10 THINGS I THINK I THINK

2 – THE GAME: With 2 weeks of hubbub and hype leading up to Super Bowl LIII, I thought to myself ‘this is an incredible amount of build-up for just one football game‘. And in the end, the game did not live up to the hype as it was the lowest-scoring game in Super Bowl history. Now, most everyone – particularly those who only watch one football game per year – feel cheated. However if that game was played in October, nobody would bat an eye. These kinds of games happen all the time. Let’s remember: It may be the Super Bowl, but in the end it’s still just another football game.

 3 – TITLE GAMES: And let’s not sit here in Canada and finger wag at the NFL. Must we go back to November 25, 2018 and Commonwealth Stadium? The Calgary Stampeders *slipped* past the Ottawa RedBlacks 27-16 in the 106th Grey Cup, in a game that was over by halftime. The CFL’s showcase game was marred by a treacherously icy track, and Terry Williams’ record-setting punt return TD just prior to the break sealed the deal. At least Super Bowl LIII came down to the final minute!

4 – TB12: Hopefully young football players are learning a lot from Tom Brady, and his commitment. If you follow his diet and training regimen, it doesn’t seem like a whole lot of fun AT ALL. But the fun comes in the winning. As Hockey Hall of Famer Paul Coffey is fond of saying, “If you want to have fun, go on vacation to Mexico. Sports is about work. The fun comes afterwards when you win”. It was interesting that Brady got to the stadium 3 hours prior to kickoff on Sunday. I thought it would be more, but I’ve also found that anymore than 2 hours prior to kickoff generally leads to twiddling your thumbs.


5 – TO THE MAX: Canadiens star Max Domi questioned out loud on Twitter whether anyone’s ever been inducted to the Hall of Fame while they were still playing? He was referring to Tom Brady of course. If it counts, the CFL’s G.O.A.T., Wally Buono, was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2014 while still active as Head Coach/GM of the BC Lions. Will we see Wally at all in 2019 as he settles into retirement?

6 – PAGING THE COMMISH: A patron at our Sober Bowl Party asked a question I could not answer. “Why is CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie gallavanting all over the globe doing partnerships with other countries when his time would be better spent hammering out a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the players?” It’s a great question. And one I couldn’t begin to answer.

7 – S-JAY: Another one from Sober Bowl: “Has the SJHL ever been in better shape than it is right now?” Not really. They’ve got a new TV deal, the 50-Year history book has raised six figures for SJHL teams, and more players than ever before are looking at the SJHL as an option. The sad part is it took a tragedy to bring everyone together, and make it stronger than ever before. Similar to 9/11.

8 – WHAT A WASTE: Felt sorry for all the people from around here who went to the PGA’s Waste Management Open in Phoenix and experienced crappy weather. Sunday’s final round looked like it was drenched. You don’t expect that when you go to the Valley of the Sun.

9 – GOD BLESS AMERICA: The Regina Pats kickoff a Central Division swing Tuesday night in Lethbridge. The worst news for them is they won’t have Teagan Littlechief singing the national anthem, like they sometimes do at home. The Pats (and usually the Riders) generally win when Teagan sings Oh Canada. That caused Mike Lee – an oilman from Midale, SK – to quip, “Sounds like Teagan’s the Kate Smith of the WHL”. She is, but I don’t think she took that as a compliment when I put it on Twitter. Look up Kate and the Philadelphia Flyers!

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: Happy Birthday today to Don Cherry, who’s 85.  … Whatever happened to Vince Vaughn? … It’s safe to go back to the gym now. The New Years resolution’ers have given up. … Two huge thumbs up from the MMG for the movie Green Book starring Viggo Mortenson and Mahershala Ali. I know, who? Just go to Rainbow Cinemas and thank me later. … Saw a first there on Saturday night. A lady brought a bag of already-popped microwave popcorn from home and dumped it into a bag in the theatre. That shouldn’t be allowed! … Today it’s off to Mexico. If you’re in Puerta Vallarta this week, we’ll see you at the annual Rider Party on Wednesday at El Oasis Del Holi. It’s straight down the northside of the Isla Mall to the ocean. Can’t wait!

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen