Well, it is here -- Grey Cup Sunday. Or as I refer to it, just another Sunday. In truth, I like and respect the CFL and think the Grey Cup is special - as anyone who has seen the guys running across the field with shovels during stoppages in play can attest. I think there is a misconception that the CFL is made up of players who could not make the NFL and while this is true in some cases, there are enough cases of players going back and forth to dispel this somewhat. Clearly, the players prefer the NFL paychecks but the CFL has had some notable players in it. Of the top of my head I can think of Doug Flutie, Warren Moon, 'Rocket' Ishmael and hell - we even had celebrated pothead Ricky Williams for a while. In fact, I was just watching a game on Thursday that had a running back with the last name Keith who was a CFL player - I think it was Green Bay, but I am guessing.
I'm afraid I'm a NFL guy at heart. I've been cheering for the Bills for so long I no longer think of them as American. Well, I guess I realize they are - but they are still the 'home team.' I guess in a way the CFL has a case of 'little brother' syndrome that is so prevalent in Canada. For example, the rest of Canada is well known for their hatred of Toronto. The make no secret about it. I know that they just assume that Toronto hates them to but as someone that has lived there I can tell you that it is not the case. You cannot hate something that you don't think about. This may also be true of Canada as a whole towards the US. Maybe in this case hatred is a strong word but their is an underlying jealousy or resentment that one might find in a little bother. Of course, Canada has a lot to be proud of - our beer, our soldiers, our international reputation - I of course could go on. The same is true of the CFL - it takes a special kind of person to play outdoors in Canada in November, but of course the same could be said of my beloved Bills.
Anyway, I will certainly be watching part of the game. I would be more interested if the Argos were playing for the simple reasons of geography they have become my team. In fact, I always wonder how a guy in SW Ontario can say, oh my team 'New Orleans' or the 'Yankees.' For me, team alliances have always either been inherited or chosen by whatever city is closest. It makes no sense that you get to somehow pick a team at random or choose a different team when yours start to suck. I mean - what the hell.
Anyway, I'll be cheering for Winnipeg today, while I guess they are slightly closer the real reason is the underlying Cinderella story. Their QB, Ryan Dinwiddie will be making his first start ever in the Gray Cup after their regular QB broke his arm in last week's playoff game. Man - what a story that would be!
Well, my NFL pre-game shows are about to start so that is all for today. If you are into this sort of thing - enjoy some football, whatever league you choose. I hope you like the new look of Canucklehead.ca - I have not have any feedback yet and am therefore assuming that no news is good news. I'm not 100% sold - it may change again but it will stay this way for a bit. In closing, have some fun today, but not to much - it's a 'school night.' Cheers!