AU Fiction: CFL-USA - A different telling.

[TheMatthew25]

"First time writing here, this was my story on another site that will be taken down soon. I really hope you guys enjoy it and I really want to see this story continue to the end."

CFL Alternative History​

1992, after two seasons of play, the NFL came to a conclusion. They decided to shut down the World League of American Football due to the cost of operations. The news came hard to the owners of the US teams. Most of the teams, including the NY/NJ Knights, Sacramento Surge, Birmingham Fire, and the San Antonio Riders, felt like it was a stab in the back by the NFL. Then it came, The NFL dropped the US teams to focus on the European Market instead. While the Ohio Glory decided to close up shop due to low attendance, two owners had a backup plan.

Fed up by the NFL, two of the owners, Larry J. Bensen (San Antonio Riders) and Fred Anderson (Sacramento Surge), met together with the CFL President Larry Smith. The CFL was starting to gain some attraction in the United States thanks to the exhibition matches played in the US. Smith knew it would bring his league to a new golden age. The CFL has always been under in the NFL shadow. It was time for them to step up and be the real alternative to the NFL. Larry Smith allows the two owners teams, Sacramento Surge, and San Antonio Riders, to join the CFL by 1993 season.

When news spread that the CFL would accept the Riders and Surge, four other owners wanted in. Montreal Machine owner Roger Dore wanted to join as well. Fans in Montreal missed the Alouettes since their sad departure before the 1986 season. Despite the Machine good attendance, they were never as good as the Alouettes attendance when the team was good. The other teams asking to join were the NY/NJ Knights, Birmingham Fire, and the Orlando Thunder.

The Knights owner Robert F. X. Sillerman wanted to stay in the WLAF and keep the organization going. When his prayers were not answered by the NFL. He asked the CFL if they could join. Some CFL owners thought it was a bad move if the team stayed in New Jersey. So they would only allow the team to stay in the Knights relocate to Hartford where they wouldn't compete against the NFL New York Giants and Jets. Robert F. X. Sillerman, the owner of the Knights, agreed and relocated the franchise to Hartford and play at the Hartford Memorial Stadium, then home for the Connecticut Huskies football team.

The Birmingham Fire also asked to join as well. Despite several attempts in bringing a team to the state. The last professional team that Birmingham, Alabama had was the Stallions of the USFL. Despite the popularity of football in Alabama and having a stadium that can hold the NFL team, Legion Field. The people of Birmingham never gained the team they hoped for from the NFL. With the Fire kicked out overnight in favor of making the WLAF a European league. This made it clear that the CFL was the only option to keep the team alive. The last team that joined was the Orlando Thunder. Orlando wanted in the NFL along with Birmingham. The only pro team they held was the USFL Orlando Renegades, but by 1986, they were gone along with the USFL itself. Also feeling betrayed by the NFL. They also asked to join for the 1993 season.

With six new teams joining the league. The CFL held a press conference announcing the new teams joining. Sacramento Surge and San Antonio Riders would change their identities for the new league. Birmingham Fire and Orlando Thunder would stay the same. They would also allow the Montreal Machine to adopt the Alouettes name to become the new Montreal Alouettes and announced that the WLAF Knights would move from New Jersey to Hartford, Connecticut to become the Hartford Knights. CFL also made a new rule change for the 1993 season, something that would mark the end of the first Canadian football rule tradition. The end zone would be shrunken down from 20 yards to 10 yards match the American football rules and to make it fair for the new stadiums to match each other.

This press conference caused a stir in the sports world. The National Football League was confused by this but decided they didn't have much to worry about the CFL Expansion. In their eyes, they saw them adopting the teams to their league. Jerry Jones even laugh at the thought of the CFL becoming a “Big Boy League”. In Canada, die-hard fans called it the beginning of the end of the CFL. Criticizing the fact they are accepting new “American’ teams that were the minor league to the NFL, also criticizing the new variant of the CFL logo as “cheap”. However, this wouldn't deter the CFL from entering their new golden age.

