My First CFL Game

"Write about your very first CFL game", he said.

"It was Calgary.  Darian spent the game looking at the sky.  The end."  I said.

Ok.  So maybe it wasn't quit like that but it sure seemed a lot like that.

Picture it.  The year was 2010 and we had decided to go on a road trip to Calgary.  Hubby lived there for a while and jumped at the chance to see his old 'stomping grounds'.  

Here is a major issue.  It was 2010 July 24th to be exact and even though that was only 10 years ago I didn't have a smart phone and if I took pictures they aren't on any computer I own now.  I have zero proof of this trip.  I'm sure there's a USB stick somewhere I haven't checked...

We had borrowed my dad's GPS which took us on a tour of Acme Alberta.  I'll never forget.  This is the point at which we realized the GPS was of no use to us at all.  The highway goes straight passed Acme but the GPS decided we should drive through it instead.

* face palm *

Just outside Calgary the sky grew very dark and before you knew it us and all other traffic was pulled into ditches as hellish hail plummeted around us.  My car was fairly new.  I don't know how it came out unscathed but it did.  Cars in Calgary didn't fair as well.  The car lots located near our hotel and McMahon Stadium had giant dents in them.

We spent the week taking in all the sights of Calgree - we went to the zoo where my favourite attraction was the dinosaurs and not actual animals.  We went shopping because stores like Sephora weren't in Saskatchewan yet. We ate at Big T's. One thing was apparent, Rider fans wore their colours everywhere which seemed to bewilder Calgarians because we were asked everywhere we went if there was a game or something.

We stayed in a hotel across the street from McMahon stadium and we had really only booked for 3 days so when we went to extend our stay there were no rooms available however the staff said they'd work something out.  We were upgraded to a suite.  Wow,  and at no additional charge to us.  There was a continental breakfast and every morning Hubby would go down and return with waffles or "wobbles" as we've since coined them.  You see the machine to make them had to be rotated hence the wobbling part.  It's weird how some things stick with you.

So here's the thing.  I really had no idea that tail gating was a real thing.  I hadn't given it much thought.  I guess I figured it was something you saw on tv because...well, tv.  So when we treaded over the walkway to McMahon Stadium and I saw what was going on I was flabbergasted...shocked...amazed...thrilled.

It was a super hot cloudless day.  It was so hot in the stands that the fellow sitting in the next row with all the body paint gradually sweating down his body had to leave and shower.  I don't remember the score but the Riders lost.  Darian did indeed get sacked a lot.  There was no relief.  That was until a miniscule cloud floated over the stadium and for a few brief seconds we were shaded.  We trudged back over the pedestrian walk way.

But wait there was evidence.  I've found a very bad video which I had posted on my old youtube channel. Here it is with brand new commentary...

How Cody Fajardo Saved Rider Nation

We aren't that far removed from the days when Darian Durant would step back after calling "black 182" and let a ball fly.  I wrote in those days about the feelings I had once he was recovered from his injuries and the sense of dread that would befall the stands at Taylor Field when he'd have to come out of the game.  The sense that 'well there goes this game' as someone relatively unknown would come in and the Riders would lose again.

Since then the Riders had Zach Collaros and while we all were hopeful that he'd be the right guy he never really caught on with fans.  I don't know why exactly.  I saw him interacting with fans at camp just like any other player would.  For some reason we felt detached.  I think that's why when he moved on to the Argonauts (where he didn't play a snap at all) and then the Bombers all of Rider Nation wished him luck.  We just didn't wish him THAT much luck.

Even the two of us in my household declared the 2019 Roughrider season over.

Cody Fajardo was completely unknown to us when Jeremy O'Day signed him in 2019 Free Agency.  All it took was once Kerry Joseph-esc play when Cody put it all on his own back and ran the ball into the endzone for a touchdown knocking the orange cone down in the process.  That one play changed the projectory of that game and the 2019 Roughrider season and the entire outlook for the club.

How did he do it?  With a sprinkle from Jesus of course.

How was he going to celebrate?  A Carnival corndog.

Sure it's easy to say he saved us all one corndog at a time but there's a lot more to it than a little catch phrase or a box of snacks.  For once, instead of feeling the dread of 'here we go again' Cody actually succeeded in scoring.  He scored a touchdown, got the win and gave every Roughrider fan hope.  Hope can be a dangerous thing.  Hope is contagious.

