Based on my previous (mostly) futile attempts to give the CFL a bit of a profile on Outsports, I was reluctant to start this thread, but what the hell...

Grey Cup

I was cheering for the BC Lions, partly because Vancouver is much closer but also because the Lions' coach (Wally Buono) and cute QB Dave Dickenson both had successful careers in Calgary. In addition the talented Lions (13-5 in the regular season) were favoured to beat the 'offensively-challenged' Toronto Argonauts (10-7-1), better known for their defence and special teams. The Lions took an early lead, but the boys in blue came back and won 27-19. Congratulations to their their likeable coach (and former Argo player) 'Pinball' Clemons, classy QB Damon Allen and the rest of the team. At 41, Allen is the oldest player in the CFL and I believe is the only grandfather to play in any pro football game. He has been a fixture here for two decades, having played for several teams. His brother Marcus (who played for the Los Angeles Raiders) was at the game cheering him on. As for BC's QB Dave Dickenson, he was quick to praise the contributions of Casey Printers, the excellent rookie QB who filled in for the injured Dickenson much of the past season.

I wish I got more CFL coverage down here in L.A. I try to follow it as much as possible as quite a few players from the smaller college schools make it in the CFL, such as Dave Dickenson. They used to show a lot of CFL games in MT. We'll have to try to make seasonal thread for next season in hopes of getting more posters interested in the game.

Stinger, since Los Angeles still has no NFL team (despite being the second biggest metro area in the US and at one time had two teams), maybe the CFL should expand into your market? I'm kidding of course...the CFL's US experiment wasn't very successful in the 1990s. Instead the league seems serious (after many years of speculation) about adding a tenth Canadian franchise, likely in Halifax.

When Dave Dickenson QB'd for the Stampeders a few years ago, I think some of his fans from Montana used to make the trip up here to see him play. BTW, I like your idea about a CFL thread next year (as long as I'm not the only one posting, of course )

It would help if the CFL got some TV exposure in the USA...obviously it's not going to be prime time on a major network here but with all the cable sports outlets trying to fill time slots you'd think that someone would squeeze it into their schedule, in this supposedly football-mad nation.

You also might want to have one of those CFL players meet up with a towel-wearing Desperate Housewife in the locker room. wink

I did see part of an edited replay of the Toronto/Montreal playoff game. Fox Sports net feed, and I think it was in place of an Islanders game.

Not to go off topic, but they're throwing in some other sports into those hockey game slots as well. I have seen some Aussie Rules football, Grand Prix racing, college hockey (mmmmm.... college hockey ) and, of course, worldwide soccer matches.

I wonder whether my ex has sobered up since Sunday's game. He's a lifelong Argos fan, so I know he has to be ecstatic right now.

When I lived in MT I think it was Fox Sports Network that would show the games. And I thought that the playoffs and the Grey Cup were shown on ESPN2 or something as well.

I don't really have a team that I follow too much in the CFL, but I do try to follow Dave Dickenson. I'm a big Griz (U of MT) fan and like to see their players do well. Plus Dave always seemed like a really good guy. Somebody you'd want to cheer for.

There was a parade and rally in downtown TO today for the ARRRRRRRR---GOOOOOOOOOOOS!

A few days off to watch the game? Now that's dedication. wink

I had a chance to see the game on TV live on Fox Sports Net via CBC's feed. Being up in Rochester, I have had a chance to see the Argos play at the SkyDome a couple of times in the past few years. And the game was played approx. 5 1/2 hours away Northeast in Ottawa.

Interestingly enough, I've seen more CFL games than NFL games by a 2-1 margin: 2 games to 1.

I don't really have a preference in leagues. I just enjoy watching good football and this was very competitive right into the final seconds of the game.

The Argos win was even sweeter since they were the underdog.

Thanks for starting this topic.

Living in Ottawa, I took part in some of the Grey Cup festivities by going down to Lansdowne Park on Friday evening. A friend of mine had invited me to watch the TV Ontario live broadcast in which former Ottawa Rough Riders greats, Russ Jackson and Tony Gabriel were interviewed.

Growing up in Montreal, I didn't know too much about the Ottawa teams. For example, I did not know that Ottawa has won 9 Grey Cups! Ottawa does have a rich history and I'm glad that I was able to discover it.

One highlight of the evening was recognizing Dave Dickenson and going over to greet him. (I was a bit surprised that he isn't a very big guy! No more than 5'-11" and about 180. Nonetheless, he's one good-looking guy!)

I also enjoyed chatting with the TSN boys, Chris Schultz and my favourite cutie announcer, Dave Randorf. Side by side, Chris is so tall that he makes Dave Randorf look puny! In any case, my other highlight was that I was able to make personal contact with Dave! (He shook hands with me both upon meeting and at the conclusion of our conversation. What I really wanted to do was to wrap him up and give him a hug!) wink