CFL.ca Staff

The "One is all it takes" campaign depicts the commonality, sense of belonging, and excitement that the rookie CFL fan can experience by being a part of the action. CFL.ca spoke with Glen Suitor, who recalls his first CFL experience:

When I was young and living in Prince George, BC my father and I would travel the 500 miles south to Vancouver to see one Lions game every year. One of my first ever experiences was the Lions taking on Edmonton. I was sitting in the end zone seating called the Nalley’s Chips section; it was a promotion where kids just had to bring an empty bag of chips to get admission to the game.

I remember the atmosphere like it was yesterday, the thunderous crowd and sounds of a sold out Empire Stadium, the lights shining on the artificial carpet creating this grand stage, and the smell of summer and the PNE next door.

The Lions won on a last minute drive and Jim Young caught the winning TD pass. After the game the kids in our promotional section were permitted to run on to the field and shake hands with the players. As I ran across the turf, slapping the shoulder pads of these larger than life athletes, I ended up face to face with Young himself, the hero of the game. He looked at me, kneeled down and introduced himself, as if I didn’t know who he was, and asked me how I liked the game, and then handed me his chin strap as a souvenir.

That was the day I became hooked on CFL football. I liked the Lions and the Canucks because I grew up in BC, but that day in early August in old Empire Stadium I fell in love with the CFL.  The fast paced action, the on-the-edge-of-your-seat excitement, the big hits, and big plays, and a super star that took the time to say hi. It is almost 27 years later and I still have Jim “Dirty 30” Young’s chin strap.

Do you remember your first CFL experience? Is there a specific CFL memory that stands out in your mind? Submit your CFL fan experience and it could be selected to be posted on CFL.ca. Just email your CFL experience to fanbox (at) cfl (dot) ca along with a photo of yourself and check back throughout the week to see if it's been posted! Entries should be no greater than 250 words.