's glory and issues. They either need to be Canadian or someone who has played/coached/worked for the league. They need to be fair in all judgements by treating all the teams equally and at the same time reserving judgement of issues covered by law up to the law makers. None of this 'grey' rules for you while black and white rules for others. They need to be in the public promoting the brand and attending games regularly so that fans see that he/she has our best interests at heart...which of course they must have always.
Randy Ambrosie, the 14th commissioner of the CFL, played offensive guard for Calgary, Toronto and Edmonton. He hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba and played for the Manitoba Bison. After retiring from the CFL mostly due to injury he became secretary for the CFLPA and gained a degree in commerce. He was head of sales for HSBC Securities and worked for AGF Management Ltd. as head of sales and marketing. He was promoted to AGF Funds and was reportedly praised for his ability to shake things up. He became CEO of Accretive 360 Inc. and then went on to the investment firm MacDougall, MacDougall and MacTier as president and CEO. It would seem that Ambrosie not only has the knowledge of the Canadian Football League but also a better than firm grasp of business know how as well.
✅This is the Canadian Football League. Let's make it truly Canadian...really show What We're Made of...by having football teams located coast to coast. The fan base is already in the Maritimes, willing and waiting.
Last season the story broke that the league was looking at expanding to a 10th team to be located in the Maritimes. Hallelujah! A contest was held to name the proposed team and in my opinion there was no other name that could possibly ever be used than the Atlantic Schooners. For years I've followed a fan who's Twitter account had a Schooners emblem and was a huge CFL fan. Even at Grey Cup fans showed up to all the parties. The name won the contest and was registered with the CFL. Soon after, and without a stadium to play in, season tickets were being sold and merchandise was marketed. While I think this is a huge win there are big hurdles to overcome as the question of a home and place to play games looms. When the 2019 CFL season schedule was released on December 20th it was also announced that two teams would be participating in a Touchdown Atlantic game. It seems like it's all really happening. If you want to stay up to date on the latest Schooners news then visit their website Atlantic Schooners.
✖Player safety is incredibly important and with new research coming out constantly on concussions then this has to be something the new commissioner supports.
If I had a buzzer I'd be pressing it right now. It would have appeared early in Ambrosie's tenure that he might be the guy to set things straight. One of the first things he did was change the coaches challenge rules not only mid season but mid week. As time has gone on though other issues have become apparent. Player safety should be Randy's first concern. Without healthy players to play in the CFL we don't have a CFL. Quarterbacks seem to take the brunt of this lack of attention while their assaulters barely get a slap on the wrist. Only after Zach Collaros was removed from a game and there was a blatant hit to Brandon Bridge was a band aid applied. Was it to change a rule or discipline the offending player? No. Instead another official was added to the field. I'm not only complaining because this directly affected my Saskatchewan Roughriders but when we live in a time where talent is getting harder to find and lure to Canada we don't want to be losing our starting players to head injuries. This problem is two-fold. The referee's in the CFL need to be better educated and I don't believe for a second that they aren't intelligent because to evaluate on your feet and within seconds that something is or isn't a penalty is a job I'd not want. Fans become irate when told "I didn't see it because I wasn't looking" or "someone was standing in front of me." No. CFL fans deserve better and Randy Ambrosie, the fans and players demand better.
✔...they should be developing a video game and online streaming for fans as well.
My statement may have been a big short sighted. I realize these two things are likely out of the control of the CFL commissioner. Every once and a while someone brings up the idea of a video game. The CFL did come out with a video game app for tablets and smart phones called CFL Football Frenzy. No I am not the best person to play a game like this because I can't even succeed at Crossy Roads! However for a time it seemed like fans were having fun with it and at Christmas there was a release of a holiday version. Next up on the agenda is online streaming. As it stands, if you currently have a cable provider subscription you can stream games on the TSN site. They've also brought out a subscription service for people who have cut the cable cords. What I believe fans are really looking for though is for a game to be streamed on Facebook or Twitter or even by the CFL themselves. Many people depend on streaming services like Netflix for entertainment and why not? It's less expensive than a cable provider. This is the way of the future and I believe if it's made easier to watch then fans and prospective fans will tune in.
✖The fans of this league have high expectations...please don't let us down.
When I asked CFL fans for input on how Randy Ambrosie is doing as commissioner they didn't hold back.
