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.