It’s perhaps the most nationalistic day this country ever celebrates; perhaps dare we say it even more so than Canada Day. What other day will find millions of Canadians gathered in bars, rec rooms, living rooms and this year in a stadium in Winnipeg all ready to celebrate a game with such a colourful history.
It’s Grey Cup Sunday, one of the best days on the calendar. The most unifying factor in the country and there’s not a government grant in sight. It’s pure grass roots Canadianna, from Newfoundland to British Columbia, from the largest of cities to the smallest of towns, Grey Cup Sunday is perhaps the symbol of all that is great about this country.
From the roar of the CF 18’s before the anthem, to player introductions and the half time show through to the sight of the Red Serge wearing Mounties carrying Lord Grey’s Holy Grail of Canadian football, the day is steeped in memories of the past and anticipation of yet another exciting chapter to be written.
Over the years the Grey Cup has lived up to its billing as perhaps the most exciting of championship matches, the uniqueness of the rules, the whims of Mother Nature all combine in some years to provide some wild finishes, leaving the viewer gasping at the end of sixty minutes or more.
By far, the Grey Cup is the people’s championship, nowhere near as corporate as the Super Bowl, nor as pretentious as the World Series or NBA championships. With Canadian teams an infrequent participant in the Stanley Cup, Canadians can only watch that championship from far away with a wistful feeling of times that once were.
Not so with the Grey Cup, we become not only participants but business partners in late November. This game is not owned by the league, nor the teams owners, it’s in the custody of the fan, those that follow their teams with devotion from training camp and the Johnny come latelies that arrive in time for the semi final and divisional finals.
From the fan friendly events of Grey Cup week, to the hospitality rooms hosted by any number of diverse groups all brought together to celebrate a uniquely Canadian institution. Parades, award shows and parties they all serve as the background to the celebration.
Talk of future expansion or past franchise woes is left for other times; Grey Cup Sunday is about the survival of the fittest, the two teams that had the best plan, the best execution and the best determination.
Sunday is all about the football. The pre game show takes up to three hours to set the scene, but as soon as that ball gets kicked off it’s always about the game. The fans in the stands are there for the football, not the business deals, while the fans at home sit back and wish they could join those in the stadium.
The two teams this year were probably the ones expected to be here this final game of the year. The Lions by far the dominant team of the CFL this year, the Alouettes a favourite who stumbled at mid season and have recovered to come back for yet another shot at the title.
For the players today is what all the training camps and regular season games were all about, eight teams set out for the chance, but only two get to go to the dance. Today is their day, the winners take the much desired prize, the losers the unwanted hurt. The fans keep the memories.
Tee the ball up and let’s play some football. It’s Grey Cup Sunday, may it never change!
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