Photo Credit: Grey Cup 2024/Facebook
Grey Cup festivities continue, ahead of the 111th edition of Canada’s biggest football game.
BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia will host the Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers Sunday night in a 6 pm EST kickoff.
It’s a rematch of the 2022 Grey Cup in which the Argos prevailed 24-23.
Three players that all either grew up or played high school football in Niagara will be playing in the game.
Toronto kicker Lirim Hajrullahu, who grew up in St. Catharines and attended Governor Simcoe High School, will be looking for his second Grey Cup with the double-blue after hoisting the trophy back in 2017.
Hajrullahu had a career best 90.2-percent efficiency rating after connecting on 55 field goals this season.
Johnny Augustine, a Notre Dame College (high school) graduate from Welland, is a running back and special-teamer for Winnipeg, while CFL All-Star this season Tyrell Ford is a defensive back with the Blue Bombers and will be trying to win his first Grey Cup.
Hajrullahu actually started his Canadian Football League (CFL) career in Winnipeg back in 2014.
“Winnipeg gave me an opportunity to be on this stage and because of that I’ve been able to propel my career and be here,” said Hajrullahu who’s actually kicked for four NFL teams before returning to the CFL this season.
“I’m grateful for that and their trusting me back then but I’m with Toronto and have to win it for our side.”
The Argos will be starting backup quarterback Nick Arbuckle after Chad Kelly broke his ankle in Toronto’s 30-28 Eastern Final victory over Montreal.
Enter Tyrell Ford and the Blue Bombers defense.
Winnipeg stopped Saskatchewan 38-22 in the Western Final, and Ford’s side of the field was barely targeted, something the AN Myer graduate hopes to change Sunday evening.
“A part of being a good DB (defensive back) is baiting the quarterback to throw your way, I’ve got to be better in that part,” Ford said. “I kind of felt like in that last game against Saskatchewan I didn’t get more than two or three targets, so that sucks”, said the defensive back while also praising teammates like Evan Holm for making plays when the targets go the other way.”
Ford had seven interceptions in the regular season.
Last but certainly not least in the three local connections playing in the 2024 Grey Cup is Augustine who will be looking for his third Canadian football championship.
Augustine, who carried the ball 27 times for the Blue Bombers this season and scored a career-high two touchdowns, is hoping to bring the Grey Cup back to the Rose City once again this year.
Winnipeg is the heavy favorite with Kelly’s injury.
It’s the Blue Bombers fifth straight appearance in the big game.
The Jonas Brothers are the halftime headliners.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
