Roughriders, Bombers fuel excitement for Banjo Bowl
The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers are already tuning up for Saturday’s Banjo Bowl.
The annual rematch between the two teams is staged in Winnipeg the weekend after the Labour Day Classic, which the Riders won 3824 at Mosaic Stadium on Sunday.
A pre-game incident between Riders wide receiver Duron Carter and an undisclosed Blue Bombers fan may add some fuel to an already intense rivalry.
Carter tweeted on Monday and confirmed to reporters on Tuesday that he was spit on by a fan in Winnipeg colours while exchanging high-fives with spectators outside Pil Country, a standing-room-only section overlooking the south end zone of Mosaic Stadium.
“I was kind of taken aback and I was pretty upset,’’ Carter said. “I grabbed one of the security ladies and they escorted him out of the game.’’
Carter felt the act crossed the line for any type of behaviour, regardless of which team a fan supports.
Carter laughed when asked if the Regina Police Service had been called in to deal with the incident.
“Oh no, it’s just spit so no police or none of that,’’ Carter said. “I don’t think the dude is allowed back into the stadium. That’s good enough and everyone makes mistakes.’’
Carter, who had 10 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, is prepared for whatever greeting the Blue Bombers fans may have in store on Saturday.
“I guess there will be a bunch of people yelling at me,’’ Carter said. “I love it. It’s fans watching football. They love Winnipeg and our fans love the Riders.”
Carter had some suggestions for the Winnipeg fans if they are looking to acknowledge him.
“They can make signs or do something creative,’’ Carter said. “They can bring look-alikes, because I’ve only found four people who look like me. Anything outside of physically touching me, go ahead because I love it. If you’re happy about being a Blue Bombers fan and you’re in their stadium, they are supposed to be screaming super loud.’’
Meanwhile, some members of the Blue Bombers increased the Banjo Bowl hype by accusing the Riders of faking injures to slow down Winnipeg’s no-huddle offence on Sunday.
“I just feel like every time we went hurry-up, one of their defensive linemen would have a cramp,” Winnipeg running back Andrew Harris told Postmedia on Sunday. “It was a bit of a coincidence every time that happened. I don’t know if it was part of the game plan or that actually was happening, but it was definitely pissing me off.”
There were three instances of Riders defensive linemen suffering injuries on Sunday and stopping play. Eddie Steele and Makana Henry were both helped off in the first half while apparently dealing with cramps.
Under CFL rules, injured players have to sit out a minimum of three plays before returning to the field of play.
Regardless of what led to the spitting incident or the so-called stalling, what transpired in the Labour Day Classic is sure to be fodder for the fans during a soldout Banjo Bowl at Investors Group Field.