The 99th Grey Cup, the Canadian Football League‘s championship game, takes place this Sunday, November 27, 2011.
This year BC Place Stadium will host the game. Unfortunately the half time entertainment is provide by Nickelback. The home-town BC Lions will be facing the Winnepeg Blue Bombers!
Canadian Football and American Football share a pedigree, and mostly follow the same rules. Some of the difference:
- The field in Canadian football is 110 yards long and 65 yards wide, not the 100 yards by 53⅓ yards used in American football.
- Canadian football plays 3 downs, not 4.
- In Canadian football all offensive backfield players, except the quarterback, can be in motion when the ball is snapped.
There are other differences too, but these are some of the most obvious to American football fans. As a casual observer (I grew up watching American football but have only watched maybe half a dozen Canadian football games in my entire life) my take is that the Canadian football game is faster paced and higher scoring and there is more passing of the ball and less running. Compared to the NFL, CFL football players are smaller and faster. I don’t care much for gridiron football, but if I had to choose between NFL and CFL I’d go Canadian every time.
Where to watch in Portland
Again this year the Canada America Society of Oregon has organized a viewing of the game at Macadam’s Bar & Grill (5833 SW Macadam Ave). Meet at 3pm, kickoff is at 3:30pm. Poutine may make a special appearance on the menu!
Please leave a comment below if you know of other spots the catch the game in Portland!
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