Calgary

Calgary fans bringing football fever to southern Ontario

It was Pigskinpalooza on Saturday in Southern Ontario.

Dinos fall 31-26 in Vanier Cup championship, Stampeders face Redblacks on Sunday

Calgary Dinos' Joan Van Pelt sacks Laval Rouge et Or Quarterback Hugo Richard during first half of Vanier Cup action in Hamilton on Saturday. (Nathan Denette/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

It was Pigskinpalooza on Saturday in Southern Ontario.

We started the day at BMO Field where the Calgary Stampeders held their final practice before Sunday's Grey Cup game.

Calgary fans with a flag bearing the name and jersey number of Mylan Hicks, who was killed outside a nightclub in late September. (Doug Dirks)

I had a chance to visit with a group of Stamps fans who had a special red flag made with Hicks and the number 31 on it in honour of Mylan Hicks, who was killed outside a Calgary nightclub a few months ago.

After practice I spoke with an emotional Jamar Wall, who will once again wear number 31 to honour his slain friend, with Mylan's mom in the stands on Sunday.

Alex Singleton's family is on hand in Toronto to cheer him on at the Grey Cup. (Doug Dirks)

I also talked to Alex Singleton's mom and his older sister. Ashley has Down Syndrome, helping Alex keep football in perspective.

Alex Singleton speaks to his family during practice. His sister Ashley is an accomplished Special Olympics swimmer. (Doug Dirks)

Alex says if the Stamps win on Sunday, Ashley will probably remind him that she still has way more titles than he does. Ashley is an accomplished swimmer in the Special Olympics.

Fans of the University of Calgary Dinos in the stands at the Vanier Cup on Saturday. (Doug Dirks)

From there, it was off to the Vanier Cup game in Hamilton for the University of Calgary game against Laval. 

The Dinos scored on their first play from scrimmage, to the delight of their fans. Unfortunately, the Rouge et Or came back to win a close one 31-26.

Time to head back to the Grey Cup party in Toronto. Or as I like to call it, "research."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Doug Dirks

CBC Radio/TV Host

Host of CBC Radio's The Homestretch and Our Calgary on CBC TV. Sports commentator. Entertaining and informing Calgarians for years.