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| John Strutt's (ABC Rider Fans Moderator) assessment of the Commissioner |
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| Jeff Scoggin (loyal football fan) lists his many concerns |
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| Kerry Etter from recent podcast fame uses a Jones coined quote |
Friday, December 28, 2018
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.
Friday, November 16, 2018
Friday Football Five
I had a terrible dream last night that the Roughriders CFL season was over...oh wait..... It wasn't a dream and in fact it's very true and here we are watching 2018 wind down around us. Part of me wants to say "It's Christmas Now" and the other is holding on tight to the tail of a game worn jersey.
1. BIG NEWS. You may have noticed the title of this blog has undergone a slight name change. I decided that because I seem to have my paws in various platforms that I needed to link them all together in some way. I've had this blog for several years and traffic has ebbed and flowed but never anything very consistently. Believe me, I am not complaining in any way and in fact I'm just wanting to make it easier for people who enjoy my pages to be able to find me and my friends. So "Football" has become "ABC Football". I've created a Facebook page using @smilingriderfan where I can post blog links and updates and in conjunction I've linked the Facebook Group ABC Rider Fans, which I started June 1st, all together. So I see you're looking at me with that glazed over eye look. Here's a fancy graphic showing it all for you.
2. So the Commissioner of the CFL Randy Ambrosie (from Winnipeg) took his time all week deliberating on how to handle the fall out of the Western Semi Final, player safety and Rushing the Passer type calls. It was announced that the CFL would add another official to the field. An eighth official has been added to specifically look at quarterbacks and calls to them. I don't understand how another body on the field is going to change anything. The officials on the field were already supposed to be in charge of these things and missed it...not only missed it but admitted he couldn't see what was happening. What makes anyone think that this 8th guy will be any better? Oh look! Squirrel! Whoops, I missed your QB getting killed.
3. At least it's something. Jackson Jeffcoat was fined the "maximum amount" for his helmet to helmet contact, if we can call it that. In the CFL, the maximum fine is half a game check. Not knowing Jeffcoat's contract that amount could be a couple thousand dollars. It hits him in his pocket book but *if* the Blue Bombers make it to the 2018 Grey Cup (1990) will it really matter to him? I doubt it.
4. TWO OTHER BLUE BOMBERS WERE FINED. I've heard around the interwebs fans of other teams call my Saskatchewan Roughriders the dirtiest team. How is that possible when the Winnipeg Football Club had 3 players fined in the same game in which people touted they were the least penalized team? Bombers offensive linemen Patrick Neufeld and Sukh Chungh are also facing fines for late and unnecessary hits on Saskatchewan players during Sunday's game. Coach Mike O'Shea defended Jeffcoat but how can you justify three of your players getting fined in a play off game? As I wrote in my previous blog, It's a Wrap, this isn't the first time for Jackson and now he's a roll model for his team mates.
5. It's all water under the Bridge. It's old news and it's time to move on. This weekend is the East Final and West Final in the CFL. I feel disheartened because my team isn't there and to paraphrase the words of Coach Jones, unless you leave with a ring on your finger the season stats don't mean anything. I'll likely still watch the games but not with the same fervor I had previously. Even though I've often said Anyone But Calgary (ABC) I think I'm secretly cheering for them. Just don't tell anyone!
I hope to make this a somewhat regular feature on my blog sites. I hope you join me in this celebration of the 2018 Grey Cup and the off season.
Friday, February 23, 2018
Weighing A Response
Thank you so much for the response to the blog I published last week entitled "Sizing Up the CFL". I heard from numerous people in the comments of this blog as well as Twitter and the All Rider Fan page. I was overwhelmed by the kind an sympathetic words from everyone regarding the sizing issue of all CFL merchandise and marketing. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, it honestly means so much to me that I wasn't alone in my thinking and that You even read my blog in the first place!
This particular response from Sue Turner was amazing to me:
At the urging of my fav Redblacks fan Hippie (@RBeesFan) I emailed Randy Ambrosie Commissioner of the CFL my blog. I wanted him to know that along with these current promotions of Diversity is Strength and Bring It In that a large number of fans actually aren't included nor can they dress in their favourite teams gear because the sizing and styles do not include them. I believe he read what I emailed him and likely forwarded my email along to those who are in charge of such things. I'd like to believe that he and/or people who work in the CFL heard my words.
On February 20th I received an email from Clare Hutchinson Assistant Communications.
