Respect for the cfl in the states

[1971GreyCup]

My son and I enjoy CFL football and enjoy traveling across Canada and through the Staes.

We spent last weekend at a high school football camp in Oklahoma. Paradoxically, we found more respect for CFL football and CFL football players there than here in Toronto. Chalkboard talk really dug deep on the complexity of our 12 man game. They know every Oklahoma football player in the CFL. Respect!

This is not unusual. We've visited dozens on NCAA schools and their football Halls of Fame include both NFL and CFL alumni. All ADs can tell you the active alumnis playing in both leagues. Someone has to get this point across to casual football fans that the CFL is full of special and talented players from both sides of the border.

The fact that Canadians play in the CFL is irrelevant to the quality of the CFL. The previous tight end and previous punter in Seattle will tell you how well Canadians can play this game.

I wonder whether it would be valuable for the CFL to interview the following NCAA coaches about opportunities and difficulties their graduating athletes face in breaking into the CFL.

Nick Saban, Alabama.
Urban Meyer, Ohio State.
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan.
Gary Patterson, TCU.
Bob Stoops, Oklahoma.
Dabo Swinney, Clemson.
David Shaw, Stanford.
Mark Dantonio, Michigan State.