Doug Flutie defends CFL
Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:51 pm
Flutie waves the Canadian flag
Worried about Bills playing in Toronto
CanWest News Service
Published: Wednesday, October 31, 2007
TORONTO -- Not every U.S. citizen feels the prospect of an NFL franchise playing in Toronto on a permanent basis is a good idea.
But Doug Flutie admits he has a special bond with Canada from his days terrorizing CFL defences as a quarterback for the Lions, Calgary Stampeders and Toronto Argonauts.
"A lot people in the States thought I was Canadian, the way I waved the flag for Canada," Flutie said.
And he was still doing the same thing for Canada last week after he had become the first American to be inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.
Despite the belief of the Buffalo Bills that Toronto is more economically viable, which has fuelled their push to play games north of the border in the future, Flutie isn't so sure there's enough money to support both the NFL and the Argos.
"It would have a definite negative effect on the Argos," said Flutie, now an ABC college football analyst.
"I don't know if this city could afford an NFL franchise on a year-round basis. A game or two here and there? Yeah, we would all jump on the bandwagon. It's a blast. But week-in and week-out? That's an expensive ticket.
"For it to be a success, that place would have to be sold out every week, not just for an exhibition game once or twice a year.
"It could happen. But I love the CFL, and I wouldn't want to see it leave Toronto."
The NFL has said the Bills' plan is a necessary step to enhance its brand in southern Ontario and secure its long-term viability in western New York. Skeptics, however, suggest this is the first step in an eventual relocation by Buffalo.
"To bring a franchise here, just give it some consideration before you do something like that because you're probably displacing a legacy of Argonauts football.
"If [the Argos and the NFL] played head-to-head, as much as Canadians love what is Canadian, there is an infatuation here also with the NFL. I think if you put a dent in the franchise in Toronto, it would hurt the [CFL] overall."