August 6, 2018

Riders Fan Does CFL Alberta Tour

Saskatchewan Roughriders fan Erin Petreny went on the roadtrip of the season in Week 8, stopping through Edmonton and Calgary on a two-in-one CFL fan tour.

It was a trip that came together through #CFLFamily connections on Twitter, and went off without a hitch as Petreny (@erin_petreny13) watched the Eskimos and Stampeders live on their home turf.

Petreny with members of the @EskEmpirePod. (Erin Petreny photo)

“The long story of it is, Michelle and Chantelle are big Edmonton fans, (and) came to the season opener in Winnipeg,” explained Petreny, who lives in the ‘Peg. “I had met them through The Grind, on Twitter, and I met up with them and they said if you’re ever in Edmonton, we have a ticket for you and somewhere to stay.

“I took them up on it, (and) asked the people of Twitter if I should just go to Calgary, ’cause it was right there and I’d never been.”

Petreny with Eskimos fan Roy Wallace and the Grey Cup prior to Thursday Night Football. (Erin Petreny photo)

The trip was a whirlwind — Wednesday flight from Winnipeg to Edmonton, Thursday game, a Friday morning bus to Calgary, then a flight home on Sunday — but well worth it.

“It’s definitely worth it, the fans are so welcoming,” said Petreny. “I’m a Rider fan, but more importantly a CFL fan. Everyone is welcoming everywhere you go, so definitely take the trip.”

No matter the team, nor city, it’s all smiles in the stands. Bonus points for the retro hat! (Erin Petreny photo)

Many of Petreny’s football friends were made from the vibrant CFL Twitter community, which mirrors the friendly in-person one with its unique personalities and genuinely great people.

“I met a lot of them through Twitter, it’s been a great platform for the CFL family,” explained Petreny. “Of all the sports I’ve ever followed, they are the best, kindest people ever. It’s a family, (and) it’s so good to be a part of.”

Petreny met Stampeders Don Jackson (left) and Folarin Orimolade (2nd right), along with retired all-star Jay McNeil (right), in Calgary. (Erin Petreny photo)

In addition to the two football games — an Eskimos win over Saskatchewan, and a Stamps victory over BC — the chance to meet other CFL fans in-person and share the experience of a game was special.

“I’ve talked to them on Twitter for the longest time, and some of them I’d met at Grey Cup last year, but otherwise I didn’t know a lot of them,” continued Petreny. “This was my second time meeting Michelle and her family, (and) just meeting everybody and chatting football with them was the highlight.”

Chalk it up as one more example of how incredible the #CFLFamily is.


 

Petreny with Michelle Wallace (@MishkaFerrari), the Eskimos fan who helped make the trip a reality. (Michelle Wallace photo)