Jamie Nye: Sam Hurl’s story reminds us CFL has it right with ratio

This week — among news of a pandemic, protests and back-to-work plans — Sam Hurl announced his retirement from the Canadian Football League.

Hurl was never an all-star and got limited opportunities to be a starter after being taken in the second round of the CFL draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders back in 2012.

But Sam Hurl is indicative of the heartbeat of the CFL, those Canadian players who give it their all, become leaders and accept their role even though it may not be a prominent one.

I hear all the time that the CFL should get rid of the ratio and allow more Americans on the field because the perception is it would be a better product.

I disagree. Any change to the product would be minimal.

The Canadian Football League making it easier for players like Sam Hurl or Neal Hughes or Mike McCullough to have lengthy careers is good for Canadian football at all levels — U Sports, junior, high school and minor football.