Within the span of a few days, the Calgary Stampeders have been investigated and brought to the justice.
The Tuesday news release reads like this:
"The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced today that it has fined members of the Calgary Stampeders for confronting and verbally abusing on-field game officials after they had left the field following their Friday, October 3 game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Stampeders defensive line coach Cornell Brown was fined $2,500.
Stampeder players Brandon Browner and Dwight Anderson were also fined undisclosed amounts for their involvement in the confrontation.
"We hold our teams, and in particular our coaches, to a high standard, especially when it comes to respect for our officials who are so integral to our game," said CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon."
This was all fueled by a confrontation under the stands at the conclusion of the Riders' 37-34 victory over the Stampeders Friday night at Mosaic Stadium. Apparently this whole hub-bub was started by a note on my blog where I reported the witness reports of two long-time security personnel who work at Rider games at the Visitors locker room.
Truthfully, I was hoping for some suspensions and perhaps further the Riders' cause in Monday's return game in Calgary.
A homer broadcaster?
You bet. I used to be concerned about that label, but not
anymore. Not after I've had two other CFL teams offer me
a job to perform a similar role with their club. They say they wish they had someone helping them out like I do for the Riders.
Apparently it's working.
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Not that the Riders need any help, mind you.
Have you ever been more proud of them than you are right now? I always pick the Riders in our weekly CKRM CFL pool but I had a nagging feeling that they didn't stand a chance
against Calgary last week. After all, the Stamps were 9-4
and the hottest team in the league having won four in a
row. Saskatchewan was fielding a Regina high school
alumni all-star team including Neal Hughes, Chris Getzlaf and Stu Foord on offense.
Who could've predicted Hughes and Getzlaf would account for three Rider touchdowns in that upset win over Calgary?
One guy did. And he has spikey red hair and a fiery temper.
As I got up from the visitor's chair in Rider GM Eric Tillman's office after taping our pregame interview, he winked at me and said, "you know we're gonna win tonight doncha?"
That's when my faith was reaffirmed.
Hey E.T., what's going to happen in Calgary on Monday??
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One media type asked me on the weekend, "how are the Riders 9-5?"
It's a head-scratcher, given the fact they've had all these injuries but in my opinion in boils down to two things; 1) game-planning by the coaches regarding how to use their personnel best and 2) a positive attitude, will to win, and the desire to play harder than your opponent each game.
#2 ultimately goes back to #1 and that's why Ken Miller should would 2008 CFL Coach of the Year.
And when he does, he'll tell everyone it's because he has the best staff in the CFL.
Hey whatever it takes, the Green and White is getting it done.
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Gord in Victoria wants an injury update as part of this blog.
Well Gord, if you don't know by now, the Riders have lost starting centre Jeremy O'Day for the balance of the regular season and perhaps beyond with a torn ACL. We won't know the rest of story until the team resumes practice on Wednesday after four days off.
To hear how Tillman feels about the job Gene Makowsky's done filling in for O'Day, tune into CKRM's Inside Story program Wednesday morning at 7:45am.
Cheers,
Rod P
