# The CFL is WAY more fun than the NFL - change my mind. :-) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [July 6, 2025, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560 "2025-07-06T17:25:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/21 "2025-07-17T01:54:23Z")
This piqued my curiosity so I looked up quarterback [statistics](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_gridiron_football_quarterbacks_passing_statistics). Tom Brady, followed by Drew Brees are the total passing yard leaders. The next set of names on the list is Anthony Calvillo (CFL), Damon Allen (CFL), Warren Moon (both leagues), Ron Lancaster (CFL) and then Johnny Unitas (NFL). Of course other stats favour the NFL but on just pure “throw the ball a lot” the CFL shows up! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/22 "2025-07-17T02:44:23Z")
At one point Damon Allen was the leading passer in both leagues. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/23 "2025-07-17T16:53:07Z")
About the end zones. I recall that back in the days of the 25 yard endzones, one or more stadiums had the corners of the endzones clipped off on account of a quarter mile running track around the field. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/24 "2025-07-17T17:06:47Z")
Yes, and when fans could be at ground level, the end zones at Taylor Field were fenced off with wooden fencing. If a player ran into the fence while trying to make a play in the end zone, well, football is a rough game, so suck it up, buttercup. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/25 "2025-07-20T00:05:10Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > If a player ran into the fence while trying to make a play in the end zone, well, football is a rough game, so suck it up, buttercup. 😁 Never mind the fence. There’s a pylon in the middle of the end zone. It holds up the goal posts on the CFL field. Try going out for a pass, and having to keep your eye on the QB, the ball, and the pylon. Run into the pylon? Well, suck it up buttercup indeed! . ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2025, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/26 "2025-07-21T15:42:38Z")
The goal posts used to be on the goal line in the NFL until 1974. I recall some receivers would try to use the posts as picks to lose a defender. Defenders had to watch for all the things receivers did, but the man they were defending. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/27 "2025-08-17T05:37:47Z")
Riders advance to 8-1 record, first in the league and the West. this CFL season is definitely fun! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/28 "2025-09-01T01:01:47Z")
I’m at the Labour Day Classic, where the Riders welcome the arch-rivals from Winnipeg. Sellout and the stadium is a madhouse. It’s designed to be loud and this game it always is. And the folks are dressing up. Jesus is here, holding up a sign that says: **T** hou **S** halt **N** ot cheer for Winnipeg. (Obviously hoping to get picked up by the broadcaster, TSN.) There’s a cheese-head walking around. The Fun Police, composed of guys in police uniforms combined with all the team logos are here. They normally just show up at Grey Cup Lots of folks in blue. Mostly good natured, but some jerks. À game of virtual musical chairs in the field before the game started. Oh yes, the game. Riders got off to a slow start, with the score at 10-0 for the first quarter. By half-time, they’d come up to 14-10, with an explosive pass and run combination for about 80 yards for the TD. No score in the 3rd quarter yet. Riders pinned the Bombers deep in their end; Bombers punted; Riders made a run and got good field position on the Bombers’ 50 yard line, leading to a field goal. Now 17-10. Bombers threatening ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/29 "2025-09-01T01:11:06Z")
Dang it. Tie game. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/30 "2025-09-01T01:19:36Z")
Riders TD, but kicker flubbed. the point after. 23-17. (He’s been having a bad season. Wouldn’t be surprised if his job’s in jeopardy.) ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/31 "2025-09-01T01:44:36Z")
Hey! It’s been 24 minutes! What’s happening?! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/32 "2025-09-01T01:50:24Z")
Time for the 4th quarter stretch, sponsored by Worksafe Saskatchewan. Worksafe Bob and the cheer squad lead the fans in dancing stretches, to the tune of _The Last Saskatchewan Pirate_ 🏴‍☠️ by the Arrogant Worms. . 🎶 When you see the Jolly Roger in Regina’s mighty shores 🎶 ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/33 "2025-09-01T01:52:06Z")
Very nice, but what about the score?! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/34 "2025-09-01T01:59:29Z")
