As usual, the 105th edition of the Grey Cup lived up to its theatrical tradition and all the hype that goes with it, which meant that the game would not only be close and exciting but full of unexpected twists and turns.And sadly for the second consecutive year the heavily-favoured Calgary Stampeders, who have totally dominated the CFL for the last two seasons, were the victims of those unfortunate bounces and poor coaching decisions.
The Stamps were sent back home with their tails between their legs after suffering a 27-24 last-minute meltdown loss to the Toronto Argonauts, shooting themselves in the foot by gambling late in the game and coming up "snake eyes".
I'm not sure what's worse for a Grey Cup game at this time of year; the freezing cold weather we would get in the West or the snowy, slippery conditions that were prevalent in the East.Either way, the conditions were the same for both teams, so it was simply a matter of the Stamps making too many huge costly errors at the most inopportune time, and now they must once again live with that unbearable heart-breaking feeling for the rest of the off season. They can talk the walk but have trouble walking the talk.
I truly wonder what world CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie is living in because it's certainly not the one you and I live in. From the look of the snow on his head during the pre-game ceremonies, maybe he just woke up from the last Ice Age.
His denial on national TV that there is no definite connection between football and head concussions resulting in brain damage (CTE) is absolutely unthinkable, if not ludicrous in this day and age. I'm sure he's just regurgitating company policy due to the fact the league is currently fighting a $200 million class action lawsuit brought on by former players but in reality, science has clearly spoken so there is no need to talk like Trump.
The NFL has already been slapped hard by the federal courts in the USA and have had to set aside over $1 billion (yes, I did say billion) to be paid out to hundreds of former players who have suffered different degrees of brain damage, some who can't even remember their own names. And yet we still have our moronic CFL Commish standing up in front of TV cameras, with a straight face, denying any link between the game and the resulting head injuries sustained by the numerous thunderous hits levelled during each game. Then again, he was an offensive lineman for nine years... hmm!
Who says there's no justice in this world? It may have taken a few years (the wheels of justice do move slowly) but one of South Africa's most famous athletes, double amputee Olympic track star Oscar Pistorius, had his sentence more than doubled by the country's Supreme Court of Appeal.Pistorius was found guilty of pumping four bullets into his girlfriend, who he said he thought was a late night intruder, but he was only sentenced to six years behind bars by a wimpy judge.
He will now spend over 13 years in the slammer, where he certainly belongs, although good behaviour could see him breathe fresh air by 2023, which is not fair, but that's another story.At least some justice has now been served and she and her family can finally rest in peace.
The IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) has finally shown some "kahunas" in their decision to continue the ban imposed on the Russian track and field association from competing in the upcoming World Indoor Championships in March because of their state-sponsored doping scandal that was exposed to the rest of the world. The Russian government continues to deny any wrong doing and say it was only a few rogue athletes that cheated.
Of course Vladimir Putin didn't know anything about this, just like he never knew anything about Russia's meddling in the last US presidential election, and this coming from a former top KGB agent who leaves absolutely nothing to chance.
It'll be interesting to see if the Russians are allowed to compete in the next Summer Olympic Games scheduled to take place in 2020. WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) has told the IOC that the Soviets still haven't met the conditions previously set out in the suspension in order to be reinstated.
Trivia time: What city is hosting the 2020 Games?
Can you believe the Winnipeg Jets (15-6-3), after a slow start to the season, have quietly started to climb up the ladder and now have the third best record in all of hockey, sitting in second place in the tough Western Division?
Trivia answer: Tokyo, Japan will host the 2020 SOG.
Until next time....