1993 CFL Season:

Eastern Division:
Toronto Argonauts
Montreal Alouettes
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Ottawa Rough Riders
Hartford Knights
Orlando Thunder
Birmingham Fire​

Western Division:
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
San Antonio Texans
Saskatchewan Roughriders
BC Lions
Sacramento Miners
Calgary Stampeders
Edmonton Eskimos​

 

[TheMatthew25]

-1993 CFL Season-
​

The season was mostly an experiment by the CFL that turned out to go better then they thought? Despite the Canadian teams had the edge playing the rules they knew, the new American teams were holding strong with new rules. Before the season begone, The San Antonio and Sacramento teams held a fan contest to choose a new name. For the former San Antonio Riders of the WLAF, they became the Texans. While in Sacramento, the Miners where the name they chose from the old WLAF name. However before the season began in July, the NFL San Francisco 49ers sued the CFL due to the Miners nickname, luckily for the CFL, the court threw out the lawsuit and the team kept the name.

The CFL also looked to air games for the US market, While a deal with ESPN was announced, the Grey Cup finals were to be shown live on CBS. This would send shockwaves, CBS was a loyal NFL station for decades. However, the NFL was looking to branch out to the new network owned by Rupert Murdoch, the Fox Network. CBS, deciding to take a long shot with the CFL, would air the championship, and depending on how well it worked out, would sign a contract with the league.

-Final Standing-

East Division:
1. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2. Orlando Thunder
3. Ottawa Roughriders
4. Montreal Alouettes
5. Toronto Argonauts
6. Birmingham Fire
7. Hartford Knights

Western Division:
1. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2. BC Lions
3. Edmonton Eskimos
4. San Antonio Texans
5. Saskatchewan Rough Riders
6. Sacramento Miners
7. Calgary Stampeders​

The Eastern Division was a bit more competitive then what most CFL analyst and fans had thought at the time. The new US teams were holding their own against the CFL teams. Despite this, only the Orlando Thunder made the playoffs for the East Division US teams. Hamilton continues off from last year second place finish to capture the Eastern title. Ottawa surprised their fans with a playoff appearance too along with the returning Alouettes. The Montreal Alouettes have been somewhat dubbed a miracle team by the press. Managing to give the Tri-Cats their first loss in a 20 to 27 nailbiter win over them in Olympic Stadium. The attendance this season has been a huge improvement since their last season in the WLAF.

As for the bottom three, Toronto and Birmingham did try to stay competitive during their games, but the Argos managed to win one more game then the Fire. Despite being a standout for the Fire in the old league, coach Chan Gailey was fired by the team. Jack Pardee, former coach of the Houston Oilers, was announced as new head coach. Hartford, on the other hand, wasn't looking so good. Despite keeping the plays they had from the WLAF days, they lost their QB Todd Hammel to injury and his sealed the fate for his team.

The CFL Western Division, which is usually a one to two team show, was mostly the Texans show starring everybody else. They remained unbeaten until week 15 where they lost, to the Orlando Thunder in the Orange Bowl. Despite the loss the newly renamed Texans where mostly a group of rookies as they lost some of their star players from the 1992 WLAF Season. However, aided by their new star Full Back Warren Hudson, formerly a Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he led the team to the playoffs along with QB Mike Johnson. They were pretty much untouchable this season.

Meanwhile, the BC Lions managed to grab second place from Edmonton Eskimos. BC was aided by QB Danny Barrett, who was their saving grace for the rest of the season. Edmonton was happy to grab the third place, Winnipeg, who was favored to win the division at the beginning of the season, only managed to grab fourth place. Sacramento and Saskatchewan were plagued with injuries during the season that cost them. As for Calgary, the 1992 Grey Cup champions were doomed from the start, after Doug Flutie got injured after week 8, this would end up ending the season for the Stampeders.

