November 2, 2011
Rose Mary Phillip
ESKS.com
When ESKS.com began compiling the top 10 moments of 2K11 the task seemed impossible. How could we pick just 10 in a season with so many standout moments? So, we asked you, the Eskimo Empire, to tell us your thoughts. You took to Twitter and Facebook to say it better than we ever could. Check it out, see if your comments made the list and tell us what you think on the Facebook fan page or via Twitter @cfl_esks.
10. “Shut up and play football.”
In September, a Lions’ player called out the Eskimos for alleged dirty play following a brawl at the new BC Place that saw running back Jerome Messam ejected from the game. The melee alone was enough to make the list, but Head Coach Kavis Reed’s response was priceless. “I don’t care … Football is a gladiator sport.” Click here to see what else he had to say.
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| Head Coach Kavis Reed |
9. “The club coming together with an almost new team and head coach to have a season that wasn’t too shabby!” J.J. Jackson, “proudly an Eskimo since 1971.
Not only did they come together, they defied expectation. Messam was named Top Canadian five times and is on pace to have a 1,000-yard season, which would make him just the 11th Canadian in CFL history to do so.
The powerhouse receiving corps of Fred Stamps, Adarius Bowman and Jason Barnes racked up 2,940 collective yards under the steady hand of Ricky Ray. Pretty impressive when you consider they sat out several games due to injury – at the same time!
The list of players out-performing expectation goes on and on. Marcus Howard (A.K.A. Mr. Deadlocks), Weldon Brown, Damaso Munoz, Donovan Alexander, Jason Armstead, Gord Hinse (A.K.A. the helmet-less wonder), Rod Davis, Julius Williams and J.C. Sherritt are just a few of the major contributors.
“I am very proud of how the team and coaches were able to keep the players thinking positive. GO ESKIES GO,” Karen Smith.
“Oh and the best part of this season is Kavis Reed/Eric Tillman making our Eskimos respectable again. We’re finally back to Eskimo football. And, for this, Kavis Reed and Eric Tillman, I’ll be renewing my tickets for sure,” Richard Beaunoyer.
“My old teammate and good friend was chosen to take the reins and bring back the Eskimo tradition to the greatest franchise in the CFL. A close second would be when he hired the guy I snapped footballs to every day as his offensive coordinator. Great job guys! Once an Eskimo, always an Eskimo!” Jim Cooper, Edmonton Eskimo 1998, 1999.
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| Game Day host Chris Scheetz on Thanksgiving |
8. The new game day experience
For the first time, every home game was themed. With those themes came some goodies. During the Ladies Night game, a lucky fan walked away with a one carat diamond ring from Paris Jewellers. Giveaways also included backpacks, bandanas and other swag.
Along the way, the themes gave us new insight into some of our favourite players. If it wasn’t for Game Show Night, we may never know that receiver Andrew Nowacki is an avid Wheel of Fortune fan. Had it not been for the Labour Day Rematch, defensive back Chris Thompson‘s superior snow cone making abilities could have eluded us.
7. The Cheer Team winning big in California.
The Eskimo Cheer team proudly represented the green and gold at the 2011 USA College Camp in Anaheim, California this past August. They garnered the Top Team Award, Superior Award, Spirit Stick Award and several Spirit Star ribbons. Cheer team member Lynae earned a Top Individual honour. Nicely done.
6. The trick punt return … fake punt … fake field goal
Coaching this season has been clever to say the least. If football is a chess game, special teams occasionally switched to checkers and dominoes to keep opponents guessing. Offensive and defensive trickery put Ws on the board too. Click here to watch Anatomy of Play videos to find out what the players were thinking during these game changing moments.
“O.M.G,” our collective scream.
5. Launch of the iPhone app
In September, the launch of the team app connected the Eskimo Empire with the green and gold on the go. With the touch of a button, live scores, breaking news, feature videos, a complete roster listing and much more entered the palm of our foam-fingered hand.
“By far the most beautiful sports app I’ve seen … I love knowing that I can keep up with scores, listen to the game and the cheer team page is awesome,” Kim. App Store Review.
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| The Esks wore the “W” logo of the Grande Prairie Warriors on their helmets. |
4. Honouring the victims of the Grande Prairie car crash.
To honour the memories of four teenagers killed and one critically injured in a car accident in Grande Prairie, the Edmonton Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders announced the clubs would wear helmet decals with the logo of their team, the Grande Prairie Warriors, for the final two regular season games.
“What a classy act …” Kevin Fischer.
“As a resident of Grande Prairie and a 20-year Eskie season ticket holder, I would like to thank the Eskimo organization for their kind gesture,” Susie Meyer.
“Amazing way to honour these boys,” Gillian Graham-Huisintveld.
3. “Starting the season out at 5 – 0. I think that made a statement telling the rest of the league that the Esks are back. Watch out,” Chuck Neuman
It began with a 42 – 28 victory over Saskatchewan. The headline read “Esks storm into Mosaic, shock the Riders at home.” That game, Barnes caught two touchdown passes on back-to-back drives. Bravo. The next week, newspapers reported “Lightening strikes: Esks trounce Tabbies.” Sure did. 28 – 10. Messam racked up 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
As the Esks outscore their opponents 153 – 99 in the first five weeks, a clear theme emerged: “Esks remain perfect in win over Lions,” “Battle won: Esks beat Stamps remain perfect” and “A perfect comeback: 5 – 0 Esks sink Boatman.”
“They looked like the champions from their dynasty days,” Sandy Smith.
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| The Esks wore pink on Oct. 21 to raise awareness for breast cancer. |
2. The day the green and gold went pink
On October 21, the Eskimos beat the Toronto Argonauts 31–24 wearing pink wristbands, gloves and other apparel. It was part of the league-wide CFL PINK weekend to raise awareness of women’s cancers.
“Great job to the entire CFL. Guys, it takes a brave man to wear pink,” Jennifer Lucky.
“My mother, Damon Duval’s granny, is a breast cancer survivor. Damon, you were very manly in your pink & you wore it so proud!!” Cynthia Lindenmuth.
Just a few weeks prior, the 4th Annual Eskimo Women’s Dinner raised nearly $60,000 (thanks in large part to a $10,000 donation from Telus). Funds went to the Edmonton Eskimo Women’s Ovarian Cancer Research Endowment Fund that supports ovarian cancer research at the Lois Hole Hospital for Women.
1. “The second we win the GREY CUP BABY,” Terrance Lee.
Six months ago, a playoff run was just a pipe dream. The Empire was cautioned: This is a rebuilding year; Be patient. No need. The Eskimos are in a three-way tie for first with a home playoff game on the line this Friday when they host the Saskatchewan Roughriders. It’s not so farfetched to think the Eskimos will bring the Grey Cup back to the City of Champions for the 14th time. Go Esks!