While lot's of this reads to me and others a little like "fluff" it also says a few things to me. They are updating their retail model. They've recognized a problem of some kind and realized what they're doing isn't very successful. Does that include clothing? Who knows. "Current order trends" means to me (because I have 5 years of retail experience under my belt) that their suppliers can only provide a limited amount of styles in the sizing we desire - which face it, is nothing for any of us who shop at plus size retailers like Pennington's, Addition-Elle or Torrid. "That can't be an excuse." <-- They're hearing us with our complaints and lack of sales dollars coming in but while they might hear us there's likely little they can do or are willing to do about it. It's a mixed message isn't it.
Before we pick up our torches and march to the closest Rider Store in protest, I can't help but think at least that response is something. They could have just passed the buck. They could have not put any thought or time into a response at all. They could have easily mumbled something about crazed lunatic Rider fans and hit the delete button.
This particular response from Sue Turner was amazing to me:
THANK YOU 🙏🏻 Sandra!! You totally rocked my world with that blog post!!!!!
I am not petite or small boned (and please ladies, I am not hating on you if you are!).
I have a helluva time finding any CFL gear to fit properly —- and, yes, I too buy guys or “unisex”, but sometimes even those “one-size-fits-all” means “all-but-me”! Is it because so much is made off-shore and their models are petite? I don’t know 🤷♀️.
I am glad I’m not the only one with this issue or these feelings!!
Maybe we need to push the envelope and chase the dream of having “real” clothing sizes available in CFL licensed wear!!!
At the urging of my fav Redblacks fan Hippie (@RBeesFan) I emailed Randy Ambrosie Commissioner of the CFL my blog. I wanted him to know that along with these current promotions of Diversity is Strength and Bring It In that a large number of fans actually aren't included nor can they dress in their favourite teams gear because the sizing and styles do not include them. I believe he read what I emailed him and likely forwarded my email along to those who are in charge of such things. I'd like to believe that he and/or people who work in the CFL heard my words.
On February 20th I received an email from Clare Hutchinson Assistant Communications.
Hi Sandra;Thank you for contacting the CFL! We appreciate you taking the time to write to us with your concerns and suggestions.We’re currently in the middle of updating our retail model (as well as CFLShop.ca), so we very much appreciate this feedback. Often current order trends limit the items and sizes we can offer, but we agree that that can’t be an excuse and that we should always be doing our best to serve ALL our fans. Every fan of every team deserves to have stylish, comfortable clothes to wear their pride on their sleeve (if you’ll excuse the pun), and although we’re not currently there yet, we’re working hard behind the scenes to ensure we have great apparel available and accessible for all.Thanks for being a fan, and I hope you’re as excited for the upcoming season as we are.Best,-c
While lot's of this reads to me and others a little like "fluff" it also says a few things to me. They are updating their retail model. They've recognized a problem of some kind and realized what they're doing isn't very successful. Does that include clothing? Who knows. "Current order trends" means to me (because I have 5 years of retail experience under my belt) that their suppliers can only provide a limited amount of styles in the sizing we desire - which face it, is nothing for any of us who shop at plus size retailers like Pennington's, Addition-Elle or Torrid. "That can't be an excuse." <-- They're hearing us with our complaints and lack of sales dollars coming in but while they might hear us there's likely little they can do or are willing to do about it. It's a mixed message isn't it.
Before we pick up our torches and march to the closest Rider Store in protest, I can't help but think at least that response is something. They could have just passed the buck. They could have not put any thought or time into a response at all. They could have easily mumbled something about crazed lunatic Rider fans and hit the delete button.
I am one fan who is very over trying to fit clothes that don't feel good or look good. Until it changes I won't be spending my hard earned piano teaching money on more merchandise. Let's face it...I, like a lot of other Rider fans, can dress in green for a week and never run out of clothing. When the Rider Store and other CFL stores get in the sizes and styles that include everyone I'll spend my money there again. Sooner or later they will be forced to provide the clothing All of us can love.
I posted a very informal poll on Twitter to find out who in CFL households buys the merchandise. If the fan was single I asked them to choose the male/female equivalent. 46% of those who responded are women who do the purchasing. Interesting, right? Women hold the power in this situation and we can help effect a change.
I'm not willing to give up on this subject. I hope you aren't either.
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Rout the Riders
In Week 6 the Saskatchewan Roughriders beat the Toronto Argonauts 38 - 27 at home under scorching skies. It was a pretty quiet up week with the only complaint being a lack of water provided at Mosaic Stadium. That's how happy Ridernation was because no one complained at all about game points or coaching or quarterbacking. In Week 7 though, it's a different story and Ridernation has an insatiable thirst to chase someone out of town and they don't even care who it is or why.
