The upcoming Grey Cup match between the Montreal Alouettes and the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday presents an opportunity for the Alouettes to attract new fans, according to Alexandre Gagne, the team’s special-teams captain. Gagne believes that Winnipeg Blue Bomber fans, despite their loyalty to the Bombers, are unlikely to support the rival Riders due to deep-rooted animosity between the two teams. Having previously played for the Riders before joining the Alouettes in 2021, Gagne hopes that Bomber fans will rally behind Montreal in the championship game.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who were eliminated in the CFL East Division semifinal by the Alouettes, will still have a strong presence among the 32,343 fans at the sold-out Princess Auto Stadium. Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander expressed appreciation for the warm reception they have received in Winnipeg, with local fans showing support for the visiting team.
Despite the intense rivalry and history between the teams, Alouettes’ third-string quarterback Shea Patterson, who has connections to the Roughriders, remains optimistic that Bomber fans may choose to back Montreal in the Grey Cup clash. Patterson, who was briefly with the Bombers’ training camp earlier this year before returning to the Alouettes, holds no grudges and looks forward to the game.
Additionally, players like Montreal’s Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund and Darnell Sankey are gearing up for the game by donning face paint to get into a competitive mindset. Sankey, known for his unique face paint designs, views it as a way to mentally prepare for the battle on the field. Adeyemi-Berglund, seeking his first CFL title, emphasized the importance of focus and discipline in facing the experienced Riders led by quarterback Trevor Harris.
As the excitement builds for the Grey Cup showdown, both teams are gearing up for a fiercely contested match in front of a passionate crowd in Winnipeg.
