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CFL Talk
1

So I attended the first preseason game in Calgary yesterday. Great time as always ... however i really dislike how this city (and most CFL cities in general) is really lacking the whole football fan pregame thing... SOMEHOW I've been on a 'McMahon tailgate parking spot list' for 4 goshdarn seasons and i'm still at #251, yet there is only a few dozen people tailgating every week. That entire parking lot should be packed with BBQs, beers, music, and friends for hours before every game! Instead, we are regulated to parking at some UofC parking lot a few blocks away, and tailgate amongst ourselves. its ridiculous.

When i've tailgated in both Minnesota for Vikings games, and attended an Aggies game at College Station. Its pretty much indescribable how enormous the pregame is .. it goes on and on for entire blocks of parking lot .. For whatever reason .. it really s^cks that the Canadian fans lack this style of over-the-top pregame enthusiasm.

why is tailgating kept so small?

StatiK76
GO BOMBERS!!!

2

they knew u were comming so they went elsewhere.

3

I was at a tailgate party for a CFL game in Sacremento that had thousands of people. The parking lot was packed, literally hundreds of bbqs, row after row. They had a stage setup with rock bands, ect. Not sure if it was a special promotion, but I guess tailgating is more of an American thing...drinking and getting rowdy in public! We had so many beers tossed our way, we were smashed by gametime!

In the Renegades final season the Ottawa city council threatened to pass out pamphlets to fans entering the parking lots, warning them they could be arrested if they tailgated. Not sure if they followed through with it, but the message was sent. Canadians believe in law and order and don't seem to mind an oppressive police presence, just to make sure you don't break the law! :cowboy:

4

Tailgating is an American tradition. There are thousands for hockey tailgates in some cities. You can't expect Canadians to do it just because Americans do.

5

because Americans do? What the hell are you talking about? Wow ...

How about - ITS FUN?

(and no .. you are not understanding the scale of tailgating i am talking about .. hockey fans have nothing even close)

StatiK76
GO BOMBERS!!!

6

When we go to Rider games, we usually find a restaurant to go eat before or after the game, depending on when the start time is on game day. We do enough drinking pre-game and during the game anyway- I really dont see the need for tailgaiting, there are plenty of other things to do before and after the game.

7

Sambo .. Its not so much just a drinking thing, as much as I think it is a rallying behind the team thing and getting together with other fans - celebrating football and friends! Its fanaticism extreme .. just incredible enthusiasm that seems missing .. and the lack of tailgating is just a sign of that maybe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqgWWVo1PmY

crazy enthusiasm for football ... just amazing.

StatiK76
GO BOMBERS!!!

8

I do not I thought over the past years they have had lots of tailgate parties in the parking lot just maybe you are not cool enough to participate. If you are measuring last night for parties well it is preseason. Have fun by yourself.

9

...I wasn't at the game last night Statik so I can't agree or disagree with the level of TGing going on but my initial thoughts for an explanation for you is twofold....first, potential crappy weather might have detered the odd TGer from setting up camp...second, preseason game, which eqautes to less crowds overall.....

....I've always thought the amount of TGing around McMahon is great...sure its not NFL calibre, but down in the US the whole sport is treated differently...here its a game, there it a religion.....

...and be happy we are allowed to TG here...other spots in the CFL are not so lucky....

10

The crowd was 25,880

11

...hmmm, thats not a bad number, but it that ticket sales or gate clicks?....Global 7 Sports last night said the crowd 'looked' to be about 18,000 or so...

12

Tailgating is just about the ONLY reason to be Raider season ticket holder these days.

I absolutely love them. Hang out and be social, meet new people, toss the pigskin around a little, drink a few brewskies, eat some grilled meat.

This is just darn fun and social. It fosters fan camaraderie and is a GOOD thing for the team and the community.

As long as there is no booze after the third quarter or so, it should be just fine. You still have a responsibility to obey the law but that shouldn't deny others the right to party.

It is generally true that Canadians tend to take it up the butt from the cops a bit too much IMHO. If the community DEMANDS it, community leaders and the police MUST respect that.

Don't get me started on asinine harrasment from boneheaded cops when I was growing up in Canada (and even when I was an adult) - I could tell you some pretty sad tales.

13

When I bought my tickets for the Argos home opener, they told me there was a big "street party" before the game. I've never been to one, so I don't know what to expect.

14

NFL fans do their thing, CFL fans do their own. So? I admit I'd love to have a huge party before each game. I wish we did it, not because the Americans do it, but because it's fun. But there's no way I'm going to be able to convince 5,000-10,000 people to party before each and every game. Not to mention, more families go to CFL games than NFL games ... it makes a difference.

First Grey Cup I went to (Calgary 2000) seemed to have a pretty awesome party going on outside. I'm sure it's the same for most Grey Cups ...

15

StatiK76, some people don't get excited about 'partying'
with friends and other fans in parking lots before games.

Those that want to party, party,
those that don't want to, don't.

Live and let live.

Tailgating doesn't have any effect on the team, anyways.

The player's aren't in attendance to see or hear it.

Teams hearing their fan's enthusiasm
at games is what is important.

When fans cheer loudly for their play,
it gives the players a big lift.

Teams also benefit from enthusiastic fan support
at team functions and pep rallies.

16

You constantly feel the need to compare the CFL & nfl and their fans. You may not know this but study’s have been done down here and and they suggest that the majority of football fans DRINK TOO MUCH…and that includes away from the football stadium.

You see Statik76 Drinking IS considered a past time here in the states! Sad as that is, but you are confusing the need for alcohol with the want of tailgate parties. All they want is too drink!! If it wasn’t a tailgate party it would be something else.

