Redblacks welcome fans to the stands ahead of CFL season
It's been awhile since TD Place echoed with the loud ringing of Greg Jurchuk's larger than life bell.
“It's supposed to be the size of a school bell but it's a little larger,” said Jurchuk. The season ticket holder is counting down the days until he can do so once again.
“Any time they score a touchdown I'm able to ring the bell and scream,” he said. “If you do that anywhere else people look at you strange. In the stadium I'm just part of everybody else.”
He joined a large group of dedicated Redblacks fans braving the rain at the team's annual Fan Fest for a chance to catch a live scrimmage and meet the players.
“There is no way we that we would miss anything to do with the Redblacks,” said Virginia Gaffney.
From meeting Big Joe to playing Jenga, there was plenty to do for 9-year-old twins Logan and Jack Bisson.
“Football is one of my favourite sports,” said Logan.
“I always feel like its home here because I'm a really big sports fan,” said Jack.
After last year's disappointing season, those in the stands are ready for the fresh start.
“Super keen for this year. I think they're going to turn it around,” said Jackie Roy. “Hopefully we have a healthy Jeremiah Masoli for most of the season, we’ve got Nick Arbuckle from the beginning we got some great receivers and new receivers.”
“I'm looking for improvement,” said Jurchuk. “As long as I see improvement from last year I'll be happy.”
Grateful for the fan support, the players were also keen to get the season going.
“Even though it was raining we still had a great turnout. Love RNation,”said QB Jeremiah Masoli.
“To see them (the fans) in our stadium makes it feel like football is upon us,” said kicker Richie Leone.
The Redblacks host the Montreal Alouettes next Friday for a pre-season matchup. The home opener set for June 15 against the Calgary Stampeders.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.