Much has been made this weekend of the importance of the Labour Day Classics, the rivalries, the distances traveled by the fans and the large crowds that attend the match ups. This got me to thinking (which in itself is pretty amazing you know), if we had to rate the big events of a CFL season, how would we go about ranking those games that mean more than the normal regular season games.
So in order to generate some hate mail, here go my picks for the Highest Holy Days of the CFL calendar. From the home office in North Battleford, Saskatchewan; the Six Days of Celebration!
Number Six-Semi Finals Sunday, it’s the showcase of the second best. It’s that last gasp bid for the number three seed to climb to higher and lofty heights. Of vast importance to the four cities involved, it’s but a curiosity to the rest of the nation. Still gets our attention, but its not the thing of riveting drama, in a league of eight and occasionally nine teams, teams three through six don’t quite get the heart pumping yet. Now an upset heading for the Grey Cup that might be something to keep an eye on.
Number Five-The Season openers, like the league itself the opening week of the CFL season is a little understated. It’s slowly becoming more of a big deal, but for now the week one matches seem to serve as more of a way to ease the football fan into the New Year.
Number Four-Thanksgiving Weekend, not quite as revered as the NFL adoption of Turkey Day as a Football festival, we still celebrate our game and give our thanks on the Thanksgiving weekend. With the sesaon almost at an end, playoff positions potentially are at stake. The games are highly anticipated for the ability to either launch a team towards the post season or send them off to the movers looking for quotes.
Number Three-The East -West finals, they serve as the final invitations to the Big Dance one week later. Anxious times for the host team and their guests as an entire season of work could come unglued with one bad play, one missed assignment. It provides bragging rights for their division, but not quite the same as making it to the Championship game.
Number Two- The Labour Day Classics, we close out the summer and signal that the fall football season is about to begin. The ancient rivalries are played out as fans travel for hours and miles to be a part of the drama. Win and you’re a hero for the year, lose and it’s a very long ride back home. The weekend serves as the yardstick for a franchise, if you're in a tailspin by Labour Day you have work to do, gives you a good idea as to whether you need to call in the Airlift, or if there is a reason to. The games pack the stadiums, heat up the teams and normally provide some wild football.
Number One- Grey Cup Sunday- Really no contest here, it’s the Grand National Tradition. A Super Bowl as though organized by Socialists. In the CFL’s Championship week and weekend, everyone is involved. Unlike the NFL’s ode to corporate achievement and excess, Grey Cup Weekend is a pure people’s party. It’s Fan Friendly, refreshing (sometimes too refreshing) and celebratory of all that is good in Canadian Football. Loaded full with tradition, the week of activities keep football fans hopping from venue to venue. Local organizing committees work hard through the year to pull off the Awards show, the parade, the hospitality nights and of course the Big Game itself. Year after year, even fans who couldn’t tell you the difference between a shovel pass and an end run, will sit down and watch the national championship.
While hockey is said to be our passion, Grey Cup Sunday is our obsession. And still the best damn excuse you'll ever have to put on a hell of a house party!
So there you have it, feel free to offer up your own interpretations in the comments section below.
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