The night began with fans and current players filtering into a number of draft parties around the country, while GMs and their teams trickled into war rooms in advance of the league-wide conference call.
Let’s get to work.#CFLDraft | #UniteInGreen pic.twitter.com/yh5UCVDo7s
— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) May 2, 2019
Picking at No. 1 for the first time in his managerial career, Argos GM Jim Popp made the selection then walked into a room of passionate fans ready to watch first-overall pick Shane Richards sign for the double blue.
With the first overall pick… pic.twitter.com/hpR19uWes7
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) May 3, 2019
🖊 @sr4shane #CFLDraft x #PullTogether pic.twitter.com/gWrQZhloyM
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) May 3, 2019
As the first round progressed, various schools from north and south of the border gave shoutouts to their drafted players — including one from the SEC.
Congrats, Jonathan! 👏 #PoweredByTheT https://t.co/l1GaNaidNm
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) May 3, 2019
The REDBLACKS watch party in the nation’s capital sent up a strong round of applause for their first-round pick.
First round feels 🙌#RNationDraftParty reacts to the announcement of @AlexFontana1995 joining the squad.#CFLDraft pic.twitter.com/sABZwr73nh
— Ottawa REDBLACKS (@REDBLACKS) May 3, 2019
Hamilton took York product Nikola Kalinic at No. 10, and the reaction from his buddies was incredible.
The Reaction: Draft Day Nikola Kalinic!!!! @CFL @NFLRT @NFL pic.twitter.com/Aqqklg2Lad
— Ђошло (@IAmDjole) May 3, 2019
The friend freakouts continued into the later rounds, as Kerfalla Exume’s teammates freaked out when the DB was selected by Winnipeg at No. 70.
It was a big night for the players, general managers and football ops staffs involved — but also a night for fans to spark new hope for their team’s future.
@CFL #draftparty with my sports partner in crime pic.twitter.com/9loGN2jpRy
— Jamie Pistilli / (@JamiePistilli) May 2, 2019
Welcome to Toronto Shane! @TorontoArgos Argos Draft Party! #CFLDraft #cfl #arrrrgggggoooos pic.twitter.com/eCjjW7C3AT
— Katie Taylor (@sinksships) May 3, 2019
There’s no better way to spend #CFLDraft night than with a few of your closest pals. 🎉
Thanks to all of the season seat holders that came out to our annual Draft Party (@InsuredWithMIB)! pic.twitter.com/js3au8WW0y
— Hamilton Tiger-Cats (@Ticats) May 3, 2019
As BC GM Ed Hervey said: The Canadian draft means the season is fast-approaching!