Conspiracy theorists are not-so-quietly saying<\/a> that the league arranged to have one of its marquee players sent to the Argos in order to shore up the money-losing, attendance-challenged franchise ahead of it hosting the 100th Grey Cup. They also say it’s payback to Braley for agreeing to buy the team in Canada’s largest market when no one else would.<\/p>\nIt’s all a bit rinky-dink \u2013 almost like professional wrestling \u2013 yet the games still have a big-league feel to them, and the football is always exciting.<\/p>\n
The contrast adds to the CFL’s appeal.<\/p>\n
I ask again: what could be more Canadian?<\/p>\n
I’ve never seen a game out West, where the CFL is a very big deal, but I have seen one at old, decrepit Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton \u2013 a Labour Day classic a few years back between the Argos and the Tiger-Cats \u2013 and the atmosphere was electric. There were skydivers, fly-bys by Canadian Forces jets and raucous cheering in the stands. The Ticats are the only big-league game in a lunch-bucket, working class burgh, and they take their football mighty seriously in Steeltown.<\/p>\n
The CFL is also affordable family entertainment. Buying tickets doesn’t require selling a kidney, which means my son and I can go to a couple of games a season without breaking a middle-class family budget.<\/p>\n
I’ve been to three or four games over the past two years with my younger son, and we’ve bonded over the power of running back Cory Boyd and his redemptive story, and we’ve marvelled at the flashy quickness and toughness of Owens \u2013 a.k.a. the Flyin’ Hawaiian\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/em>the kind of speedy little guy who wouldn’t get a second look these days from an NFL team.<\/p>\nIt all adds up to a fun sports experience.<\/p>\n
(The Grey Cup is in Toronto this year, but as best as I can tell, the cheapest ticket is $150 a pop. I know that pales in comparison to the Super Bowl, but it’s starting to range into deep-pocket territory, so we may have to take a pass.)<\/p>\n
The cry of “Arrrrrrgoooooooosssss!” was once a beloved chant in the local Toronto sports scene, before the NFL became so big-league that it eclipsed our own home-grown version of gridiron football.<\/p>\n
Here’s hoping that our poor, beleaguered Argos can make a comeback this year, and maybe even be the hometown faves in this year’s big game.