Even on Thursday March 12th, when all the worldly news was bleak, Cody shared an Instagram story which got shared in ABC Rider Fans and immediately boosted all the moral of those visiting the page.

He's welcomed new Roughriders signed in Free Agency.  He's congratulated Grey Cup Champions and those players on his team and others who have been given all star awards.  Cody Fajardo is an all around great guy and very much seems like one of us.  To me he also has some sort of familiar 1989-esc feeling to which we all know is charming and lovable. 

But I don't think I really need to hype him that much.  His actions speak for themselves.

Pogo Corndogs are on sale at the Co-Op $5.99 a box this week.  It feels like a good time to stock up.  Step away from the toilet paper though *wink*

The Grey Cup Logo Gets My 👎

Long before Randy Ambrosie started his cross country popularity tour the logo for the 108th Grey Cup in Regina was unveiled.  It's green.  Is it anything special and unique?  Definitely not.  In fact, it is literally interchangeable with the 107th Grey Cup logo and possibly even the 106th as well.  

This is a side by side comparison of last year & this year. 

Randy Ambrosie was in Regina on "Randy's Roadtrip" which I think is his attempt to connect with fans in every CFL city.  While in Regina, which apparently had 200 in attendance, he talked about the state of the league and promoted his global dream CFL 2.0.  He also helped to promote the Grey Cup festivities for 2020.  The Grey Cup will be held all in one area so it's completely accessible to fans and for the first time ever will be free to attend.  An understated part of the announcement is that it will also include the League of Legends tournament.  If you talk to someone who partakes in this - it is HUGE.  

So let me take a step back here for a second.  My Grey Cup tickets (which I've chosen not to purchase) were $400 each.  That means for myself and my husband to attend the game it would cost $800 and that's with the $25 discount the Roughriders gave season ticket holders.  Let me contain my excitement.  So the Grey Cup festival better be free in my opinion.  Who can afford all this?

Stack a hotel room, gas or flight dollars and food expenses on top of that too!

The province stands to make a gopher hole full of tourism money.

The fangirl in me says "but Sandra it's all worth it if the Riders win at home again." It could be yes.  Celebration in Ridernation was amazing on so many levels.

That logo.

I tend to keep my eyes on the merchandise the Roughriders and CFL produce.  Several seasons ago I posted a blog which went semi-viral about the sizing of merchandise and the quality of it all.  I know that since that time great strides have been made and the merchandise has really improved with new sponsors coming on board.  However, does this new Grey Cup design make you want to rush out to the nearest Rider Store and buy it all?  It doesn't for me.  I mean it's green and I'm sure it will sell regardless but I'm afraid to say - it's boring.  If it's only fractionally different than the last 2 designs why do I need it?

Oh and how much does that green Grey Cup merch cost?  The most inexpensive tee shirt is $30.  Want a zip up ladies sweater?  That's $104.  Would you pay that much for a sweater in any other store?  Likely not.

We know that Roughrider merchandise sells.  Slap that logo on a loaf of bread and we will flock to the store for it.

Let's also remember that the Riders recently closed stores in Saskatoon.  To get this merchandise you'll have to go to the new store at Midtown Plaza or order online if you don't live in Regina.  Why are they closing stores?  That doesn't seem like a good thing for the team with the greatest spread of fans does it.

I seem like I'm whining here and yes well I am.  I just remember all too well how the city of Saskatoon spent tax payer money to come up with “rRemai” and I hope the same isn’t true for the CFL logo.  I love that my team and province get to hold this event once again.  I'd love it even more if the Roughriders can repeat their 2013 at home win.  We all have to wait and see if that comes to fruition.  I know one team would love to spoil our fun.  Meanwhile, the pressure is on.

So You Want to be a Roughrider Fan...

We are coming up on that time of year where we see new fans coming to the league.  Twitter sees its round of "I'm going to follow the CFL which team should I be a fan of?" tweets.  Then of course every Saskatchewan Roughrider fan within earshot puts in their two cents...er, well five cents (because no pennies) and pretty soon we are indoctrinating new fans to the nation.

So what do you need to be a Roughrider fan?

Well, nothing really.  That would be the end of the blog and thanks for reading.

No, of course you need things to show your solidarity with the green and white!  Read on to find out what needs to be included in your Saskatchewan Roughrider Fan Starter Pack.