Lets take where I live as an example…Ohio. Nice clean God fearing state no? 85% of the population goes to church on Sunday and yet…It’s one of the top five u.s. states for alcoholism! Coincidence? I think not! We have Browns and Bengals fans drinking and of course college drinking at good ol’ O.S.U.

Yes tailgating is an american thing but in some cases, nothing to be proud of.

17

That was gate clicks

18

Hmmm I am listening! There is no problem with partying as long as you do not distrub others or urinate in public. The problem is the game of football is not just for adults but for families right. And then what about being resposnible and driving later? I suppose you might change your mind after a drunk from the game crashes into you. There are reasons back the blue ( not the blue bombers). You can have a good time with friends with out getting boozed out. Moderation is fine and concealed no problem. But out right stublling miss half the game drunk well I watched a rider fan (not all rider fans are like this) passout in his seat by half time. Now I want to tell you the best visiting fans I have seen are rider fans. But what is the point to getting so dam drunk you miss half the game. I mean this guy was out and urinated in his pants. Is this glory? No! Have fun party but booze does not necessarily need to bring this out on a fan. The sport should be the entertainment.

19

Here is a prime example:

CFL fan beaten for beer cup

By JULIE HORBAL, SUN MEDIA

And you thought the Bombers had a lousy night.

One man suffered a broken jaw while his friend was punched in the face in a melee that occurred during the Bombers-Tigercats CFL exhibition game at Canad Inns Stadium on Thursday night.

David Ward, 24, said he and his friend Chris Adams, 22, were collecting empty souvenir beer cups in the west side concourse just before half-time of the Bombers loss when a "visibly drunk" man laid claim to a cup Adams had picked up.

Ward said they tried to return the cup but the intoxicated man and another male -- identified as his brother -- attacked the younger men.

After Ward was struck in the face, the two men allegedly dragged Adams to a corner and started kicking him in the face. Ward said he tried to help but was punched in the eye and could only watch until security -- at first only a lone female officer -- came to break up the nearly 10-minute fracas.

"By the time security broke it up and we got on our way to the hospital, Chris was spitting five cups of blood," said Ward. "It was unreal, the amount of blood I had on me."

'CAN BARELY MOVE'

Adams' jaw was broken in two places. Ward said his friend, who just interviewed for a new job a few days ago, expects to have surgery this morning and his jaw will be wired shut for four to six weeks.

"Now he's just in pain. He can barely move. He can't even talk, his mouth is all swollen," he said. "He needs reconstructive surgery because his jaw is snapped and pushed in, they kicked him so much."

A call to Impact Security, which handles security during Bombers games, was not returned, but a club official confirmed there was an "incident in which a fan was hurt." The official refused to say anything more because a police investigation is ongoing.

Const. Jacqueline Chaput, a spokeswoman for Winnipeg police, said two men ages 33 and 42 were arrested at the game.

One is facing two counts of assault causing bodily harm while the other faces charges of assault and assault causing bodily harm.

Although security and police finally defused the situation, Ward said there should have been more security for such a busy -- and notoriously rowdy -- event.

"There was so much blood and no one was helping. When security came, the guys got away and I think that's insufficient security. There weren't enough for a game that size," he said.

"The younger guys are stereotyped for rowdiness and drinking and everything, but we were the ones who tried to calm it down. It was just a plastic cup and now my friend is having surgery."

20

Yet another example:

The Vancouver City Police Department and the Canadian Football League are conducting separate investigations following a highly-unusual incident in which an official was allegedly struck by a patron during Friday night's pre-season game between the B.C. Lions and Saskatchewan Roughriders at B.C. Place.

During the third quarter of the game, which Saskatchewan won 24-15, a male patron entered the field near the Roughriders' bench and made contact from behind with side judge Steve Dolyniuk, touching off a wild melee.

Jim Daley, the CFL's Senior Advisor of Officiating and Football Operations, was at the game and was asked to give a statement to the Vancouver police.

"Because of the police investigation I cannot comment on the specifics at this time," Daley said in an e-mail to Sportsnet.ca.

Daley said he has also filed a report with the CFL office.

Regina Leader-Post football reporter Darrell Davis told Sportsnet.ca that the patron came onto the field and "barrel-rolled" into Dolyniuk.

Davis said several members of the Roughriders team pounced on the patron, including defensive lineman Luc Mullinder, who grabbed and put the patron in a clothesline grip. Roughriders director of player personnel Joe Womack, who is also the team's strength and conditioning coach, and defensive line coach Ron Estay became involved and pinned the patron to the ground.

"He helped Womack a little bit but the (patron) wasn't struggling," Davis said. "He was just kind of laying down."

A timekeeper also assisted in the process until security arrived and escorted the patron away. It is not believed Dolyniuk suffered any injury.

Dolyniuk, now in his seventh year of officiating, deferred comment to CFL Director of Officiating George Black, who said he cannot remember when, if ever, there's been an incident in the CFL when a fan came out of the stands and made contact with an official. Black officiated for 22 years.

The CFL indicated in a statement to Sportsnet.ca that the matter is considered extremely serious.

"The CFL places the utmost importance on the safety and welfare of our officials," CFL Chief Operating Officer Michael Copeland said. "We are extremely disappointed that this incident has taken place and will provide our full support to the efforts of the local authorities as they pursue legal recourse against the offender involved."

B.C. Place security officials were unavailable.

There is a possibility that charges could be pending, although Vancouver City Police were unavailable for comment.

Davis said any time a fan enters the field of play during a Roughriders game without the permission of the team criminal trespassing charges are laid.