November 21, 2018

GC Quote Board: Stand out statements from Wednesday

Walter Tychnowicz/CFL.ca

EDMONTON — The 106th Grey Cup Festival is alive and well in Edmonton as Wednesday opened up with the annual Head Coaches’ Press Conference.

From there, both teams traveled to the campus of the University of Alberta for their first practice leading up to Sunday’s championship game.

After a busy day, we’ve gathered a collection of some of the most memorable quotes from the day.


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Stand out quotes from the 106th Grey Cup Head Coaches’ Press Conference

“I really, truly believe I am Canadian, not by birth certificate but by choice. I’ve lived up here for 22 years, I got a Canadian wife, two Canadian kids, and Calgary’s home.”

Dave Dickenson on feeling like a Canadian by choice.

“The Jonathan Rose situation, because I was flying all day yesterday and it was kind of a whirlwind. Anyways, if he’s – when he – that he’s eligible to play in this game because of how the whole process is working is we will – we will use him and have him play in the game, and I’m going to stay away from commenting on it, and our team’s going to stay away from commenting on it”

Rick Campbell on the Jonathan Rose suspension and appeal.

“I’d rather be known as a soft-spoken, mild-mannered guy. I’m a competitor. I want to win. I think most people that are successful in life have to have a little bit of an edge. I’ve actually driven up this road a lot lately. I got kids, and it seems like we’re always in Edmonton for sporting events. Been on record in saying in Calgary I’d like to have a little better facilities. And I get very jealous when I come to Edmonton and see all the sport facilities, including this place right here. It’s a great – to me, it’s a sports town. It has great tradition.”

Dave Dickenson on recognizing Edmonton as a sports town.

“Well, I will say that obviously Edmonton’s been a big part of my life, and I definitely have a love for this city and always will and, you know, know a lot of people in this city, and it’s been great to me and great to my family.”

Rick Campbell on the City of Edmonton being a big part of his life.

“My dad’s not as famous as Rick’s and hasn’t won as many championships, but was a football coach, a teacher. I think we have similar backgrounds. For us – for me, at least – a lot of the groundwork was laid by Huff and Wally Buono. Those are two guys you want to follow and at least try to emulate, try to do things similar to what they did. They’re winners, so it was easy for me.”

Dave Dickenson on learning from past coaches.

Stand out quotes from the Ottawa REDBLACKS’ press conference

“You have to refresh yourself on what they like to do, what their tenancies are, what they’ve been doing lately, and balance it with what they did against you earlier in the season. We’ll take a look at all the game they’ve played this season. We know they’ll give us some looks they haven’t shown as well.”

Trevor Harris on facing Calgary for the first time since July.

“I think in general, across the football, offensive lines aren’t talked about enough because the game — simply put — is won up front. If you’re able to get pressure with four, you’re going to neutralize any passing game, any run game.”

Trevor Harris on offensive lines being underrated in football.

“You don’t hear coach Rick (Campbell) talk about himself very much. He’s completely about the team and what we’re doing. I think his track-record speaks for itself — taking over an expansion franchise and three out of the four seasons, coming out of the East is awesome. He’s making a great name for himself — quietly. ”

– Trevor Harris on Rick Campbell quietly making a legacy for himself.

“I don’t need any added motivation for this game. This is something that you dream about when you’re a kid — you want to have your name etched in history and be a part of something special. That’s what this opportunity is. I haven’t really thought about the fans from Calgary, but they don’t call me the Happy Bird. I’m fine with people not liking me. I play better when I’m angry.”

– Kyries Hebert on his reputation with fans across the league.

“The city of Ottawa pretty much saved my football career.”

– Kyries Hebert on returning back to where his CFL career began.

Stand out quotes from the Calgary Stampeders’ press conference

“I remember in ’15, we had a lot of injuries to the O-line. I think we had like one or two guys new guys in that West Final — he still played his heart out. This year, dealing with new receivers — probably the second important position for a quarterback to be familiar with, and for him to still put up the numbers that he put up and lead us to No. 1 in the West — it means something.”

Eric Rogers on why Bo Levi Mitchell deserves to be the MOP.

“We were Grey Cup champs last year, except for three plays”

Bo Levi Mitchell on what killed the Stamps chances of a championship last year.