I am well aware that I, too, in fact am a member of Ridernation, but it is times like these where I hang my head in shame as other fan bases...especially the Bombers...point and laugh at us. Do you know how you sound on the radio? Do you know what your words look like hanging out there on the Facebook pages, Fan forums & Twitter posts? They're right because we are not the best fans in the CFL. We are however, the brunt of the jokes of the CFL.
When will they figure out Glenn isn't good anymore. Well let's see. During the game in BC against the Lions Roughriders starting Veteran Quarterback crossed the milestone of being the 6th All Time in CFL Passing Yards. It took Roughrider legend Ron Lancaster 19 years to set the record and it took Kevin Glenn 17 to check that box off his career stats list. It's rather fitting because just as it was known the Little General would inevitably throw a few interceptions so will Kevin Glenn. This doesn't mean he's not good at his job...it just means that he's human. It means he had a bad day at work. We all have those! I've had days where all I can do is laugh because of the messes I've made for myself. Do I get fired though? Nope. Not even when I single handily broke a piano! All you can do is get home, regroup, plan and pick yourself up for the next work day. I have no doubt that once the Riders offence has a chance to watch game film that they will learn and regroup as well.
The most popular guy in the province is the backup quarterback. Seeing quarterback Brandon Bridge in the dying minutes of the game setting the Riders up to score two touchdowns has created a bit of an uproar. He played against the Lions 2nd and 3rd stringers and probably executed a set of package plays designed just for him. For some reason this now means that within Ridernation Bridge should be anointed the starter and march us on to victory. I could see giving him and Marquise Williams a look if we were at the tail end of the season...which, thankfully we aren't, so at this point unless something were to happen to Kevin Glenn (knock on wood) we stick with the guy who has already won us 2 games.
How long until we shake up the coaching and administration. That statement along with "Jones wears too many hats" or "we need a defensive coordinator" is ludicrous. Remember! We just finished Week Seven! When I look around the league these statements aren't being said by fans of other teams. Jacques Chapdelaine is the Head Coach of the Montreal Alouettes and their record is 2-4. Should Jacques be fired? Rick Campbell is the Head Coach of the Ottawa Redblacks who are coming off a 2016 Grey Cup victory yet seem to find themselves with only 1 win so far in 2017. Should he be fired? Lastly, let's look at Kent Austin who has had more than plenty of time to prove himself as Hamilton Tiger-Cats Head Coach. Fans of the Ticats would have the best case for this argument since they are winless in 2017. But no, here are the Rider fans trying to march Chris Jones out of town.
The reason Chris Jones will never be good enough for some fans (not me!) is because of how he came in and made drastic changes and didn't give a rats patootie what Ridernation thought of it. For that I applaud him! If it were up to Ridernation all the favourites would be here forever, no one would ever get traded and we'd bankrupt the organization to pay them whatever they wanted. The fact is this 2017 team is already better and surging but with any growing also comes growing pains. You win some and you lose some. By August 4th 2016 the Riders only had 1 win and didn't go on to get another until the end of September and finally finished 5-13. This same time period in 2017 and we already have 2 wins. Could the team be better? Of course and they will be the first to admit it, but should anyone lose a job over it? No way.
Where would we be without social media. It's so easy to post what you think you think. Then someone "likes" it. Then someone comments. It's a conversation and sometimes more often than not, it's piling on. I have to hold my tongue and restrain myself from commenting at the best of times for fear of 'starting something up.' It shouldn't be that way. We are all passionate fans. Sometimes we are fans of the same team and sometimes we're just fans of teams in the same league. Twice in the last week I've had the pleasure of being acquainted with new CFL fans through Twitter. They live in the US and enjoy CFL football. How amazing is that?! Lot's of games have been carried on ESPN3. While after an upsetting loss like Saturday is maddening, bringing new fans into the mix is exciting!
Is Rider Pride alive and well? I don't know about you but it is in me. This mornings message in church was about new beginnings. Let's put this game behind us and start anew. The BC Lions visit our glorious new home Sunday August 13th 6pm, new CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie will be on hand and I'm full of excitement because I've got pregame sideline passes. Let's show those Leo's what Ridernation and Rider Pride is really about. The Rider Store has fabulous new noise makers...you're going to need one.