You need a jersey.  It doesn't have to be a Charleston Hughes customized jersey like the one in the photo.  We all know that players tend to change teams often so no one can place blame if you don't want your clothes emblazoned with the name of the guy who just abandoned the team.  You can't go wrong with a retro jersey and names like Lancaster, Reed, Aldag, Jurasin or Fairholm.  Don't forget you may need more than one.  If one jersey doesn't create a winning atmosphere and gets discarded to the depths of the closet, you're going to want to wear another one with better mojo.  You are going to want to wear this jersey to every major event you attend world wide because there is no other brand that's as recognizable as that of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.  Rider pride is world wide!

I am not a drinker but even I know that Pilsner beer is synonymous with Roughrider fans.  Roughrider fans flock to liquor board stores to purchase the coveted case of beer in hopes of acquiring the famed Pilsner Roughrider flag.  Fans can go as far as choosing to watch games from Pilsner Place at Mosaic Stadium.  Even this fan has a hard hat with the famed Pilsner rabbit on it.

Bring 'em out!  Bring 'em out!  You are going to need a cowbell when the team gathers in the tunnel and we welcome them to the field.  There is nothing more thrilling than when Rider Nation is standing and cheering and those pyrotechnics start going off.  While cowbells are somewhat controversial and not everyone likes them you are going to wish you have something more effective than clapping and stomping from the opening kick off to the waning moments of the fourth quarter.  Warning:  You will go home with a sore throat and a lost voice but it will all be worth it and you will be anxious to do it all over again next week.

Your smart device whether it be an iphone or android will be a necessity for not only in game interaction but for snapping those impromptu photos.  Sure, I like to think back to that time but isn't it better when you have a photo too?  Like last season when the 1989 Grey Cup team appeared on the field right infront of my seats or when the Stanley Cup was brought to the stadium or even when Gainer gets to drive around strapped into his car.  Something exciting happen?  Can't wait to share it online after the game...I mean if we don't talk about it immediately on social media did it really happen at all?

Break out star Cody Fajardo has become known for a few things but none as viral as corndogs and sprinkles of jesus.  In those dying moments when your heart is sinking but you are so hopeful the Riders can score and you look at the clock and say a little prayer...then you see Cody Fajardo take the ball and fly over the pilon in the endzone?  Well that is what has become known as a sprinkle of jesus.  In other words you don't really need a bottle of sprinkles but you need to have undying faith in the most dire of situations.  When it happens and we are rejoicing in a walk off victory there is no better way to celebrate than with a corndog and according to Cody Fajardo himself a carnival corndog is the best but they are available at your local Co-Op in a pinch.

Last but not least the watermelon.  There's all kinds of stories about how the watermelon came to be known as the head gear of choice for the most rabid of Roughrider fans but no one knows the true story for sure.  No we aren't interested in eating them.  Didn't you know watermelon hats are the height of fashion from June to November?

The CFL vs XFL: Should We Feel Threatened?

Three CFL Free Agents have signed XFL contracts.

CUE THE MASS PANIC!!!!!

Ok.  Let's be real here, literally 3 CFL players have signed XFL contracts.  Three.  Is this reason to believe the XFL is a threat to the livelihood of the Canadian Football League?  In my latest video on the ABC Football YouTube channel, I talked about this and I admitted that I don't have a full opinion on the XFL because I haven't dedicated any real time to watching a game and I've really only viewed a few minutes here and there and maybe five minutes in total.  While we've heard for over a year about the XFL coming to fruition the league itself has only been in existence for 2 weeks.  Without watching one can know what's going on.  I haven't read Harry Potter but I get the gist of what it's about.  

*cue more shock and outrage*  

I know that Vince McMahon has poured a fortune into the venture.  I know that it was advertised along side NFL...but guess what?  The NFL season is over now.  Yes, the XFL is on major networks like ABC, FOX and ESPN but again in Canada we get TSN as our major sports provider and all 5 channels are dedicated to curling right now.  So as a CFL fan, I'm not seeing the talk that "KingOfGames2007" mentions in his comment on my video.  All the discussion has been on social media sites.  As well, we are assuming that Vince McMahon will be able to continue to support the league.  It all depends on game tickets sold, merchandise sales and TV revenue.  After only two weeks why would we believe the league can survive beyond a year or two or three?  We have to wait for at least 8 more weeks to make that judgement and while week one saw large crowds week two had lower numbers despite their social media gains.