1993 Playoffs

East Division Playoffs:
Hamilton Tiger-Cats -07
Ottawa Rough Riders -27
---
Orlando Thunder -27
Montreal Alouettes -14​

Pride and Joy came from Ottawa, they have gotten their revenge from last year playoff heartbreaking lost from Hamilton. They started strong and stayed strong. This was a surprise win for Ottawa and brought fans back to watch their games. Meanwhile in Montreal, the same can not be said for the Alouettes as they would fall to the Thunder. Despite the loss, the Alouettes were still cheered as heroes and still made the fans happy after all. For Orlando, despite College Football starting few months prior, the Thunder were still the top team to watch in the city. Fans still came out and watch the team play and enjoyed the new style of game.

West Division Playoffs:

Edmonton Eskimos -21
San Antonio Texans -34
----
Winnipeg Blue Bombers -17
BC Lions -14


​

San Antonio Alamo Stadium was lit up with the excitement of their team being in the playoffs. The game with the Eskimos could be summed up with one word, insane. It was the Run and Shoot affair as both teams were battling out to be the dominant team. However, the Texans would survive the match and advance to the West Division Championship game. Meanwhile, Winnipeg would also survive the game with the BC Lions in front of a sellout crowd in the BC Place.

East Championship Game:

Ottawa Rough Riders -27
Orlando Thunder -07​

In the Eastern Championship game, the Rough Riders were playing like they were in 1976, the last time they were in the Grey Cup. Just like the Ottawa/Hamilton game, the eastern riders wherein control of the game and defeated the new American team. Ottawa ended their Grey Cup appearance drought, they waited to see who they will face in the grey cup.

West Championship Game

San Antonio Texans -10
Winnipeg Blue Bombers -21​

Winnipeg and San Antonio faced off for the Western Championship game. Despite the Texans dominance during the season and the semi-round, San Antonio would fall from grace and lose to the Blue Bombers. Setting the stage for a Grey Cup game for the ages.

1993 81st Grey Cup Final:
McMahon Stadium: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Attendance: 50,035

Winnipeg Blue Bombers -10
Ottawa Rough Riders -17​

In front of a sell out crowd in Calgary McMahon Stadium. Ottawa was named the Cinderella team, first Grey Cup appearance since their win over the Western Riders in 1976. Despite both teams offenses being on point. It was a battle of defenses as Winnipeg and Ottawa had a hard time scoring. It wasn't until the fourth quarter when the game started to pick up. Tied 3-3, Winnipeg Mike Richardson scored the first touchdown of the game, making it a 10-3 lead for the Bombers. However, Ottawa would come back with their own touchdown with 5 minutes left in the game. 10-10 was the score with 2 minutes left. Nigel Levy, a product of Western Ontario, would be the deal breaker for Winnipeg as they would score the next touchdown needed for the Roughriders. The Blue Bombers with one minute left would try to score a last minute TD to send the game to overtime. However, former Tennessee Defensive Tackle Paul Yatkowski would be the saving grace for Ottawa. Intercepting the pass to Richardson to seal the game and the Grey Cup for the Roughriders of Ottawa.

Ottawa was the 81st Grey Cup champions of Canada but also the world. The game would be televised in the United States by CBS. The CBS rating was good enough to enter talks with the league for a contract. CBS would later lose the NFL NFC coverage to the upstart Fox Sports. However, CBS knew this for some time and needed another league to cover without the NFL. CFL was there in the right place and right time. With the CFL becoming the new niche football league that was gaining steam. The league would announce they were looking for expansion for the 1996 season.

 

[TheMatthew25]

"Last story post from the other site, after this I will continue here and only here. Hope you people enjoy it."

CFL Offseason 1993-94
​

The 1993-94 offseason was a time of change in the Canadian Football League. With a new deal in place, the league sign two new television contracts in the United States for the 1994 season. First was with CBS and the other with ESPN. The CBS network decided to give them a four-year contract. Along with the deal, CBS also gave the CFL a bit of insurance for when they decided to expand. CFL held an expansion committee to see what cities would be a good home for a CFL team. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Roughriders and their fans were living on cloud nine. They finally ended the cup drought that plagued the team since 1976. They were finally back on top in the Canadian Football League. While they were celebrating in Ottawa, in Hartford, the Knights were looking to rebuild after a rough first outing. Signing new players during the offseason, including signing Earl Winfield from Hamilton to help their offense.

