During these dog days of summer, you’re likely missing football. With about a month to go before the NCAA kicks off and NFL training camps just under way – there’s quite some time before you can feast your eyes on meaning football. That is unless, you follow the CFL. The CFL or Canadian Football League offers gridiron-starved fans an alternative to a summerless football. Here’s 4 more reasons to give the CFL a go:
1) Lots of talent
From Warren Moon to Doug Flutie to Jeff Garcia to Ricky Williams to Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson – there’s probably a player who has played in the CFL whose name you’re familiar with. Beyond that, there’s lots of talent coming from both the NFL and NCAA to the CFL. On the flipside, there are many NFLers who got their start in the CFL. Chargers’ SS Dexter McCoil and Saints’ DB Delvin Breaux are two active NFL players who were stars in the CFL. What’s most intriguing is the heaps of former NCAA players that fill large chunks of the CFL rosters. For example, here’s University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajun product Kyries Herbert making a huge block:
2) Singles make things fun
A single or “rouge” as it is often referred to, is one way in which the CFL game differs from the NFL. When the ball becomes dead in possession of a team in its own goal area or when the ball touches or crosses the dead line or goal sideline – the kicking team gets a point. So basically, punts and missed field goals that are grounded in the endzone or go through endzone count for 1 point. We think this 108 yard (yes you read that right, bigger fields in the CFL) punt deserves at least a point…
3) 3 downs instead of 4
Having one less down means that CFL offenses tend to be throw-heavy. With more passes, comes more opportunities for amazing catches like this one…
4) Different rules, still great football
We’ve talked about bigger fields, rouges and fewer downs – but these are just a few of the differences between the two games. Being a fan of one league doesn’t mean you can’t be a fan of the other. With your summertime football-less, why not take the time to learn a new league and enjoy some new and unique rules? You might find this video confusing now, but maybe someday you’ll understand it…
