Chlorophyll is a pretty sweet molecule. For those of you who paid attention in biology when they were talking about photosystems, you know all about this. When I hear photosystem, I think facebook, but regardless, chlorophyll is awesome. And if you’ve ever met me you know I don’t just love green because it’s the colour of trees and grass and all that stuff --- that’s great, but the real awesomeness of green is that it’s the colour of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Those same green Roughriders romped to an exciting 27-17 victory over the Calgary Stampeders, and not surprisingly (for those of you who have been around Canadian football) the Canadian Air Force of Andy Fantuz, Rob Bagg, and Chris Getzlaf rounded up the touchdown passes from Darian Durant. Durant’s parents were in the crowd for the first time ever, and beamed with pride on their quarterback son who was told he couldn’t make it in the big leagues.
The Montreal Alouettes dominated and systematically destroyed the British Columbia Lions in typical over-the-top fashion at Olympic Stadium. The final score of 56-18 is a compliment to the talent and depth of the Montreal squad, but also shows how off the Lions were for most of the game. Anthony Calvillo, the elder statesman of Canadian quarterbacks, remained his cool and collected self as he tossed five touchdown passes.
It should never be a surprise that Canadians can play football given the way they tear up the field in important games. Both the Montreal Alouettes and the Saskatchewan Roughriders start a roster with more than the minimum number of Canadians, and that’s been a big key to their success this year. Contrary to what some people say, the Canadian spirit doesn’t sit down when the pressure is on.
The Canadian spirit is what makes the big game, the Grey Cup, so much fun. I’ve watched the Grey Cup in farmhouses deep in the prairie backroads, I’ve watched it in the woods in Ontario, with friends and enemies, with hardcore CFL fans and confused older ladies; I remember watching when it snowed in Edmonton, and I was there in person in Montreal last year. There’s nothing like it, and that’s why it’s been the biggest sporting event in Canada for so long. You can bet that the 97th Grey Cup, held in Calgary, Alberta, is going to be the biggest and best celebration of Canada that you’re going to find come this weekend. Cheer for the Alouettes, or cheer for the Riders, but most of all, cheer for Canada!