FOOTBALL FRIDAY RECAP

Fridays are reserved for football on The RP Show and the guys tackled the latest topics in the CFL, NFL and U-Sports on Episode #273! Here are the highlights:

• Rod and Dupes opened with The Rollout for Flooring Superstores covering these Quick Six show topics: 1) The U-Sports Board of Directors denies a request to amend the age restriction for athletes affected by COVID in 2020, 2) Thursday CFL SIM scores: Calgary 18 Hamilton 8 and Saskatchewan 16 Toronto 10, 3) The Montreal Impact drops its MLS Is Back opener 2-1 to New England, 4) NBA teams arrive in Orlando, 5) The latest in the CFL; do the players deserve a decision on the 2020 season?, and 6) Gregg Zaun predicts the Blue Jays will finish tied for last place in the AL East.
• Regarding the U-Sports decision, Rod recapped his discussion with interim CEO Dick White on why they won’t amend the age cap. The full details are in the post lower down on this page. White said they agonized over the decision but in the end felt it was best to keep the rules the way they are, citing legal advice. RP surmised that it’s no different than Olympic athletes and junior hockey players who’ve seen their careers end abruptly. It sucks, but this is the reality.
• Hall of Fame Roughrider broadcaster John “Frenzy” Lynch joined the bunker in Segment 2 and reiterated his stance that the CFL must play in 2020 at all costs. He’s not in favour of the NFL assuming some control of the CFL by way of a cash infusion. Frenzy also discussed his disdain for the Edmonton Eskimos franchise – due largely to their dominance over Saskatchewan over the years – but agreed a name change is in order. He suggested the “Edmonton Green & Golds”.
• RP Show NFL Insider Tori Gurley joined the show and reported the NFL players he’s talked to are excited for the season and expect to play. He felt the Patrick Mahomes $450-million contract is “horrible” and explained why (only around 30% is guaranteed). The former Packer and Brown also explained why he has no problem with Cam Newton’s deal with New England which calls for a base of $550,000. Tori also said “frustration” is the best way to describe how his friends in the CFL are feeling at the moment.
• Hour 2 was broadcast on Facebook Live only and Calgary broadcaster Mike Lownsbrough joined. The former Voice of the Stamps has no problem with an NFL bailout for the CFL, saying he wants to see the best football possible. The Carnduff, SK product also discussed his docu-series on Brett “The Hitman” Hart which is available on pay-per-view at www.bretthart.com.
• Ticats/Eskimos/Roughriders/Bisons alum Eddie Steele joined the show from Edmonton and expressed how disappointed he is for U-Sports seniors. Eddie won a Vanier Cup with Manitoba. He feels CFL players are owed a decision by Commissioner Randy Ambrosie, and that decision should’ve been made by now. Regarding the name “Eskimos”, Eddie backed up Jordin Tootoo’s comments about how the nickname affects Inuit people and trusts the Eskimos will make the right decision. He agreed with Rod that the pressure on the Eskimos is coming more from sponsors than the Inuit community.
• The daily Capital Auto Mall/Universal Collision Centre poll question was: Did U-Sports do the right thing by not amending the age cap for COVID-affected players? At press time, over 70% of respondents said no.
• You can vote now on our Twitter poll for the Rockstar of the Day for RoxDar Supply Chain Solutions. At press time, Eddie Steele was leading. Thursday’s vote was won by Peter Loubardias.
• Friday’s show is available for viewing now on our Facebook page, you can listen to the podcast by clicking on the PODCAST tab at the top of this page, or you can listen anytime to our 24-hour live audio stream at RodPedersen.com/ListenLive presented by SUDS Full Service Car Wash.
• See you at 10 am MT on Monday on Game+ TV, Facebook Live and RodPedersen.com/ListenLive. Our guest list includes Philadelphia Eagles LB Alex Singleton!