10 WEEKEND THINGS

RODSERVATIONS

1 – BIDEN TIME: The U.S. presidential election went into quadruple overtime and provided us with endless entertainment but when the smoke cleared, Joe Biden was declared the 46th president of the United States of America on Saturday. More than anything, I just hope this was the best outcome for Canada. I’ve never been pro-Trump as far as politics goes. I just found The Donald endlessly entertaining, admired his love of country and the flag, and the fact he never pretended to be something he’s not. However I’m certain if I knew him, I’d despise him. But again he is what he is, and doesn’t apologize for that. I’m sure he’s highly embarrassed right now but before long will be immensely relieved and will be relaxing in Mar-a-Lago for a good long time. Lucky duck.

As for Biden, I hope he’s the cure for all of America’s problems! All the best.

2 – CFL: One thing at a time. The CFL has already announced the very interesting Grey Cup Unite initiative where they’ll celebrate events virtually during Grey Cup Week and I’m obviously a fan of the idea, particularly since we’ve been running games virtually all season with the CFL SIM. We’re told there’s another announcement from the CFL coming on Monday, and we’ll have Commissioner Randy Ambrosie on the RP Show on Tuesday to discuss. It appears some progress is being made.

3 – CFL 2021: Superstar Andrew Harris of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers told a Winnipeg newspaper this week that he doesn’t have a high expectation for a season in 2021. The reigning Grey Cup MVP and Most Outstanding Canadian was, I’m sure, just blowing off steam and I admire his candor. However I think it’s waayyyyyyy too early to make a guess on that. He admitted to “losing his mind a little bit” with the monotony of not playing, which is coming up on a year. I contend that if the CFL plays in 2021, it’ll be without fans so the league will have to come up with a way to be viable like the other leagues have done. The sense I’ve gotten from players, coaches and staff across the league is that they’re incredibly disappointed that their leaders couldn’t find a way to get it done in 2020. But they’ve got the chance for a make-good in 2021. Time to prove themselves.

4 – FINAL FOUR: We had thousands and thousands of viewers tune in for Saturday’s CFL SIM Division Semifinals on Saturday on Facebook Live and in Round 1 of the playoffs in our Top 6 format, Ottawa downed Toronto 32-16 and Saskatchewan beat up BC 23-7. That means the RedBlacks move on to face #1 Calgary in a Division Final next weekend and the Roughriders move on to visit #2 Edmonton in the other! We’ll be broadcasting the games next Saturday, Nov. 14 in a doubleheader on Facebook Live at 6:00 pm ET. This has been amazing!

5 – CURLING BUBBLE: CBC’s Devin Heroux broke the news on Saturday that the Brier, Scotties and three other major Curling Canada events will likely be played out of a bubble at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary. Great scoop Devin!! By reading the article, curling officials didn’t want any part of confirming the news, but this certainly has the curling world excited. Matt Dunstone of Saskatchewan’s Team Dunstone has repeatedly told us the provincial playdowns are a “go” so everything lines up. The idea of bubbles in 2021 are a big reason why I think the CFL will get going, but without fans. We just aren’t going to be far enough along with Covid next year to open up the stadiums.

6 – SPORTS ON TV: Honestly I didn’t think TV would ever get back to normal, as we’ve experienced nearly nine months of analysts broadcasting from home offices but I’m so thankful I was wrong. I figured the bean-counters in charge of broadcasting would’ve seen how cost-effective it is to not fly in panelists on a weekly basis, and would keep it going forever. Frankly I found it like nails-on-a-chalkboard to have five analysts in a sports version of Hollywood Squares, squabbling all over each other. However for the past few weeks ESPN and NFL Network have had their panelists around a roundtable in studio and it’s looked and sounded fantastic. Thumbs up to whomever made this decision to get back to normal!

The other thing I’ve always loved about these NFL panels is that all these guys are outspoken, opinionated and entertaining. Randy Moss, Rex Ryan, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci and even Kurt Warner! These networks understand what the viewers want.

7 – IN THE BOOTH: An aside, Saints great Jonathan Vilma is the Rookie of the Year on the NFL broadcast circuit. He called last week’s Rider Alumni game in Miami featuring Sam Eguavoen and Derrick Moncrief. Canada’s Rookie of the Year is the RP Show’s Tori Gurley. By a mile.

8 – DUB HUB: It’s fantastic seeing the debate over WHL stars playing in Junior A leagues across Western Canada and the United States. (Medicine Hat Tigers overage and former Regina Pat Bryan Lockner is playing with the Northern Colorado Eagles of the USPHL.) Frankly I still don’t see the point of this but it’s made it very interesting to check the box scores and game recaps at SJHL.ca. Broadcaster/blogger Mike Stackhouse says the Dubsters haven’t stuck out all that much, however I’ve disagreed. At least we’re not talking about Covid or elections, and we can disagree without name-calling and trying to ruin someone’s career!!!!!!! It’s unreal with what’s going on with the cancel culture crowd these days.

9 – IN THE BOOTH 2: I sympathize with announcers who are forced to wear masks while broadcasting games, but understand that’s what it takes to be on the air. From the NFL’s Joe Buck & Troy Aikman to the SJHL’s Rob Mahon & Nick Nielsen, these guys and gals have to muffle their words into a microphone and try to be understood. All for the sake of perception, and setting an example. However there are people going through a heckuva lot worse. It appears that I’ll be doing the same thing in 2021 in some cases so we’ll make the best of it!

10 – RANDOMS TO END: People with current paying jobs writing/criticizing sports people TRYING to play because their careers and livelihoods depend on it, is rich. …. Count me shocked that the Dodgers’ Justin Turner escaped without punishment from MLB for breaking out of the locker room while being Covid-positive and joining his teammates on the field for their World Series picture. I didn’t THINK he should be disciplined, but am still surprised he got off scott-free. However the explanation from Commissioner Rob Manfred makes sense; somebody should’ve been there to stop him. … At The Movies — If you want to check out for two hours and enjoy a movie that’ll tug at your heart, make you tear-up and inspire you, then make tracks to TWO HEARTS starring Adam Canto (Designated Survivor), Jacob Elordi, Tiera Skovbye and Radha Mitchell. I know … you’re saying “Who?” Just go to the movie and thank me later. We enjoyed it Friday night at Landmark Cinema. The popcorn was excellent and the hotdog got one thumb up. Two thumbs up for the movie from The Monday Morning Goalie! … When you don’t spell peoples’ names correctly, they think they’re not that important to you. … Arizona State University finally announced a new 5,000-seat arena on campus in Tempe this week. It’s news because they’d been talking about it for years and a partnership was discussed with the Coyotes for a dual-ice facility like Rogers Place in Edmonton. Didn’t happen, and now the Coyotes are staying in Glendale. … Old news but I see both sides of the Coyotes/Mitchell Miller story. I believe in second chances but I don’t have an issue with him paying for his crimes. It’ll be interesting to see if he works his way back in the game or gives up. … Take a minute today and purchase your Regina Rams 50/50 tickets to help with the program’s biggest fundraiser of the year! You can imagine what a blow they’ve received this season with no Canada West campaign nor a Rider season for the Rams to hawk tickets. You can purchase yours at www.reginarams5050.com. I bought $250 worth and challenge all Rams broadcasters to do match it!

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen