The Calgary Stampeders attempted to return to some sort of normality at McMahon Stadium on Sunday under unusual circumstances.
After the CFL and CFL PlayersB次元官网网址� Association broke off negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement Saturday, the union directed players from seven of the leagueB次元官网网址檚 nine teams to participate in a work stoppage. However, players with the Stampeders and Edmonton Elks reported to their respective camps on Sunday since they wonB次元官网网址檛 be in a legal strike position until later this month, as per AlbertaB次元官网网址檚 labour laws.
B次元官网网址淲e shouldnB次元官网网址檛 be out here right now,B次元官网网址� said Stampeders linebacker Jameer Thurman. B次元官网网址淭he rest of the leagueB次元官网网址檚 on strike.
B次元官网网址淲e voted to be on strike as well, but the Alberta laws are a little bit different, so weB次元官网网址檙e required to be out here but we stand with the PA and everything. Hopefully we can get this resolved and get back to playing football.B次元官网网址�
The leagueB次元官网网址檚 last labour agreement, reached in 2019 and amended last year to allow the league to stage a 14-game campaign, expired at midnight Saturday.
The lone previous CFL strike came in 1974. The labour situation was resolved before the start of the season that year.
ItB次元官网网址檚 unclear when the CFL and CFLPA will resume negotiations to work on a new agreement.
According to Derek Wiggan, CalgaryB次元官网网址檚 union representative, he and his teammates have faith that a deal will get done before the Stamps would be in a legal position to join the strike action in a few days.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l go through the process and then on Wednesday weB次元官网网址檒l see what happens,B次元官网网址� said the defensive lineman, whoB次元官网网址檚 entering his seventh season with the Stamps. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really hopeful. We trust in our bargaining team. I know theyB次元官网网址檙e going to get us something good, so itB次元官网网址檚 just a matter of getting it done by Wednesday.B次元官网网址�
Head coach Dave Dickenson is also optimistic that a deal will get done. He said he and his staff can go about preparing Calgary for its first pre-season game on May 28 when the Stampeders are slated to host the B.C. Lions.
B次元官网网址淓verybody has that extra buzz right now,B次元官网网址� Dickenson said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been all looking forward to get 2022 started. And I tell the guys (theyB次元官网网址檙e) going to want to be here this year, because weB次元官网网址檙e going to have a heck of a year.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to do some things B次元官网网址� weB次元官网网址檙e going to have fun, and weB次元官网网址檙e going to play winning football. And I think our guys have bought in because theyB次元官网网址檙e excited to be here.B次元官网网址�
Dickenson liked what he saw from his group of returning players and rookies when they took to the turf on Sunday morning.
B次元官网网址淭he energyB次元官网网址檚 good,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he positivityB次元官网网址檚 there. The players are committed. Coaches are excited to see what weB次元官网网址檝e implemented (and) whether we can get that communication to the players and take care of the details.
B次元官网网址淎lso, thereB次元官网网址檚 decisions being made in three days as far as who makes the team and who doesnB次元官网网址檛, so we control what we can control.B次元官网网址�
Despite all the unknowns with how the labour situation will pan out, veteran quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell said it was great to be back practising with his teammates.
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B次元官网网址淭he locker room feels awesome because guys are just excited to be back playing football,B次元官网网址� said Mitchell, who acknowledged that outside factors have complicated matters somewhat. B次元官网网址淥bviously, the players, we want a deal done because we want to be here playing football when it comes to June. As fast as that can happen would be great.
B次元官网网址淚t would be awesome to know that all the other teams are out there practising as well. Right now, for our mindset, is at the minimum right now weB次元官网网址檝e got three days of practice, so weB次元官网网址檙e going to go out there and focus on that.B次元官网网址�
Despite his insistence that training camp shouldnB次元官网网址檛 have started amid the labour strife, Thurman decided to make the most of a bad situation.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just good to be back out here going over the plays and learning the system again,B次元官网网址� said Thurman, whoB次元官网网址檚 expected to be one of the leaders on defence again this season after serving as a team captain last year. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always had to step up since IB次元官网网址檝e been here.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always known that a lot of people consider me a leader on this defence, so itB次元官网网址檚 the same thing. NothingB次元官网网址檚 changed. I still expect to perform at a high standard and bring guys along with me.B次元官网网址�
THE CANADIAN PRESS
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