Alouettes fans travelled from all over to rep their team during Grey Cup
CBC
Football lovers from across the country have flocked to Winnipeg this week to take part in Grey Cup festivities, including some hardcore Alouettes fans.
With kickoff for the game between the Als and the Saskatchewan Roughriders just hours away, let's meet some of the Alouettes faithful who travelled long distances — much longer than you might think — to rep the red, white and blue.
You'll get a sense of why they did it and how the country's football game helps them bond with their fellow Canadians and loved ones (even those who root for the enemy).
Barry Ryan and his son Kevin have been to the past 25 Grey Cups together. This is Barry’s 28th in all. And they have the patches to prove it!
So why come year after year when there’s no guarantee your team will even be playing?
“Just the camaraderie. Meet people over every year. The same people always show up. Doesn't matter who's playing. They're all here for a good time. We see people once a year and they go running over and give you a big hug," said Barry Ryan.
The father-and-son duo moved from Montreal to Toronto years ago, but their love for the Alouettes is non-negotiable. Kevin's outfit features a pin in the chest area that has ‘Argos Suck’ stamped in bold letters.
“Close to my heart,” he explains.
His daughter, Emma Ryan, isn’t a big football fan. This is actually her first time attending the Grey Cup. But she knows better than to cheer against her dad and granddad's favourite team.
“I'd be disowned if I wasn't. I like living at home, so….”
The black sheep of the family (or maybe the blue sheep?) is James Salverda. He was born in Winnipeg but now lives in Toronto. Neither the Argonauts nor the Blue Bombers are in the final this year, so is this a chance for him to finally cheer for grandpa’s favourite team?
“Absolutely not. No way.”
Salverda says he loves the city of Montreal, but there’s a limit.
“No, no, I can't cheer for Montreal whatsoever. It doesn't matter the sport; not cheering for them.”
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