It was captured in dramatic fashion on a cold night in Regina. Almost five months later, the Toronto Argonauts gave some lucky fans a chance to relive that moment.
Almost 1,000 people were able to get their picture taken with the Grey Cup, taking advantage of an offer to season ticket holders to head down to BMO Field for one of the many perks fans receive when they become a part of the Membership.
Members were given the chance to reserve a specific time they could have their picture taken with the Cup. They checked in at BMO Club on the east side of the stadium where they could watch a replay of the win over Winnipeg; then make their way to the team’s locker room, where they lined up to have their picture taken by a professional photographer. The photos were then forwarded to them electronically.
For the Argos, it was a chance to thank their most loyal supporters. For the fans it was a chance to have their photo taken with a trophy that’s been handed out 109 times, with the Argos the recipients on a league leading 18 occasions.
For Nathan Martinak of Toronto it was the chance of a lifetime.
“It was my first time seeing the Grey Cup in person, it was a lot of fun.”
The 32-year-old Martinak brought two of his buddies to share in the experience. He’s been an Argos fan for the last “Three or four years” after returning to Toronto after spending a portion of his formative years in the United States.
“It’s super affordable, so I’m always down to come to a game,” he told Argonauts.ca moments after getting his photo taken with the chalice. “It started when I came to a couple of games and then I saw season ticket prices and said this is something I can afford, something that’s fun for eight games a year.”
He was thrilled with the championship and is even more pumped up about this year because of his favourite player’s contribution in the title game as well as his opportunity in 2023.
“I’m a big Chad Kelly fan,” he said with a huge smile. “It was great to see him get some time in the fourth quarter. Now let’s go back to back, I’m ready for it.”
Martinak is part of a younger generation that is discovering and enjoying Argo football. Jim Noble, on the other hand, has been attending games for a bit longer – he’s been a season ticket holder since 1982.
How loyal are he and his wife? They drove from their home in Lindsay to Whitby, grabbed a bite to eat, then took a Go Train from Whitby to BMO Field. It’s a 300 kilometre round trip that they make for every home game.
“It’s great,” he said, still smiling after their photos. “We bring people all the time; friends and relatives. They love it.”
He’s the kind of fan that teams dream about having. Noble has started a Facebook group for Argo fans in Lindsay and is starting a viewing party there for Argo away games at the One-Eyed Jack pub.
The organizer of Thursday’s event was the team’s Assistant Manager of Ticket Sales and Service Rob Richardson. He’s been with the Argos for their last four Grey Cup wins and in each instance was thrilled to be able to share the trophy with fans. This year he brought Canadian football’s Holy Grail to the homes of 109 fans, representing the 109th Grey Cup.
“I wanted to make sure that many members were able to see the Grey Cup,” he explained after the event had concluded. “We did the 109 visits, the players did a ton of stuff in the community, and I wanted to make sure that members had a chance to see it.”
The response was immediate and the reaction overwhelming. The photos began at 4:00 and there was a non-stop line for over four hours. Richardson said he saw fans gathering outside BMO Field at 1:30. The GO Train was well represented by Argo fans headed to the event, the overwhelming majority of them clad in Double Blue.
It wasn’t just the older fans either.
“The feedback in the locker room was amazing,” said Richardson. “They were so thankful for the opportunity. It was also great to see so many rookie Members, they were in awe of the access they got to the Cup.”
The team’s fan base is climbing. More and more people are experiencing the Argos and CFL football and are thoroughly enjoying it.
Events like Thursday night’s will only add to their enjoyment.