I am well aware that I, too, in fact am a member of Ridernation, but it is times like these where I hang my head in shame as other fan bases...especially the Bombers...point and laugh at us. Do you know how you sound on the radio? Do you know what your words look like hanging out there on the Facebook pages, Fan forums & Twitter posts? They're right because we are not the best fans in the CFL. We are however, the brunt of the jokes of the CFL.
When will they figure out Glenn isn't good anymore. Well let's see. During the game in BC against the Lions Roughriders starting Veteran Quarterback crossed the milestone of being the 6th All Time in CFL Passing Yards. It took Roughrider legend Ron Lancaster 19 years to set the record and it took Kevin Glenn 17 to check that box off his career stats list. It's rather fitting because just as it was known the Little General would inevitably throw a few interceptions so will Kevin Glenn. This doesn't mean he's not good at his job...it just means that he's human. It means he had a bad day at work. We all have those! I've had days where all I can do is laugh because of the messes I've made for myself. Do I get fired though? Nope. Not even when I single handily broke a piano! All you can do is get home, regroup, plan and pick yourself up for the next work day. I have no doubt that once the Riders offence has a chance to watch game film that they will learn and regroup as well.
The most popular guy in the province is the backup quarterback. Seeing quarterback Brandon Bridge in the dying minutes of the game setting the Riders up to score two touchdowns has created a bit of an uproar. He played against the Lions 2nd and 3rd stringers and probably executed a set of package plays designed just for him. For some reason this now means that within Ridernation Bridge should be anointed the starter and march us on to victory. I could see giving him and Marquise Williams a look if we were at the tail end of the season...which, thankfully we aren't, so at this point unless something were to happen to Kevin Glenn (knock on wood) we stick with the guy who has already won us 2 games.
How long until we shake up the coaching and administration. That statement along with "Jones wears too many hats" or "we need a defensive coordinator" is ludicrous. Remember! We just finished Week Seven! When I look around the league these statements aren't being said by fans of other teams. Jacques Chapdelaine is the Head Coach of the Montreal Alouettes and their record is 2-4. Should Jacques be fired? Rick Campbell is the Head Coach of the Ottawa Redblacks who are coming off a 2016 Grey Cup victory yet seem to find themselves with only 1 win so far in 2017. Should he be fired? Lastly, let's look at Kent Austin who has had more than plenty of time to prove himself as Hamilton Tiger-Cats Head Coach. Fans of the Ticats would have the best case for this argument since they are winless in 2017. But no, here are the Rider fans trying to march Chris Jones out of town.
The reason Chris Jones will never be good enough for some fans (not me!) is because of how he came in and made drastic changes and didn't give a rats patootie what Ridernation thought of it. For that I applaud him! If it were up to Ridernation all the favourites would be here forever, no one would ever get traded and we'd bankrupt the organization to pay them whatever they wanted. The fact is this 2017 team is already better and surging but with any growing also comes growing pains. You win some and you lose some. By August 4th 2016 the Riders only had 1 win and didn't go on to get another until the end of September and finally finished 5-13. This same time period in 2017 and we already have 2 wins. Could the team be better? Of course and they will be the first to admit it, but should anyone lose a job over it? No way.
Where would we be without social media. It's so easy to post what you think you think. Then someone "likes" it. Then someone comments. It's a conversation and sometimes more often than not, it's piling on. I have to hold my tongue and restrain myself from commenting at the best of times for fear of 'starting something up.' It shouldn't be that way. We are all passionate fans. Sometimes we are fans of the same team and sometimes we're just fans of teams in the same league. Twice in the last week I've had the pleasure of being acquainted with new CFL fans through Twitter. They live in the US and enjoy CFL football. How amazing is that?! Lot's of games have been carried on ESPN3. While after an upsetting loss like Saturday is maddening, bringing new fans into the mix is exciting!
Is Rider Pride alive and well? I don't know about you but it is in me. This mornings message in church was about new beginnings. Let's put this game behind us and start anew. The BC Lions visit our glorious new home Sunday August 13th 6pm, new CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie will be on hand and I'm full of excitement because I've got pregame sideline passes. Let's show those Leo's what Ridernation and Rider Pride is really about. The Rider Store has fabulous new noise makers...you're going to need one.
