Touchdown Atlantic an important game for the CFL

The CFL’s Touchdown Atlantic game has turned into a celebration of the sport as the league is fully coast to coast for a single week – and that provides some positivity for what may lay ahead.

“It’s huge. In terms of thinking about the future and thinking about expansion, it’s really important to embrace the region and I think we have done that the past couple of years,” said Saskatchewan Roughriders president-CEO Craig Reynolds. “It’s really good from an in-season signature event as well and, as we know, building events around our games are important as well.

“I think this is a really important event.”

The Riders and Toronto Argonauts are meeting in the game for the second season in a row Saturday. Huskie Stadium in Halifax will be the site of the game. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

The Argos won the 2022 edition 30-24 at Raymond Field in Wolfville, N.S. The teams were also set to meet back in 2020 in Halifax, but the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reynolds believes the strong support the Riders receive across the country makes them a perfect team to take part in the event.

“I think it’s well-known our fans travel so, so well. It is a sea of green in Halifax. I was walking around this morning and everywhere you go there are Rider shirts, Rider hats, Rider fans – it is just incredible to see the atmosphere here,” Reynolds said.

“I think our fans add to the atmosphere. They love the team so much, they love the CFL so much (and) they really embrace these types of opportunities to be a part of major events like this.

“It does have a Grey Cup-type feel here where our Rider fans contribute heavily to the atmosphere.”

While Rider fans may be feeling at home in Atlantic Canada, it is a true homecoming for Riders kicker Brett Lauther.

Lauther is from Truro, N.S., which is about 95 kilometres northeast of Halifax.

But while he’s excited to play in his home province again, the recent wildfires and floods in Nova Scotia mean Lauther knows football isn’t at the top of a lot of people’s minds there.

“A lot has happened out there with the fires and flooding and other tragedies out there as well. Thoughts and prayers to everyone out there,” Lauther said. “People are still missing and stuff like that as well.

“I’m personally excited to go home and see family and friends, but your mind is a little bit elsewhere with what is going on with everyone back home.”

Lauther said the province has gone through a lot over the years but the community members always rally around each other.

“A lot of good people out there try to help their neighbours and stuff as well,” Lauther said. “The football game is a little bit secondary right now, but hopefully for the people that need it, maybe it can take their mind off of things.

“Maybe it’s something that’s fun in Halifax and can kind of turn things around. It’s tough – I’m a little ignorant speaking on what is going on out there when I live out here now. I get lots of feedback from people back home so I don’t want to speak too much or pretend I know everything.

“(I’m) just trying to stay in touch with everyone and lift their spirits up anyway I can.”

Reynolds also hopes the game can provide some comfort to a region that has dealt with so much recently.

“(Hopefully) it allows them to focus on something different and enjoy a CFL football game,” Reynolds said. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected.

“It does allow people to gather and I think when you are going through some difficult challenges like that, sometimes just being able to gather and be a part of something special helps with the healing process.”