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#CFLDraft | The night that was

CFL.ca
@Carlos77Verde

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.

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.

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.

The REDBLACKS watch party in the nation’s capital sent up a strong round of applause for their first-round pick.

Hamilton took York product Nikola Kalinic at No. 10, and the reaction from his buddies was incredible.

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.

As BC GM Ed Hervey said: The Canadian draft means the season is fast-approaching!