As we prepare to start the new REDBLACKS season, I just wanted to drop you a line to say thanks for being part of RNation. Your support made everything possible … the team, Lansdowne, TD Place, the Grey Cup victory and hosting the Grey Cup this coming season. Think about it for a second. We’ve accomplished so much in such a short period of time and changed the whole culture of our city.
Probably the greatest tribute I could pay to you, is to let you know that you’ve made the recruiting process for quality players much easier. When visiting teams come to Ottawa they hear you and feel the electric atmosphere in the stadium. It’s different than anywhere else in the CFL. And when players become free agents they hope they have a chance to come here and be part of RNation. That’s all you.
As we prepare for the start of this season, we’re also preparing to host the Grey Cup and Grey Cup Festival. Many of you in RNation have been to other Grey Cups in other cities and they’ll share how much fun they had, but I think ours is going to be the best ever.
Our Festival is centralized at Lansdowne. At other Grey Cups, you had to travel all over town to find the events you were looking for which is a problem when you’re a visitor. This year, fans from across the country can come to Lansdowne and celebrate with us. That’s why our motto is “RNation welcomes Our Nation.” It’s a national celebration of our game, our fans and our country that caps-off the Canada 150 sesquicentennial year. Perfect timing.
First things first. We’ve got quite a few talented new players on the roster that you’ll be getting to know real soon. Marcel Desjardins and his scouting staff have done a tremendous job on the recruiting side and I know Rick Campbell is looking forward to unleashing them on the opposition.
The biggest change this year is that Henry Burris has retired after leading us to the Grey Cup victory last season. He was such a phenomenal player and is such an incredible person. Henry is still and will always be part of RNation. He’ll have a leadership role with our new charity foundation and he and his family have made Ottawa their home.
Thanks again for making all this possible. We’ve done great things together and I have a feeling that even greater things lie ahead.
Jeff