Saturday, May 6, 2017
The Commish
Congratulations to me! I've been made the new Commissioner of the CFL! My first order of business is to refund the Riders for all their fines and issue a statement saying they are in fact the envy of the league. I'd immediately expand the CFL and put a team in the Maritime's. Their team colours cannot be red or black...we've got enough confusion there, nor should their name contain 'rider' in any form. I'd fine Wally Buono for always being in the refs ear. I'd ban the Lions from wearing the all black uniforms because OUCH my eyes. I'd hire an incredible marketing person and put up billboards across Canada and outside every stadium peddling our Canadian game. I'd ban the Eskimo's Punter mascot because it looks like a damn angry potato. I'd have a meeting with the Bombers and tell them to get their stadium fixed properly once and for all because their fans (ick) deserve better. I'd get rid of all the new contact rules and let our players play football or at the very least institute the Dressler rule where a receiver cannot intentionally run into a DB to draw a penalty. I'd hire a song writer and get the TiCats a new fight song because what is "oskee wee wee" anyway? For the sanity of @RBeesFan I'd prevent any Redblack player from signing with the "stinky" Argo's. I'd have to do something to the Stampeders for just being the Stamps. Oh yes...and I'd make sure people knew punters/kickers are players too.
Okay, so maybe it's not a good idea to hand over the reigns of the Canadian football league to a rabid Saskatchewan Roughrider fan. However, when it was announced that Jeffrey Orridge would be stepping down from CFL Commissioner on June 30th, it got me to thinking about the qualities we really need at this position.
First and foremost the new Commish needs to be someone who knows and understands the league in all it's glory and issues. They either need to be Canadian or someone who has played/coached/worked for the league. They need to be fair in all judgements by treating all the teams equally and at the same time reserving judgement of issues covered by law up to the law makers. None of this 'grey' rules for you while black and white rules for others. They need to be in the public promoting the brand and attending games regularly so that fans see that he/she has our best interests at heart...which of course they must have always.
Names like Michael Clemons, Duane Forde and Glen Suitor have been thrown around in conversation when fans and media discuss who should hold office next. We always like to provide names of people we are familiar with even though the CFL usually chooses names of people we don't know at all. It's a tough line to walk. We need someone who has a dynamic personality but who knows how to reign himself in and apply business rules and technique at the same time. He/She should be logical, supportive and inspirational in their comments. I don't think holding a designation for the CBC would be helpful while perhaps owning your own chain of stores or restaurants might better apply.
This is the Canadian Football League. Let's make it truly Canadian...really show What We're Made Of... by having football teams located coast to coast. The fan base is already in the Maritimes, willing and waiting. The new Commissioner and his board needs to get the ball rolling on this. It will unite fans from across the nation and bring everyone together in a great big CFL family. I know this kind of thing takes time but I believe we are passed ready for a 10 team league. Having 10 teams also makes us look better across the border, if that's an image we should be concerned with. I personally have trouble following the NFL because there's so many teams...but the CFL? Well, 10 is a really nice number for people unfamiliar with our funky 3 down game to follow. This is the best way to #BringItIn and grow appeal everywhere.
Player safety is incredibly important and with new research coming out constantly on concussions and this has to be something the new commissioner supports. We've seen over the last few years players who are still in their prime deciding to retire because of concussion issues. We've also seen outgoing Jeffrey Orridge provide statements where he denies concussion issues exist. We've reached the time where we just can't do that anymore. CFL players deserve someone who understands the research and...excuse the pun...is willing to face it head on.
Just as that candidate needs to know about health they should be developing a video game and online streaming for fans as well. Is there a better way to appeal to young people than provide a way for them to play or watch games right on their phones or tablets? "I can be Chad Owens in this cool new CFL game on my ipod". Now how awesome would that be? This season the NLL let fans stream a game on social media. This is the way of the future. We aren't always plugged in front of our televisions anymore...we're busy, sometimes we pvr (especially to ffwd through the nasal drainage commercials) and sometimes we are traveling and want to watch the game and many people don't even have cable packages anymore. These idea's alone would catapult the league to another level. This is the next relationship the commissioner needs to foster. How can we bring these ideas to fruition? I hope the next Commish knows!
These are a few of the items I've compiled about the qualities the new Commissioner of the CFL should have, how they should operate and things they should do. After scouring the interweb, wondering what the actual duties entail I found a few pages in the CFL Constitution found here ---> CFL Bylaws & scroll to page 30. Jeffrey Orridge is still commissioner until the beginning of the 2017 season June 30th. Good luck to him in his future endeavors and good luck to the people searching for his replacement. The fans of this league have high expectations...please don't let us down.
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