Field conditions a talking point after Grey Cup
Slick surface in Edmonton hindered both teams while limiting skill players’ impact
The weather at the Grey Cup seemed ideal for a late November day in Edmonton. You wouldn’t know it by the state of the field at Commonwealth Stadium.
The field conditions emerged as one of the main talking points following Calgary’s 27-16 victory over Ottawa in the CFL’s championship game on Sunday.
Traction was challenging at best for players as the artificial turf surface became icy and slick.
On Monday, the CFL said it planned to meet in the off-season with turf manufacturers and stadium operations staff to see if improvements can be made.
“The teams performed well and the game certainly produced a worthy Grey Cup champion,” the league told The Canadian Press in an emailed statement. “But it was obvious the field was slippery. With temperatures fluctuating, moisture accumulated near the base of the turf and ultimately froze.
“Weather and challenging conditions have long been a part of late-season football. But we do plan to sit down with manufacturers and stadium operations staff to explore what else could possibly be done in the future to improve the playing surface.”
The temperature hovered near the freezing mark at kickoff with light winds. However, the playing surface got worse as the mercury dropped.
“It was treacherous,” said Stampeders coach Dave Dickenson. “It was just about like a road right after a snowstorm.”
It didn’t seem to matter what kind of cleats the players used as slipping and sliding became the norm rather than the exception.
“It wasn’t pretty icy, it was very icy,” said Ottawa running back William Powell, who ran for a game-high 94 yards. “But both teams had to play on it. Hopefully in the future we can make better conditions for the Grey Cup, but that’s just how it was today.”
The 2019 Grey Cup will be played at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
Tired but happy, the Stampeders arrived home with the Grey Cup in tow Monday.
After two straight Grey Cup losses to underdog teams, Dickenson’s emotions were a mixture of joy and relief.
“It felt good, but I have to admit there was so much pressure and uneasiness you know,” Dickenson said.
“If you didn’t get it done for the third year, can you overcome that as an organization, as a team, as a coach? I just tried to keep the guys focused.
“We stuck together, we believe in each other and guys did what they had to do to win. It’s great to win a championship. Even better to win it in Edmonton.”
Dickenson stepped off the bus at McMahon Stadium with the coveted trophy and hoisted it in the air for about 70 fans and media.
The former quarterback won his first Grey Cup as a head coach. Dickenson was the team’s offensive co-ordinator when Calgary won it in 2014.
A celebration of Calgary’s win is scheduled for today at noon in front of city hall.
“It’s probably the most rewarding season in my career, not really individually, just as a team,” receiver Eric Rogers said.