FOOTBALL FRIDAY RECAP: A HALL OF FAME EDITION!

We brought in more heavy-hitters on Episode #278 of The RP Show! Here are the highlights:

• Rod and Dupes opened with The Rollout for Flooring Superstores covering these Quick Six show topics: 1) TSN reports the Edmonton Eskimos will indeed be changing their name (the Edmonton football club would later deny that report), 2) Rod said he hears the official announcement will come down on Monday and it’ll cost the franchise $1,000,000 to make the switch, 3) CFL great Kamau Peterson applauds the move and says people shouldn’t be mascots. “Period.”, Kamau stated on Instagram (RP disagrees offering what about the Cowboys, the Pats, the Canadiens, etc.). Are the Oilers “anti-climate”?, etc., 5) 15 women in the Washington Redskins organization allege sexual misconduct/harrassment, 6) King’s Park Speedway’s season begins this weekend and Rod donned a checkered flag mask as the ceremonial flag-dropper for the weekend, along with Pat Fiacco.
• RP got into the “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” debate saying he respects Dave Naylor’s and Arash Madani’s opinions that the CFL won’t suffer this fate if they don’t play in 2020, but he stands by his opinion that it will. Consumers are already focusing on other sports, directing their funds to record RV and boat sales, camping supplies and the like. Plus advertisers in Canada have begun targeting their ad dollars towards NFL, NHL, etc. These are habit-forming and can be tough to break, plus, if the advertisers see a return on their investment, it will be tough to get them back.
• Hall of Fame Roughriders broadcaster John “Frenzy” Lynch told stories of the career of Rider great Clyde Brock, who was named to the CFHOF induction class on Thursday. Brock retired in 1975, and Frenzy called his games. Lynch also discussed the prospects of no CFL season in 2020, and why fans aren’t convinced the financial situation is as dire as it’s being portrayed.
• The newest Canadian Football Hall of Famer Henry Burris joined the show from Ottawa to discuss Thursday’s announcement that Hank is part of the 2020 class. Burris revealed that he’s going into the CFHOF as a RedBlack, and will be the first from the franchise to be inducted. The Spiro, OK product discussed the trials and tribulations of his career including fallouts in Saskatchewan, Hamilton and Calgary. He’s overcome a lot to achieve this honour. Henry also slammed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and said he got over his spat with Rod where RP suggested Bo Levi Mitchell is the #1 QB of the 2010’s. “You’ll always be my guy,” Henry laughed, “And we’ll always be closer than you and Bo!”
• Montreal Alouettes head coach Khari Jones joined the show to discuss his involvement with Living Works Education for suicide prevention. Khari said his association with that group dates back 17 years. He also discussed the importance of players’ mental health and how that’s a huge factor in how he guides the Alouettes. Khari also said he’s optimistic the CFL will play in 2020 and is preparing for a season until told otherwise.
• The Executive Director of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame Mark Denobile joined the show from Burlington, ON to discuss Thursday’s announcement. He said 79-year old Clyde Brock – a Saskatchewan Roughriders great – got the news of his induction at his home in Oregon and was itching to tell his coffee buddies. Mark told several stories of phone calls he’s made to inductees over the years, highlighted by BC Lions great Brent Johnson who almost got into a car accident when he was told the news! Denobile explained the selection and nomination process, and said they need help from the media to spread the word of the CFHOF.
• The daily Capital Auto Mall/Universal Collision Centre poll question was: If the CFL had a video game, who would be on the cover – Bo Levi Mitchell, Cody Fajardo, Andrew Harris or Mike Reilly? At press time, Bo Levi was leading.
• Don’t forget to tune into Friday Night Football of the 2020 CFL SIM season as we’ll be broadcasting the BC Lions (2-3) at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-3) at 8 pm CT, 7 pm MT tonight on The Rod Pedersen Show Facebook Live channel.
• You can vote now on our Twitter poll for the Rockstar of the Day for RoxDar Supply Chain Solutions. At press time, Henry Burris was leading. Thursday’s vote finished in a tie between Connor Ingram and Arash Madani.
• 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.
• See you at 10 am MT on Monday on Game+ TV, Facebook Live and RodPedersen.com/ListenLive!