The Grey Cup a Family Tradition: Celebrating North America’s Oldest Professional National Championship

Family traditions like watching the Grey Cup

The Grey Cup takes center stage as the crisp air signals the start of Canadian football’s ultimate showdown. This annual championship of the Canadian Football League (CFL) has become more than a sporting event; it’s a cherished tradition steeped in history and infused with memories for fans across the country—including me.

A Brief History of the Grey Cup

The Grey Cup was first awarded in 1909, a donation by Governor General Earl Grey to recognize Canada's top amateur football team. Over time, the competition evolved, and by the 1950s, it had cemented itself as the pinnacle of professional Canadian football.

 The Grey Cup has also delivered some unforgettable moments, from the infamous "Fog Bowl" in 1962 to the recent thrillers that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

It’s all about the Passing Game

One defining feature of the CFL, vs the NHL, is its emphasis on passing. Several factors make this style a necessity—and a joy to watch:

• Field Size: The CFL field is larger than the NFL’s, measuring 110 yards long and 65 yards wide. This expansive space creates more opportunities for passing plays and dynamic offence.

• Who Needs 4 Downs?: With only three downs, CFL teams must gain yardage more quickly, favouring high-stakes passing strategies over the grind-it-out ground game seen in the NFL.

• Gameplay Rules: Features like the 20-second play clock and the 12-player roster encourage a faster-paced, wide-open style of play, which can lead to thrilling aerial displays and dramatic comebacks.

A Personal Tradition: Watching with Dad

For me, the Grey Cup isn’t just about the game—it’s about the memories. Every November, my father and I would gather to watch the championship, no matter where life took us. It became our ritual, complete with snacks, heated debates over game strategy, and laughter at the colourful halftime shows.

Sideline Soap Operas: Dad’s Lip-Reading Superpower

My dad had a secret talent: he could lip-read, though he didn’t reveal it to me until much later. During Grey Cup games, he’d quietly watch the coaches yelling at refs after bad calls, chuckling to himself. I thought he was analyzing the game, but he was really decoding sideline soap operas. 

When he finally told me, he laughed, “Oh, the coach was calling the ref a blind... well, let’s just say it wasn’t polite.” Now, whenever I see a coach losing it, I imagine my dad grinning and muttering, “You wouldn’t believe what he just said.”

Those Sundays were about more than football; they were about connection.  Our last Grey Cup together was in 2022, and though my dad is no longer here to join me, the tradition lives on. Watching the game now feels like carrying a piece of him with me, a tribute to the connection we shared through Canada’s greatest sporting event.