-
The Religion of Peace Strikes London Again
May 22, 2013 | 6 comments
-
Carney Goes Birther on Major Garrett
May 22, 2013 | 7 comments
-
Ray Manzarek, R.I.P.
May 20, 2013 | 1 comment
-
Thoughts on The Tornado in Moore, Oklahoma
May 20, 2013 | 1 comment
-
Alan O’Day, R.I.P.
May 20, 2013 | 3 comments
The Spectacle Blog
When sports fans think of Canada they are most likely to think of hockey or other winter sports like figure skating, curling and skiing.
But football is every bit as much a Canadian game as it is an American one. Today marks the 100th playing of the Grey Cup. It is named after Albert Grey, the 4th Earl of Grey who was the Governor General of Canada at that time.
Initially played between university teams, the Grey Cup is awarded to the champion of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Today’s match is between the Toronto Argonauts and the Calgary Stampeders. The Argos have won 15 Grey Cups, more than any other CFL team. The Stampeders are two point favorites to win but the game is being played at Rogers Centre in Toronto and that has to work in the Argos favor.
The two biggest differences between the CFL and NFL are is that the football field is longer and wider in the CFL and there are only three downs in the CFL as opposed to four in the NFL. I’m sure football fans who’ve never seen the Canadian game would be thrown off when the announcers say, “Two and out.” But it makes for a faster paced game which emphasizes passing over rushing.
I saw a handful of CFL games when I lived in Ottawa in the 1990s. By that time, the Rough Riders were a joke and by the end of the decade had folded. This was also the period where American teams were included. In 1995, the Grey Cup was won by the Baltimore Stallions. While it may have been good for Baltimore fans who missed the Colts and not yet seen the Ravens, let’s just say it’s one of those moments Canadian football fans would just as soon forget.
Thirteen years before he was elected to Congress, JC Watts played in the 69th Grey Cup between the Ottawa Rough Riders and the Edmonton Eskimos. Watts was the quarterback for the Rough Riders and they were heavy underdogs against the Eskimos who had won three straight Grey Cups. The Eskimos were led by Warren Moon (who would go on to become the only player to be inducted in both the CFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame) and were heavy favorites to repeat. After all, the Rough Riders were 5-11 in 1981 but earned a spot in the Grey Cup after upsetting the Hamilton Tiger Cats in the Eastern Conference Final.
Incredibly, the Rough Riders had a 20-1 lead over the Eskimos at the half. But the Eskimos came back to tie the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Watts through a pass to future CFL Hall of Famer Tony Gabriel who was playing with tear in his left knee. Gabriel caught the pass with one hand but the referee called a penalty. Then Gabriel’s knee gave out and he never played again. The Eskimos got the ball back and kicked a field goal to win the game 26-23. In his book Turnover: The Fumbling of the Ottawa Rough Riders, Brent Dowdall (who was a classmate of mine at Carleton University) wrote:
The 1981 Grey Cup has become the Ottawa Rough Riders’ version of the ground ball through Bill Buckner’s legs. So close, should have been, would have been, but ultimately wasn’t.
Will today’s game be as compelling? With both Gordon Lightfoot and Justin Bieber scheduled to perform at halftime anything could happen. The game begins at 6 p.m. EST.
UPDATE 10:26 p.m.: The Argonauts beat the Stampeders 35-22 to win the 100th Grey Cup. Argos QB Ricky Ray won his third Grey Cup. He won his two previous Grey Cups with the Eskimos in 2003 and 2005. When the Argos acquired Ray from the Eskimos last year, Ray was considered past his prime but tonight he proved his critics wrong.
But the Argos defense that was most critical. The Stampeders scored a single touchdown at the end of the game when they were well out of it.
It is the Argos 16th Grey Cup win in franchise history and first since 2004.
View all comments (8) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/11/25/the-grey-cup-100-or-why-footba
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Crassus| 11.25.12 @ 5:08PM
I thought Gordon Lightfoot was dead.
Occam's Tool| 11.26.12 @ 6:35PM
No. Old, and in poor health, but alive.
Even though I hate Chicago and Lovie Smith, I'm happy for Jay Cutler and Da Bears.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 11.25.12 @ 8:48PM
I thought Earl Gray was a tea merchant.
Mike W| 11.25.12 @ 10:21PM
This web site has become irrelevant since the election. Nobody posts anything worthy of reading. Just this morning I watched the vile little sissy from South Carolina go on about how the Repubs must agree to raise taxes. Nothing here on that.
Sports and entertainment are fine but this country is facing it's final days unless we stand up against the tax raising, amnesty granting politicians.
slaab| 11.25.12 @ 11:13PM
Aaron, your posts on this Sunday night are moronic. I agree wholeheartedly with Mike W. If I want Bread and Circus, I would go to the appropriate website to get more of the same. But frankly, I can read about Hector Camacho and Larry Hagman and all the other RIPs you post on this website somewhere else. Where is the insightful writing? Oh yes, in your post on Canadian football. Really? The country has gone to hell and we need intelligent writing, analysis of how the conservative movement can right itself and how we can win small but important victories (like blocking the nomination of the liar Susan Rice). Blog only when you have something intelligent to add to the conversation. Don't blog just because you heard that some B actor died. Otherwise you are playing into the adolescent President's playbook.
Bob Grant| 11.25.12 @ 11:41PM
Wow,
I had no idea an article about the Grey Cup could bring forth so much anger...and confusion.
I have no problem with Aaron's decision to write about seemingly unimportant topics. After all, people are still reeling from the election because they know the disastrous consequences that will soon occur. What's wrong with a little light reading on a Sunday evening? Do you really want to end your week with an article about Lyndsey Graham's or John McCain's RINOism? Yea, thought so.
Second, there is no Sundown for Gordie Lightfoot just yet. Let's hope he has many more sunrises left in him. He's an excellent musician and, I suppose, a decent individual.
Third, My Favorite Earl Gray tea is the Bigelow Black. It's got the right amount of bergamot for my tastes. And yes, it is also the name of the Canadian Football League Cup. They are not mutually exclusive.
Fourth. I would like to see the NFL adopt the field dimensions of the Canadian Football League...30 yards longer, 12 yards wider. Talk about opening up offenses. Let's see those 350 lb lard asses run 110 yards on a 65 yard wide field.
slaab| 11.26.12 @ 1:52AM
Bob Grant, my comment does not come out of thin air. First, Aaron writes more about nothing than anyone. Second, if I want to read about the NFL and its linemen or Canadian football or odes to bad actors, I would go to sites that deal with the NFL and Canadian football and obituaries. I go to the Spectator's website to get some meaningful issues of the day. What's next, a blog about Madonna's latest outfit? Let' s make a deal: when the MSM actually covers the news, then Spectator can cover the nonsense. Until then, let's have some quality postings for a change!
astorian| 11.26.12 @ 10:39AM
Here's one of my favorite football trivia questions: who is the only quarterback to start in the Rose Bowl, the Super Bowl, and the Grey Cup championship game?
Answer way down below:
Joe Kapp, former Cal Golden Bear, BC Lion and Minnesota Viking.