Meet an American CFL Fan #3

Yes, yes, I know, I've been slacking at updating my blog. I have an excuse, but not a very good one. Now that that's out of the way, let's meet our next American CFL Fan! It's @CFLAmericanFan!


1. Thanks for agreeing to answer some questions for us today. To start off, tell us a bit about yourself!

 I am a welder born and raised in Ohio. Mid 30's, married, one 11 year old son.

2. What attracted you to the CFL?

I grew up on the Cleveland Browns. Cried when they left, rejoiced when they returned. Cried most Sundays since. The only thing separating me from Canada is Lake Erie. When I was a boy, Joe Carter stopped being an Indian and became a Blue Jay. The infatuation was kindled. I went to Toronto in 7th grade on a field trip. I fell in love. Slowly, through baseball and hockey I became more and more aware of Canadian sports. Watched the World Junior hockey tournament every christmastime with my uncle, then the Brier. Love curling too. CHL came with the territory. (Go Spitfires!) Eventually, we found ourselves watching the Grey Cup every Thanksgiving weekend. Casually at first, but it became tradition. We are now so fully involved in the CFL, that I couldn't tell you the Browns record. I think they won once.

3. What do you like about the CFL? Anything you dislike?

Open field, fast paced, and as a wannabe running back, the fact that 4 yard runs up the gut aren't gonna get you anything. Now, as I've become an addict, I love the league having 9 teams. I can learn the story lines, who is hot? Who is cold? Who is injured. It is 9 soap operas worth of story, and each is better than Luke and Laura in General Hospital. Having that familiarity helps me cheer for most any team in any game.

The only thing I dislike? The geographically closest team is Hamilton. 4 hours or so drive away. I really hope Windsor Ontario can be the tenth team.

4. Do you have a favorite team? How about favorite players?

I am very partial to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Why? I have no clue. They feel like they can be a Cleveland team, and I mean that in all the best ways.

Since I started my Twitter account (@CFLAmericanFan, follow me.  Please?) I have tweeted about most of the games. The one team that has responded and encouraged me is the BC Lions. Because of their response, and maybe a genetic predilection to orange football teams, I find myself cheering louder for them.

For players, I admit, I'm still learning. However, it seems impossible to hate Henry Burris. I hated to see Zach Collaros go down, he was so fun to watch, similarly Travis Lulay and Drew Willy. I never blink when Brandon Banks is ready for a kick.

To be honest, even after his footwork faux pas last week, I really like Lirim Harall... Yeah. Spelling is hard. Bombers #70.

5. Ever made a trip to a game? If so, how was the experience?

Not yet. But I'll be damned if I don't take my monkey child to Tim Horton's Field next year. The Ticats are the only sports team he truly loves. He cried his 11 year old eyes out when Zach went down.

6. What kind of reaction do you get from fellow Americans when you tell them you follow the CFL?

"They have Canadian football?"

"Is it like rugby?"

"You mean soccer?"

"What college jersey is that?"

I've gotten all of the above just this week, even though I won the Bombers "#RockYourBomberGear" promotion. It gets tiring, but I can preach all day.

7. Anything else you'd like to share?

Go Bombers. Go Lions.

8. How can others get in touch with you to talk CFL?

On Twitter @CFLAmericanFan.