10 CHRISTMAS THINGS
1 – GOOD TIDINGS FOR ALL: For most everyone we’re facing the strangest Christmas of our lifetime, but not necessarily the most painful. Being locked up at home, or being discouraged from cavorting, is not ideal but I’d suggest we’ve lived with worse through the past 10 months. Find something to be grateful for, shop local, and win the day. You’ll be fine!
2 – WHY I DON’T FEAR FOR THE RIDERS: There are a lot of folks who fear the pandemic will spell the end of the CFL and by extension, the Saskatchewan Roughriders. I don’t share that fear. We all came together to build a state-of-the-art facility that rivals any on the continent. Sport is not going away, there will always be an appetite for pro football in Canada, and a tenant for that palace. On the micro level, the club is in exceptionally good hands with GM Jeremy O’Day and Head Coach Craig Dickenson. The Riders will return, and those two will still be in charge. I have a great deal of faith in that. In fact I often wonder where this franchise would be if O’Day wasn’t passed over for Chris Jones in December of 2015. Jeremy was certainly ready for the big job at that time. However I don’t rue the decision. Chris Jones has a very large sphere in football and I gained dozens of new friends out of that era in Riderville. Everything happens for a reason!
3 – WHY I FEAR FOR THE CFL: Nobody wants to learn from – or even look at – the past but I’d suggest examining CFL history is prudent right now. Former Rider bosses Jim Hopson and Alan Ford have admitted on the RP Show that Western Canada, specifically the Prairies, has subsidized the CFL for the past 30 years. Those telethons were directing funds to markets across the country. That’s all well and good but in this current era, Western Canada has been absolutely gutted. Decimated. Between the devastation in Oil & Gas and the suffocating Carbon Tax, our producers (i.e. top industries) are struggling to make a go of it. Eastern Canada has shown they care little for the CFL, let alone propping it up in its time of need. So there’s that.
4 – EPOCH TIMES: I’m not a Dooms Day’er. I’m saying it the way it is. That’s why the immensely popular Epoch Times came to me for a quote on the CFL’s future. In the same article, they quoted Concordia University Economics professor Moche Lander who had this to say: “It’s probably going to be very unnerving for CFL fans, for CFL owners, for CFL players, because even if they somehow manage to pull off a season this [coming] year, the fact is that it’s very likely going to be with limited fans.” You can read the full article here.
5 – DARIN BURNS: Former CFL’er Darrin Burns is creating waves with his attempt at a high level football comeback at age 57. I’ve seen former CFL’ers say on social media, “Is this guy serious?” I know Darrin and can attest that yes, he is. I met him at the CFL’s 2019 Touchdown Atlantic in Moncton and we got on very well. We spent a great deal of time together. His story is incredibly inspirational and it includes a tough upbringing, a recent bout with depression, and his decision to snap out of it and make history. His goal is to play senior football (it’s huge in New Brunswick) but he may even sign a CFL contract to play in one game. That’s the talk. What’s the harm?
6 – NHL’S RETURN: I’m going along with it! By hook or by crook the NHL is going to find a way to play so with this week’s schedule release, I’ve gotten swept up like all of you. Having dissected it, it’s … odd. Or at least, it’s not something we’re used to. However looking at my Golden Knights’ schedule, their new divisional rivals (Blues, Wild, etc.) align a lot better than the Oilers and Flames. (Although I’m not complaining about the way it was because I got to see the Knights on TV all the time here in the NHL’s Bermuda Triangle). Meanwhile the Flames and Oilers will meet 10 times and they’re calling the Battle of Alberta now the War of Alberta. One thing that strikes me about the Winnipeg Jets schedule is that this franchise is badly in need of a heated rival. Any suggestions?
7 – SPITTIN’ CHICLETS: Speaking of hockey, a funny incident happened this week when my daughter’s boyfriend said the hosts were talking about our show on their latest episode. I asked him to play it back and Ryan Whitney referred to a “podcast out of Saskatchewan, who’s buddies with Colby Armstrong.” Colby’s been on our show multiple times so I thought it was us too. So I thanked them on Twitter, but as it turns out Whitney was referring to our good friends at the Monday Nooner podcast. Hilarious! Some people got bent out of shape over our gaffe, but I’ve chalked it up to an innocent mistake.
8 – TAMPA RAPTORS: How did the Raptors blow that season-opening game to the New Orleans Pelicans (113-99)? They were leading throughout?? Two more incredulous things from Tuesday night are Giannis Antetokounmpo missing a game-tying free throw against the Celtics ($40-million per season doesn’t get you what it used to) and the fact the Raptors actually thought they were in the sweepstakes for the Greek Freak in free agency! The list of big name free agents who’ve chosen the Raptors over the years is a short one.
9 – COME ON’S BEST NFL BET: They’ve only been with us a month but the betting app/company Come On has already become our biggest sponsor on the RP Show. They came to us saying, “We’ve recognized you as a leader in sports coverage in Canada.” That felt nice! Anyway, their featured bet in Week 16 is the Saints to beat the Vikings by 6.5-points in the SuperDome on Christmas Day. Take it! Sign up and claim your welcome bonus at Come On here. While you’re at it, try their online casino because it’s amazing!
10 – RANDOMS TO END: Canada should have little trouble winning the World Junior Hockey Championships in Edmonton, even without Kirby Dach. Tough news for him but a broken wrist isn’t career-threatening. These things happen! Get well soon Kirby and thanks for serving your country! … Don’t let bitter people drag you down. You’ll be much happier if you don’t participate! … Did I mention SHOP LOCAL? … These NFL officiating analysts on the networks crack me up when they throw the current refs under the bus. “Oh, that should’ve been roughing the passer!” So much for the officiating fraternity! Haha. … A record 17 Canadians were on NBA rosters on opening night. Meanwhile the percentage of Canadians in the NHL is going down every year. A cause for concern? I say diversity is strength. … They said it: From reigning CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Willie Jefferson on Twitter – “You know what’s funny to me .. We as CFL players are having to lose money and settle for scraps (thousands) and all I see on my timeline is people signing for millions. I tell ya, you really gotta love this game to play it.” … In a viewer vote on our RP Show bracket for the Edmonton Football Club’s next name, the Empire walloped the Elk in the final. Better yet, perhaps we should ask sponsor BelAir Direct what name they’d prefer since they forced the franchise to drop the name “Eskimos”. Putting the decision in their hands would save everyone a lot of time. … In our year-end Best Of episodes of our best interviews, Don Cherry proved that he’s still got it. He pointed out things about the Stanley Cup Playoffs that none of the current NHL TV analysts were able to see. That’s why Grapes was so popular! Regarding a comeback, Cherry’s people told us off-air that Don’s happy with his podcast which Apple announced was the #1 hockey podcast in North America in 2020. He’s in no rush to make a decision and is happy doing what he’s doing. Sounds familiar!
Merry Christmas,
RP
@rodpedersen
