Players.
CFL players are out there day in and day out in our schools, hospitals, malls, places of work, and pretty much everywhere else. We have it pretty good in the CFL, as fans, when it comes to our players. Engaging, entertaining, and always willing to spare a second: our players are second to none.
A a friend to mine went to the Super Bowl last year and waited in a ridiculously long line to take a photo with the Lombardi Trophy – and there are many of those; it’s not a single treasure. After a long wait my son’s friend and he had their chance at Facebook glory. Well. The trophy was roped off with a ten-metre perimeter and was heavily guarded.
Now the Grey Cup, That’s a different story. It travels annually in November across this great land of ours aboard the Grey Cup train. The long standing tradition includes hands-on photo ops with any fan who cares to touch it.
During Grey Cup week you can be sure outgoing attendees will meet more than two dozen former and current players, coaches, and management.
Through the off-season, at the more intimate appearances, when you are privileged enough to be visiting the Cup privately during a champion’s reign, you’re even allowed to hoist and drink from the iconic chalice.
That’s all about reaching out to the fans, letting them know that they matter. That’s what our players do well, and people reciprocate. That’s where we connect.
There are countless stories of both fans helping players and players helping fans in all of our communities. One remarkable incident is from 2013, when a fan drove Kory Sheets 300 kilometres to help him out of a jam.
And then Sheets reciprocated with repeated visits to the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre. Just another of thousands of Americans and Canadians who have paid it forward for over a century to improve the quality of life in the communities and outlying communities where they play.
Fans.
The CFL fan is a unique breed. They come together willing to blow their disposable incomes, humiliate themselves with silly costumes, exert vast amounts of energy, consume copious amounts of watered-down potables and funky-food fare, and completely sell out: screaming at the opposition and occasionally the officials. (More than occasionally this year.)
There is more output and coverage than ever before and fans are for the most part eating it up. With podcasts and blog talk radio shows, Facebook groups, Twitter, and extended coverage from TSN and local CFL radio rights holders, the CFL is attracting new eyes all the time.
It’s not all rosy. More people watching the games need to search for CFL related media in their social networks. With numbers for game viewership at an all-time high, we should be seeing better numbers in the Facebook groups and Twitter followers.
But then, I know a Calgary fan who lives in Regina and drives the 800 kilometres for each Stampeders home game. His season tickets are around $500, and then there’s gas and miscellaneous expenses back and forth in his truck twice a month. He grins through it all, this year, with Calgary at 14-3.
If you’ve ever been to any part of our Grey Cup festival you have felt the love and respect there, not only among fans of your team, but fans of all teams, mingling and enjoying each other’s company.
At 102 years old it’s a hand-me-down league, wherein you see parents instilling a love for the game in their kids and grandkids. Fans from all walks of life love this game and make it shine like the bright star it is.
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