April 19, 2011
Edmonton Eskimos
Rose Mary Phillip
There are fans and there are fanatics. “O-Zone” definitely falls into the latter category.
If you’ve sat in or near Section O at Commonwealth Stadium in recent years, you’ve likely seen (and heard) them. Headquartered in row 65, O-Zone, as they call themselves, is made up of 40 enthusiastic fans led by season ticket holders Peter Machado, his brother Matt Machado and Matt’s roommate Jay Ferguson.
Their goal: To lead the Eskimo Empire.
“We want O-Zone to be in Edmonton what the Box J Boys are in Hamilton or the Booze Brothers in B.C. or Dave in Toronto,” says Matt.
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| Matt Machado with the Box J Boys from Hamilton |
Their quest finds them at every home game, every Labour Day Classic and every Saturday night Eskimo/Stampeder matchup in Calgary. Once a year, they also take a road trip to one away game outside Alberta.
Last year, they travelled to Moncton for Touchdown Atlantic. (Random O-Zone Fact #1: Matt and Jay struck up a conversation with Esks’ returner Tristan Jackson and wide receiver Kelly Campbell on a Moncton street after Jackson noticed Matt’s jersey).
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| The boys on their way to Moncton for Touchdown Atlantic in 2010 |
In 2009, they cheered on the Esks at Rogers Centre in Toronto and at Vancouver’s BC Place in 2008. In fact, they’ve unofficially represented the Eskimo Empire in every stadium in Western Canada and a few in the east. On September 16, they’ll follow the team to Hamilton.
“The CFL atmosphere is amazing. The fan culture is so unique,” says Jay. “You cheer for league first and your team second.”
Whether home or away, O-Zone cheers loud and proud.
The clamour begins with a clap. As per O-Zone tradition, every section occupant gets applauded as they walk up the stadium stairs and head to their seat. It continues until the last person arrives to a clapping crowd of 40 or more.
For the ten 2011 home games, the boys plan to carry on this tradition and a few others they’ve cultivated throughout the years. Here’s a crash course:
After every first down, O-Zone chants “Move those sticks.” Not once – three times. And, of course, you must yell “high school football” after every touchdown. Siren sounds are highly encouraged.
Don’t forget the Fight Song. Seriously, learn the lyrics because you’re only allowed to read the Jumbotron during pre-season. If possible, sing next to a fan of the visiting team.
And the most important O-Zone tradition? Fun. Good, clean family fun.
“We’re not ‘those guys.” says Matt. “We never make personal attacks on anyone, just their team and what’s going on on the field. (Random O-Zone Fact #2: At away games, they’ve had beer poured on them and threats of bodily harm – not cool).
O-Zone is as visible as it is loud.
“We decided that if we are going to do the some of the stuff we do up there we have to look stupid,” says Matt whose game day costume includes an Eskimo jersey with the letters “BRRRVVV” (a siren sound and inside joke), a highly coveted spray-painted hard hat and yellow shorts. (Random O-Zone Fact #3: After spending two years trying to find yellow shorts in five provinces, Matt bought his online from the Green Bay Packers). If it’s cold out, he’ll add knee-high green socks.
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| And here they are with the Grey Cup |
Jay, who has been attending games since he was four-years-old, wears a yellow lei, an Eskimo jersey with “Section O” and the number 65, knee-high striped socks and yellow shorts (Random O-Zone Fact #4: Jay recently and easily found yellow shorts during a routine trip to the mall). Last year, Jay’s costume received some attention when he played the Wendy’s Build-a-Baconator halftime game.
Peter wears yellow Under Armour, an Eskimo jersey that reads “Wide Right” with the number 11 and green socks.
And the pièce de rèsistance? A Section O pin the boys commissioned and personally funded. (Random O-Zone Fact #5: Each game, they give a special pin to the Section O fan who most closely guesses the game’s attendance without going over).
If you don’t sit in Section O, go there anyway to get your free pin at seats 17 – 19. And wear it proudly because you’ll be in good company; pin alumni include MP Rona Ambrose, Minister of Defence Peter McKay, CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon, TSN’s Brian Williams, Mayor Stephen Mandel and Stadium Host Chris Scheetz.
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| Matt Machado with Minister of Defence Peter McKay |
Make no mistake, there is more to O-Zone then just a party.
These boys know and love the game. Self-proclaimed “hard-core” CFL fans, they have stats, scores and more readily available at the tip of their tongue. (Random O-Zone Fact #6: Matt and Jay played football for Austin O’Brien High School alongside Esks’ Offensive Lineman Gord Hinse).
So, next time you find yourself at an Eskimo game, stop by Section O. The fact that these boys could gather several dozen fans to represent O-Zone in the 2010 Grey Cup Parade speaks for itself. Of the over 30 thousand people who cheer on the green and gold at Commonwealth Stadium, O-Zone might just be among the most fanatic (Disagree? Tweet us your fan story @cfl_esks).