Toronto Maple Leafs differ in picks for the Eastern Final
TORONTO — Mike Babcock and Mitch Marner may be working towards the same goal on the ice but don’t expect them to be rooting for the same team when the Eastern Final kicks off at BMO Field in Toronto.
The sophomore forward with the Leafs has not hid his support for the Toronto Argonauts this season. A consistent attendee to the Argos’ sidelines and good friend of many of those who don Double Blue. there is little doubt who Marner will be cheering for come Sunday.
This guy knows a thing or two about rocking the (Double) Blue and White in Toronto. 🔵🔵#Argos #CFLKickoff pic.twitter.com/dly7R31Bws
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) June 25, 2017
What a start!! One down keep buzzing! @TorontoArgos
— Mitchell Marner (@Marner93) June 25, 2017
“I got to meet all those guys. I know them pretty well by now. The ones from Canada knew hockey pretty well,” Marner said of his friends on the Argos in an interview with the Toronto Star in September. “It’s exciting watching the work they put in.”
His coach on the other hand, has his allegiances elsewhere.
Mike Babcock on @CFL East Final: "I’ll be there with bells on. I’ll have my jersey out. I even told Larry Tanenbaum, ‘I know we own the other team, but #RiderPride has been my team forever.’ My daughter’s coming in for the game, we’re looking forward to going."
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 17, 2017
Mike Babcock will be attending @CFL East Final between @TorontoArgos & @sskroughriders but will be cheering for Riders in his jersey.
"I told Larry Tanenbaum I know we own the other team but the Green Riders have been my team for forever." #ArgosFootball #CFL
— Dave McCarthy (@DaveAMcCarthy) November 17, 2017
Earlier this month, Babcock doubled down on his love of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in a feature story with Sportsnet’s Donnovan Bennett.
In the sitdown at the Maple Leafs practice facility, Babcock and Bennett speak on everything from growing up a Riders fan, its importance on the community and the impact greats like George Reed and Ron Lancaster had on his life.
Read the full article here and see the entire feature below:
