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Sights, Sounds and Social: Week 2

CFL.ca
@Carlos77Verde

Week 2 had it all in the Canadian Football League.

There were ridiculous catches, a full-field touchdown return, and REDBLACKS receiver Diontae Spencer gave the most memorable post-game interview of the young season.

There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started.

Saskatchewan @ Ottawa

As per usual, the REDBLACKS packed the house at TD Place with raucous fans of all ages for their home opener last Thursday.

Since joining the league in 2014, the team has tried to foster a tight relationship between its players and the local community; receiver Greg Ellingson took that mission to another level in the second quarter, when he celebrated a touchdown with a fan:

 

Noel Thorpe’s Ottawa defence was monstrous, and William Powell went off for 118 all-purpose yards and a pair of touchdowns — inspiring a solid #CFLFrenzy gif from the REDBLACKS.

Late in the game and leading by three scores, the REDBLACKS then took to trolling Saskatchewan receiver-turned-defensive back Duron Carter; the enigmatic two-way Rider had said earlier in the week that Ottawa didn’t have anything special on offence, and the REDBLACKS roasted him on the scoreboard.

Then, they trolled him on Twitter.

Carter, who hauled in a pick-six only to be burned by Spencer and flagged for a pair of pass-interference calls later in Thursday’s game, responded with a series of tweets.

Circle your calendars for September 15th, folks: That’s when the REDBLACKS will visit Regina for the return leg of this blossoming cross-divisional rivalry.

 

Winnipeg at Montreal

Before talking about any of the on-field action for the Bombers this week — and there was plenty in Montreal — we need to talk about good guy Matt Nichols:

Here’s a star quarterback, rehabbing a serious injury at home while his team is on the road, and how does he spend his Saturday? Filling in for offensive coordinator Paul LaPolice at one of the LaPo children’s football games. They say football is family, and Nichols epitomizes that.

On the field, it was one-way traffic as rookie quarterback extraordinaire Chris Streveler led the Bombers to a monstrous 56-10 win.

The University of South Dakota, Streveler’s alma mater, got in on the action:

While Streveler looks comfortable under centre, we’re not sure the reverse-whip is something that needs to stay:

We’ll let you decide on those moves for yourself, but Streveler earned his first career victory on Friday night with a 246-yard, three-touchdown performance.

 

Hamilton at Edmonton

So, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats went into Edmonton and did what virtually nobody expected them to: Win.

As one would expect, they were pretty fired up about it:

 

“We’re just getting started.”

A post shared by Hamilton Tiger-Cats (@hamiltontigercats) on

It wasn’t all bad on the Eskimos side of things, though.

Duke Williams went off for an 88-yard touchdown catch — thank you, Rod Black — and then showed ice in his veins on the sideline afterwards. Look at the intensity!

8️⃣8️⃣➡️🏠. . @81_reasons is a bad… bad… man.

A post shared by Edmonton Eskimos (@officialedmesks) on

Despite the loss, the Esks’ home opener was a definitive win for the club’s community initiatives:

 

Granted, it was all Ticats on Friday night at Commonwealth; Hamilton fans have a lot to be happy about, with their team returning home 1-1 from a tough Alberta trip with plenty of positives.

Also: CFL baby alert!

 

Calgary at Toronto

CFL on TSN panellist Milt Stegall stole the show on social media with a lumbering 5.09 run in a pre-game 40-yard dash at Toronto’s BMO Field.

Suited up and sprinting hard, the Bombers legend is still in good shape and looks like he has a few more routes in him.

 

Bonus points for the matching tie-running shoes combo. He came prepared!

On the field, Saturday’s contest was never all that close — the Stamps led 20-1 by half — but did feature a number of big plays.

Eric Rogers announced his return with authority, hauling in 131 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

He was also a human highlight reel in the process.

 

The biggest news of the night, without a doubt, was the neck injury sustained by Ricky Ray in the third quarter; Ray was sacked heavily and eventually stretchered off and taken to hospital, prompting an outpouring of support from across the CFL community:

Fans from around the league chimed in with words of support for the legendary Argos quarterback.

There you have it, another entertaining week in the CFL, both on the field and on social media.

And don’t you ever forget: Diontae Spencer and the Ottawa REDBLACKS are tough.