Luc Mullinder
Be careful everyone! We must keep the focus on Football this Saturday! There’s a hunt going on that some of us aren’t seeing…
There’s no better time to be a BC Lion. What an absolutely DELICOUS set of circumstances.
With all of Ridernation focused in on the hoopla and pageantry surrounding the last CFL game at Mosaic Stadium, the British Columbia Lions can come in here and literally tear this building down.
Now, to many of you, it may appear odd that I seem to be penning a piece that likes the case of the opponent, however as a former pro and someone who remains insanely competitive, I can’t ignore the fact that every professional football player wants to be in the situation that Wally Buonos team is in.
On Saturday night, the Lions (who are in the heated battle for 2nd in the Western Conference) get to come in here and play the coveted SPOILER roll in what is supposed to be a Cinderella-like ending. Players want nothing more than to disappoint the fans of the home team. I can imagine that the feeling must be two-fold with the Lions having a chance to bury the CFL’s Most Recognizable and Marketable brands.
That’s the downside of being the MECCA of Canadian Football. Everyone’s a hater! If this game was put up for bidding to the other 8 teams in this league at the beginning of the year, teams would have blown Bo Levi-Mitchell money to come in here and take their shot at “The Old Girl on Piffles.”
It’s been all over the CFL news. The “End of an Era” memorials, the tear-jerkers, the feel-good pieces. Hell, even I produced my final goodbye to Taylor Field as an ode to the building that I owe so much to.
Everyone is anticipating a spectacle! The pre-game show analysing the pre-game show…the halftime show…the EXTENDED post-game show…the extra post game show that covers the extended post game show that was covered extensively on one of the extra TSN channels…there’s a lot.
No wonder the Week 19 visitors seem so “honoured” to be the last team to come in and compete in Old Mosaic. BC probably feels like they’re carrying the hopes and dreams of the other seven CFL squads.
Wally’s not fooling anyone by the way. Nice try Coach.
I’ve heard a couple of his interviews since his squad has pulled into town. The elder statesman of the league played right into the emotional feel-good stories that the media lobbed him. There’s nobody in the world who wants to win this game by 150 pts more than Wally Buono.
Again…just projecting from my competitive side.
Saturday will be a sensitive day for everyone. There are families that have passed down season tickets from generation to generation in this building. Roughrider supporters of all ages have stopped me in the street this week to reminisce about their favourite Mosaic Moments. Friends have talked about the pre-game routines that their fathers have remained loyal to no matter how good, or how bad this team was doing; and there are fans that are coming in from all over the country just to sit with their loved ones for a final time.
Just remember folks. There’s a whole four quarters of football left to be played. Don’t spend all your energy on the hype surrounding the game. The Green and White are going to need you to be loud and locked in for all 60 minutes.
There’s Lions on the prowl. What’s worse is that they’re laying in the thick grass watching you prance around freely and not paying attention to the fact that they’re hungry.
