1. The Grey Cup player introductions were interesting, to say the least. It began when the Hamilton defensive players were individually introduced. They weren't met with cheers. They weren't met with boos either. Instead, the players came out to dead silence. It was shocking, and I loved it! All week we heard about how they were planning on using the booing as motivation. Well, coming out to dead silence simply drained all of the excitement and energy out of their entrance.
2. On the other hand, as the Riders came out, something I have never seen before happened. Each individual player was supposed to be introduced. However, the Rider players simply all charged out, regardless of the common procedure! They come out as a team during the regular season, and this wasn't going to change for the Grey Cup! I loved it! It sure pumped up the crowd even more!
3. Obviously the Riders dominated the game. It's been said all year long that the East Division was weak. They're usually weak every year, but at least every year there is one team that stands out (such as how Montreal used to, or Toronto did last year). Not this time around.
4. Defence and running the ball. This will win you a Grey Cup. And it certainly did on Sunday night.
5. The TSN turning point of the game was when Kory Sheets, facing 2nd and 19 from the Sask. 19 yard line, ran 21 yards for the first down. Momentum was clearly with Hamilton at that point of the game, and had Sask. punted, who knows what would have happened. No problem, just hand the ball to Sheets, get some great blocks, and keep marching the ball. I have never seen anything like that during a Grey Cup.
6. The person I am most happy for is obviously Rider QB Darian Durant. I sometimes compare him to Jesus. Yes, that's right. Durant takes all the criticism and blame whenever things aren't going well in Riderville. He carries the weight of the team, and province, and moves forwards. In short, he carries this heavy burden on behalf of others. After the game star receiver Weston Dressler spoke on how Durant takes the rest of the team's blame onto him, which then allows everyone else to play more freely. Yes, Jesus takes on the burden of our sins, and the blame we deserve, and allows us to live freely. Congratulations Durant!
7. I re-watched a large chunk of the game last night. What struck me is just how dominant Saskatchewan was. You see, in Grey Cups history proves that offences usually struggle. When the Riders were in the Grey Cups in 2009 and 2010, Montreal and SK scored a combined 9 touchdowns in those two games. On Sunday night the Riders alone scored 6 TDs! Again, it was shocking how well they ran the ball.
8. John Chick, family man, good Catholic, and all around great guy was the star on defence. He reminded me of how he played in the 2007 Grey Cup.
9. Also in the above picture is Ticats QB Henry Burris. Burris is undoubtedly a great QB, but he's always been one to get rattled if things don't go well. That's exactly what happened. HEEEEENNNRRRRYYYY!
10. Ricky Foley of the Riders won the Grey Cup with B.C., in B.C., in 2011. He won the Grey Cup with Toronto, in Toronto, in 2012. And now he has won the Grey Cup with Saskatchewan, in Saskatchewan, in 2013. This stat blows me away.
11. There is no understating what this victory means for the entire province. The devastation of 2009 and 2010 still hurts, and it will never really go away. But winning, in this fairy tale fashion, means we can move on. In many ways losing those past two Grey Cups made this win 100x more meaningful and sweeter.
12. The 13th man jokes can go away for a while, because the 13th man (the crowd) was very very significant in rattling the Ticats early. Even the TSN commentators spoke on this. Watching on T.V. can never give you a true indication of just how loud it gets at Taylor Field. I've been there. Trust me, it gets LOUD.
13. I will end with the number 13. In honour of Grey Cup 2013 and the 13th man. We certainly enjoyed watching the game! I couldn't sit for the 4th quarter!
Nervous moment
Group shot
A celebratory drink!