Reality check.  The three CFL players to sign XFL contracts are SJ Green, Derek Dennis and Amanti Edwards.  All three are CFL free agents.  None of them were garnering interest from any of the 9 CFL teams.  All of them are older than 30.  Disclaimer: I am in no way calling them old or washed up.  I am stating facts.  Yes, every CFL player just like any regular human has to provide a life for himself and his family.  If I was essentially laid off from my job I'd go in search of a new job too.  We all would.  The idea that these players are fleeing the CFL just isn't true.  They are looking to make a livelihood just as an ex-CFLer might go into coaching or training etc.  It's possible these three players believed they should be paid a higher amount in the CFL and priced themselves out of a job as well.  Wouldn't that mean their only choice is the XFL if they wanted to continue their careers?

What we also know is the base salary in the XFL is $55,000 US and that's less than the base salary of a CFL player.  An XFL contract might give these players a chance to be "home" or it may not but since many players are American it's logical they'd want to work and play near families.  However, when an athlete signs in the XFL they sign with the league first and foremost and then they are delegated to a team.  At least that's my understanding.  So if a player has family somewhere it's also very possible they'd end up playing far from home anyway.  I don't see this as a benefit at this stage at all.  It would be no different than playing for a CFL team and living miles away from family with the exception they'd be paid in American dollars instead.

Every CFL player currently under contract cannot sign with the XFL.  Periodtt.  There is the possibility of a player with the XFL also gaining a CFL contract and playing in both leagues.  Think about this though... the XFL season is 10 weeks long plus the possibility of a week of play offs and another for the championship game.  The CFL season is an 18 game schedule plus 2 weeks of playoffs and then the Grey Cup.  If a player were to play in both leagues that's at least 28 games.  Can a body sustain that?  We already know the CFL schedule can be grueling.  Injuries happen just in training camp alone.  It might be a nice idea to try to gain 2 paychecks but at what cost to the longevity of a football career?  How many ice baths does that equate?  Furthermore, once under contract with the CFL unless it's only for one year, that player would have to become a free agent or be released to once again return to the XFL the following season.  This sounds like a CFLPA nightmare.

So now I'm going to talk about me for a bit.  I'm a busy person.  I have a job which I am dedicated to.  I have family responsibilities.  I am a rabid CFL and Roughriders fan.  I'm a blogger and administrator of ABC Rider Fans.  I enjoy shopping and weekends often take me grocery shopping and to the horrors of Costco.  It's currently the CFL off season but I also enjoy watching NBA and Nascar.  I also don't like to spend my entire day glued to the television.  We PVR a lot of things and we go out and live a life.  The only XFL games according to the schedule I downloaded which I can watch in week 3 are Houston/Tampa Bay on ABC 2pm ET or Dallas/Seattle on FOX 5pm ET.  If I intend to fulfill what "KingOfGames2007" asked me to do and watch an entire game - it will have to be one of these and it will have to be recorded too.  There's a whole debate to be had about watching sporting events live... but that's another topic.

It's difficult to fully commit.  We've seen the XFL try and fail before.  We've seen the AAF fold before barely getting off the ground.  We've seen the AAFL go bankrupt after being somewhat established.  The CFL is well over 100 years old and has a history and legacy.  That doesn't mean it's on sure footing either but it leads me to think it's a more viable choice and it's where my loyalty stands.

In the end, if you enjoy watching XFL then watch XFL.  Who cares what I think?  Is the XFL a threat to the CFL at this point?  No, I sincerely don't think so.  The CFL is quiet right now and Free Agency is basically over.  If there is some panic it's because it's nice to have something to talk about at the end of February when winter has gotten old and us Rider fans are busy dreaming about gophers instead of groundhogs.

5 Reasons to Like CFL Half Time Shows

The Super Bowl is barely over and once again there is outrage over liking the half time show or not.  If you missed it, the show was Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and Guests.  It was a spectacle.  Some disliked it while others are out with pitchforks demanding you like half clad 40+ year old women.

Does it really matter if we agree?

As I stated on Twitter (@smilingsandra), We don't have to agree on whether we liked the half time show or not. People are diverse. We aren't all going to like the same things.

So I got to thinking.  What are the reasons I prefer CFL half time shows?  After I thought about it of course I decided to write about it!

