VIEWING PARTIES CHEER TEAM ON
Calgarians dressed in their Stampeders jerseys filled local establishments Sunday evening as they cheered their team to victory in the Grey Cup.
While this year’s game took place a lot closer to home than the previous two championship games in Ontario, many longtime fans who didn’t snag tickets to the sold-out final in Edmonton opted to join viewing parties at Calgary bars and restaurants.
At Home and Away on 17th Avenue S.W., Jonathan Stoddart and a group of his friends reserved a spot in front of the sports bar’s big screen. He said after heartbreaking losses for the Stamps in the 2016 and 2017 championships, he had a feeling the team would triumph against the Ottawa Redblacks this year. “I knew we were going to win today, so decided to get a crew together,” he said.
Fans across the room erupted into cheers and whistles as the clock ticked down in the fourth quarter, and were on their feet as the Stamps claimed the CFL title.
Amanda Dillabough said she was thrilled to see her team win.
“I was at the Toronto Grey Cup and so happy to see them win this one,” she said. “They ’ve worked so hard for it. Our city is super proud of the team.”
Dillabough said Sunday’s victory “totally” makes up for the overtime loss to the Redblacks in Toronto two years ago.
“I’ve been going to the games with my dad since I was a little girl,” she said. “We’re season ticket holders and we’re happy to support the team.”
Stoddart, who has been a Stamps fan since moving to Calgary 19 years ago, called the team a “dominant force.”
“Every year it seems like they ’re right in the mix,” he said. “They might have lost the last two Grey Cups, but you don’t get there three years in a row without having a solid organization and a good team.”
Ian Choveaux, his wife and their seven-month-old were also among the fans cheering the Stamps on at Home and Away. Choveaux said his son, who took in the game wearing a miniature Calgary Flames jersey and ear-protecting headphones, seemed to like when the crowd erupted with excitement, such as with the record-setting touchdown to end the first half of the game.
With the third Grey Cup appearance in a row behind them, and now with a victory under their belt, Stamps fans are already looking ahead to next year’s showdown, which will be held on home turf at McMahon Stadium.
“We’ve got to make sure Bo Levi (Mitchell) stays in the red uniform, and it would be great to return to the Grey Cup on home soil,” Stoddart said.
A rally to celebrate the Stamps’ championship is planned for Tuesday, from noon to 1 p.m., at Municipal Plaza.