The Dreaded REDBLACKS

I don't know why it took us so long to drive up to Montreal for CFL games.  As I've discussed before, I've actually been a fan of the CFL for a long time, but it certainly took an almost equally long time to rally to cross the border.  Last year we went to our first CFL game and this year we're shooting for two, and then next year we'll take advantage of the discounted three game ticket package.  There was some talk this time of a larger contingent heading north, but conflicting schedules - and the fact that Mike Lange was not back from his sabbatical away in Newfoundland (why he didn't just swing by on the drive back and meet us in Montreal is still a bone of contention) - meant that only the excellent Andy Burkhardt and I made the trip (which is really OK, because we're the biggest CFL fans anyway).  We attended the Montreal Alouettes home opener this season when they were playing the dreaded Ottawa REDBLACKS, who were an expansion team last year (getting the CFL back up to nine teams).  Andy likes them, and they may be his favorite team - or it may be the Calgary Stampeders (I can't mock him because I have three favorite CFL teams, so a third of the league) - because one of their alternative jerseys features plaid.  I like them because their team name is completely in capitals, which I'm pretty certain is a first in professional sports.  Truthfully, if I thought they had chosen REDBLACKS as an homage to Stendahl then they would probably be my favorite team (they did have great fans).  Sadly, and typically, the Alouettes lost in heartbreaking fashion, but it was fun nonetheless.

The Alouettes were led out by number 19, S.J. Green, who really tried to fire up the crowd, which made him Andy's favorite player.  We decided that his career was based on the notion that if you can't afford A.J. Green - and don't really need catches from your wide receiver - then sign S.J. Green.

We bummed around in the tailgating area before the game, which was pretty cool, although we thought more would be going on.  As is well known, the western conference CFL teams (Montreal is, naturally, in the east) are better at tailgating.  Andy wore his plaid shirt to show his support for the REDBLACKS.

We stopped at a quiet little bar for a couple beers before the game and had the place to ourselves, which was weird because all the other bars near the stadium were packed.  It probably didn't help that the ATM and credit card machine was broken.  A nice guy came in to fix it while we were there, and apparently was using a jackhammer and a drill.  Still, they, like all Canadians, were incredibly nice and we'll definitely revisit.

To me, a well known gourmand, the high point of the trip was the smoked meat at Schwartz's Deli, a short walk from the campus.  We're discussing the very real possibility of going back just for a trip to Schwartz's and tailgating, and not actually going to the game.  However, we love the CFL, so that's just crazy talk.