5.  The CFL Grey Cup half time show is a celebration.  It's a community of football fans coming together.  That's not to say the Super Bowl isn't, but it appears to me that the Super Bowl is more about television spectacle and not in stadium entertainment.  In the CFL, alliances are put aside all week and at the game to just have fun together.

4.  The CFL half time Show traditionally features more music.  Medleys and mash ups are fun but if you aren't already familiar with the artist dancing on their TV's they aren't going to do much to entice them to be sought out and added to their Spotify playlist.  You just get into the song and then BAM! they're on to the next snippet.  Artists don't have to perform their whole catelogue.  We just want to hear some favourites and bop along!

3.  There's no way JLo could have worn those outfits at a Grey Cup.  She and Shakira look great but it doesn't leave much to the imagination.  The temperatures at the majority of Grey Cups is in the minus Celsius temperatures.  Let me be clear here, it doesn't matter to me if they are women or men...they'd be in completely different costumes for a Grey Cup because they'd have to handle the elements.

2.  The CFL is for family entertainment.  Everyone can gather around the TV with their snacks and enjoy.  There's no explaining away costume malfunctions or stripper poles.  Parties and gatherings for these events are advertised for weeks before hand but isn't it more fun when you can enjoy them with your kids and grandparents too?  I know that's a reason we all enjoyed Keith Urban in 2019.

1.  Dog sleds and flying snowmobiles.  

* mic drop *

As you may be aware, the 2020 Grey Cup is once again in Riderville! *woot woot*  Who do you want to see as the half time act?  

Global Grief

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.

Touchdown Atlantic & The Riders

It was announced on Thursday that Touchdown Atlantic would be played on July 25th in Halifax and would feature the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts.  We had all suspected this was going to be announced since the CFL schedule came out before the Christmas Holidays.  On a week like many other weeks when nothing at all is going on in the CFL and we are all clamoring for any tidbit of news it was leaked that the this would be announced on Thursday.  Then came the CFL announcement of a press conference for Thursday.

Well, we all knew what it was, right.

Don't get me wrong.  It's terrific for the community in Halifax and terrific for tourism.  It would definitely help promote the idea of the 10th CFL team, the Atlantic Schooners, which we are all wanting to come to fruition except for those who work on city counsels.  

Imagine a Canadian Football League with 10 teams.  There's be no need for that 3rd bye week.  Each team could play each other twice.  There'd be no play off cross over scenario.

*sigh*

A girl can dream.

Anyway, soon after (and because I'm married to an accountant) curiosity got the best of me.  How much would it cost to fly to Halifax?  How much are hotels?  What would the average joe have to pay to attend this game.  After all Rider Nation is touted as being the best traveled fan base in the league.

I've heard mention of some people, podcasters and others, putting together a travel package probably like they do for Grey Cup or Labour Day.  That would really help out with the old pocket book.

I'm also wondering just how much of a turn out they're counting on.  I've seen a few aerial shots of the stadium they're going to use in Halifax and the seating is very limited.  It's going to be expanded by 10,000 seats.  With so few available will this be marketed as THE place to be in July?  

Will there be a point at which Rider Nation says, "nope, it's too rich for me?"

We already buy our jerseys and other merchandise.  We help sell out other stadiums in the league.  Will there be a point at which fans start to push back?  I think we might already be seeing a bit of this as attendance at games is on the decline.

At any rate, we have something exciting to look forward to in July.  I will be watching from my living room where I have the best seat in the house.  

If you like where I'm going with this, then by all means enjoy this video on the same subject.  It's the newly launched ABC Football YouTube page.  You can easily access the page by clicking on the YouTube tab at the top of the page.  Thanks for reading and now, thanks for watching!

Well Now I've Done It

Introducing a brand new way for you to follow and engage with myself and ABC Football.  I've started a YouTube channel!  L I N K  Hold the applause *smile*  

I'm finding I'm less and less engaged with written things and meanwhile visual platforms are surging and more popular than ever.  If I'm feeling this way and escaping to the realm of video watching then it's probable that followers of this blog and ABC Rider Fans feel the same.

I can't promise a lot at this point but I can say that it will be fun to embark on a new adventure.

Look up the Channel and hit the Subscribe button to join me on this visual journey.  Here is my debut video which is a short take on Let Me Introduce Myself 2020.  Enjoy!