WEDNESDAY SHOW RECAP: DEFENDING THE CFL!

The CFL was international news on Wednesday so the guys went deep on Episode #223 of The Rod Pedersen Show! Here are the highlights:

• Rod and Dupes opened the show with The Rollout for Flooring Superstore covering these Quick Six show topics: 1) The CFL seeking up to $150-million in Federal COVID-19 relief, 2) Argos LB Nakas Onyeka Tweeting, “Why do Canadians hate the CFL?”, 3) The Athletic’s Bob McGinn reporting the Packers have “had enough” of Aaron Rodgers’ act, 4) What’s your Mount Rushmore of fast food? (Rod’s are McDonalds, KFC, Dairy Queen and Pizza Hut), 5) CFL Draft talk and did the CFL steal its own thunder with the Federal funding request? and 6) Do you see fall sports happening? (Canada West, WHL, SJHL, etc).
• On the CFL applying for Federal aid story, Rod said he’s in favour of it given his history with the CFL and what the league means to Canada. He pointed out that as an independent contractor, he’s not eligible for Federal aid however that doesn’t mean he’s miffed at the CFL for getting in line if they meet the criteria. All of the show personalities – Dupes, Producer Clark, etc. – are in favour of the CFL getting Federal aid.
• Regarding “hate” for the CFL, Rod said he generally ignores it and said the league has nothing to prove. He called out Torontonians who say the Argos are a non-factor in Toronto, and under-the-radar. “TSN airs 12 hours per week of live CFL coverage!” Rod shouted. “So don’t say you don’t know about it!”
• Leader Post columnist Rob Vanstone joined the show from his Regina home and said obviously he’s in favour of the CFL getting assistance given the Riders’ importance to sports media. Regarding CFL “hate”, R.V. suggested it’s more “apathy”. The guys also discussed the prospect of no CFL football in 2020, and what it would mean to the Regina Grey Cup.
• TSN’s Jay Onrait of Jay & Dan joined the show from his Toronto bedroom.  As expected, it was a laugh-a-minute and Jay discussed doing his show during stay-at-home orders. Onrait professed his love for the CFL and growing up as a season ticket holder for the Edmonton Eskimos. Jay extolled the virtues of Regina pizza, and his affection for Cody Fajardo. He laughed uproariously at Chad Kackert’s RP Show interview last week where he said he didn’t know who Jay & Dan are, and said he cares as much for Kackert’s opinion as Kackert does for Jay & Dan! Onrait said he appreciates Rod’s strong support over the years and loves what we’re doing with the RP Show.
• Into Hour 2, the discussion continued on the above topics and CFL fans from across the country chimed in with support for the league, particularly Argo fans in Toronto. Rod got heated again and asked how the English Premier League has gained more notoriety in Canada than the CFL?
• 7-year CFL veteran linebacker Bryn Roy (Alouettes, Roughriders, Eskimos) joined the show from his ranch in Louisiana and said his quiet life really hasn’t changed that much during the pandemic. Roy – the son of legendary pro rodeo steer wrestler Mark Roy – said he’s pursuing a CFL contract but is also competitive on the rodeo circuit. He said he always dreamed of playing for Saskatchewan and when he was in the tunnel prior to the 2016 Labour Day Classic for his first start, tears were streaming down his face that he’d finally achieved his dream.
• Perhaps the most intriguing interview came from Atlantic Schooners co-owner Gary Drummond, the former Arizona Coyotes President of Hockey Operations and Regina business tycoon. Drummond mentioned that plans for the CFL’s 10th franchise are still on track, but things are on hold during the pandemic. He discussed the departure of Anthony Leblanc from the Schooners to the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, and said he wishes him well. “Drummer” revealed that they thought they had a deal in place for their first GM, but it fell through. He also explained why they feel Moncton isn’t suited as the host city of the Schooners, but said the plan remains to play out of Moncton once the expansion franchise is granted and the stadium is being built. Overall it was an extremely positive interview and Schooners fans weighed in on from the Maritimes saying they were pleased with what Drummond had to say.
• The daily Capital Auto Mall/Universal Collision Centre poll question was: Should the CFL receive Federal aid from COVID-19? Over 60% of respondents said yes.
• You can vote now on our Twitter poll for the Rockstar of the Day for RoxDar Supply Chain Solutions. Tuesday’s winner was RP Show Director Jordan.
• Wednesday’s show is available for viewing now on our Facebook page, you can listen to the podcast by clicking on the PODCAST tab, or you can listen anytime on our 24-hour live audio stream at RodPedersen.com/ListenLive presented by SUDS Full Service Car Wash.
• See you at 10 am MT on Thursday on Facebook Live and RodPedersen.com/ListenLive!