bellagiobob
Registered User
- Jul 27, 2006
- 23,247
- 56,603
Too funny-- and the thing was that Corey Colehour was not a great QB (or even a good one) but the football club was still the talk of the town everywhere --no matter how bad those Eskie teams were in the 1960's. It's before I went to the games but what an entertaining time it was and the thing was that everyone in the city knew the players--quite often on a personal basis. Sadly, in the last five years I rarely hear anyone discuss the CFL around the water cooler.
It wasn't just the EE that were known to people in the city. When Jim Young, "old dirty 30" came to town the Journal was full of articles about the guy and the whole town hated him but of course loved to see him play because he was just so good. Ditto for Lancaster/Reed and a young Joe Theisman who played 3 years in the league.
Of course its hopeless nostalgia but I think this is why many fans have resisted the name change--it's not just the name change itself but rather a sense of loss for the club and a time that seemed an integral part of the Edmonton scene. Part of that era where Edmonton was referred to as the "Gateway of the North"--- I always thought that was a cool and enchanting image.
Perhaps those times can return but to be honest I think the page has been turned. It's Dreamsville to think you can go back but again the end of the "Eskimos" carries a dark feeling for many-- perhaps ultimately the loss of youth.
Well said. The Eskies were the only game in town at that point, and were pretty much worshipped by fans. Many of the players lived here year round, and you got to know them thru community events. I’m fine with the club trying to expand their fan base, as long as it’s done in the right way. If there are younger fans who legitimately want to become Elks fans (very weird to type that), and would like some tweaks here and there to gain their interest, have at er. I’m not fond of the group that openly mocks the CFL, says it sucks, and demands all kinds of changes before they will try out a game or two. They can get bent. Keep enough of what keeps the old guard interested, and incorporate enough to entice new fans, and hopefully the league can keep going for a few more generations.