> [@Kropotkin](#): > > Hey! It’s been 24 minutes! What’s happening?! Discourse doesn’t like it when I talk too much. Big Riders flag passing through the fans two rows ahead. However, Bombers fell victim to crowd noise. Time count violation, then procedure penalty, which then seemed to throw off the QB’s timing, and a fumble. Riders picked it up and two plays later, TD with a two point convert. 31-17 Bombers managed to put together a good drive 31-24. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/35 "2025-09-01T02:26:16Z")
It was opening day of fall meet at the local track, so most of the TVs were on horse racing. The rest were showing the Blue Jays. I managed to leave with a few more dollars than I walked in with, at any rate. Tomorrow, I see the Argos are taking on the Tiger-Cats, as is traditional this weekend. But it is also a racing day. So many sports, so little time! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/36 "2025-09-01T03:43:17Z")
Back home now. With about 3 minutes to go, Riders put together a drive but it petered out; were on the Bombers 45 on 3rd down, with about 4 yards to go . Everyone expected a punt, but the offence stayed on. (Behind me in the stands : “Jesus Christ, they’re not going for it?!?”) Ball snaps to Riders QB - and he punts! Not high, just a squib, but it bounces close to the end zone. Bomber recovers it, but two or three Riders are on him. He runs along the goal line, then into the end zone, and gets tackled. Two points go up on the scoreboard for a safety: 33-24 But then the refs go into a huddle, and head ref André Proulx (whom Riders fan hate) announces that it’s not a safety, because the Riders didn’t put the ball in the end zone. Ball carrier was “carried in by the ball-carrier’s own momentum”, so it’s just a single. Well okay then: Riders 32, Bombers 24. 8 point game. Bombers start a drive, and although the Riders are really on them, they manage to put together a really good run; then the Bomber QB throws a long bomb to a Bomber around the Sask 12 yard line; Rider gets tangled up with the Bomber and knocks the ball down; but, refs rule it was defensive pass interference and ball is placed at the point of interference. Bombers need 8 points to tie the game, which would trigger overtime. They get a touchdown, for six points. Score: 32-30 Bombers go for a 2 point convert to get the tie. QB makes a pass into the endzone. Pass is intercepted by a Rider in the endzone, who starts running. And running. And running. No Bomber touches him. About 115 yards later, he’s in the Bombers’ endzone. Not considered a TD, because the Bombers were trying for a 2 point convert; Riders score 2 points for the run. Score: 34 - 30 Clock is ticking (note to US Dopers: CFL rules have a three minute warning, and during that period, if a play is whistled dead, the clock stops running.) Bombers try to put togeher a drive with less than a minute to go. Riders stop them. On 3rd down, Bombers go for a short kick. Kick is too short, only about 5 yards, not the 10 that’s required. Normally that’s a penalty and a loss of downs, but it didn’t matter: the Riders recovered the ball on the 5 yard spot. And that was it for the game. Great rejoicing in Riderville. Long trip home for Bomber fans. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/37 "2025-09-01T15:00:27Z")
For those who are not familiar with the CFL this might seem like a wild, crazy ending to a football game, but for the CFL it’s pretty much par for the course. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/38 "2025-09-01T22:28:55Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Tomorrow, I see the Argos are taking on the Tiger-Cats, as is traditional this weekend I didn’t catch it, but looks like it went to the wire: Argos over Ti-Cats, 35-33. Argos were very much the underdogs. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2025, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/39 "2025-09-02T05:22:05Z")
It did. It went right down to one second remaining in the game. Argos had the ball on the Ti-Cats’ four yard line. Time enough for one play, and the Argos made the most of it. A friend who is also from the GTA and I were at the local racetrack, and the game was on inside. When the Argos pulled the win off, both of us let out with “Arrrrr–gos!” Bonus: I won on my racing wagers! ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2025, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560/40 "2025-09-02T05:53:34Z")
I’m expecting the Riders to get a spanking in the "Banjo Bowl. Back around 2003 or so, the Winnipeg Blue Bomber place kicker, Troy Westwood claimed that people from Saskatchewan were a bunch of “banjo picking inbreds”. He later ‘'corrected himself” claiming that he was in error and apologized as “most Saskatchewan residents likely cannot play the banjo”. And the game in Winnipeg the weekend following Labour Day came to be known as the “Banjo Bowl”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cfl-is-way-more-fun-than-the-nfl-change-my-mind/1020560.md?page=3)