During the CFL Draft, the first with US teams, Hartford would select T Chris Burns from Portland State. Toronto would select Jamie Bennett from Fresno State. And the Hamilton Tiger-Cats would sign OL Val St. Germain from McGill University. Unsuprisaly, the defending champions Ottawa Roughriders and West Division San Antonio Texans were considered the champions of the offseason. Both teams would keep most of their roster from last season and would only add a few tryouts. San Antonio would even try out a player named Kurt Warner. Though they would cut him before the season.

With news spreading about the CFL in the United States. ESPN would showcase highlights of classic CFL events on the new ESPN2 network to help educate the new American fans to the game of Canadian Football. CBS would also hype the league American teams by doing promos before the season on the local stations and thought the nation about the CFL teams.

While interest was growing. Fans were still cautious about the new league. The NFL enjoyed the 1993 season while getting ready for their offseason. They would announce their expansion cities, Charlotte, NC, and Jacksonville, FL, for the 1995 season. They also announced the relaunch the WLAF in Europe as NFL Europe. With the money they gained from the new TV deal with Fox, they would add two new teams in Hamburg, Germany and Edinburgh, Scotland. The Edinburg team were dubbed the Scottish Claymores and the Hamburg team was named the Sea Devils.

In NFL relocation news, The two Los Angeles teams, Rams and Raiders, have been a discussion for a new stadium with the city. The Rams failed to secure a deal with the city of Anaheim and announced relocation for either the 1995 or 1996 season. The Raiders are looking to leave their stadium (Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum) and return to Oakland.

Besides the issue with the returning WLAF, College Football was a side issue for the CFL. Since the College Football season starts midway into the CFL season, it did cause some fans to leave the CFL for a while. While most US team owners sign a deal with the college teams to let them play in the stadiums. Some were stubborn, like in Birmingham. However, the Fire managed to do well, Selling tickets to the point that the stadium's owners sided for the CFL since it the only pro league in town.

 

[TheMatthew25]

1994 CFL Season

CFL Standings:

East Division:
1. Ottawa Roughriders
2. Birmingham Fire
3. Montreal Alouettes
4. Toronto Argonauts
5. Hartford Knights
6. Orlando Thunder
7. Hamilton Tiger-Cats​

​

West Division:
1. Edmonton Eskimos
2. Sacramento Miners
3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
4. San Antonio Texans
5. Calgary Stampeders
6. Saskatchewan Rough Riders
7. BC Lions​

The season was a wild affair for the CFL East and West Division. In the east, the Eastern Riders were on the move. Capturing first place near the end of the season. While the Birmingham Fire, with CFL star QB Matt Dunigan, scored their first playoff berth in the CFL after climbing from fifth place to grab second during the last week of the regular season. The Montreal Alouettes also returned to the playoffs this season and the Argos grabbed the last spot in the East. Hartford improved from last season while both Orlando and Hamilton both fell from grace from last season. The West Division was a battle of between Edmonton and Sacramento. Edmonton returned to form from last season, capturing the West title without many issues. Sacramento managed to improve from the prior season and with a returning David Archer. They seized second place in the standings. Also aiding them was the fact that Winnipeg lost their last game of the season to the Stampeders and a returning Doug Flutie. Despite the loss, Winnipeg grabbed the third place over San Antonio.

1994 Playoffs:
East Division Playoffs:

Montreal -24
Ottawa -21
----
Toronto -07
Birmingham -31​

The Eastern Playoffs started with Montreal and Ottawa battled it out on a cold evening in the nation's capital. Both teams were battling it out for the chance to continue onward to the Grey Cup. In the end, Montreal score a last minute field goal to win the game and their first East Championship appearance since 1980. For Ottawa, there was no repeat from last season, their season had ended. Meanwhile, down at Legion Field. Fans of the Fire witness their team destroying the Argos on home turf. The Argonauts, who were riding high after a 5 game winning streak near the end of the regular season was utterly defeated by the Fire in front of a sellout crowd.

West Division Playoffs:

Winnipeg -17
Edmonton - 27
----
Sacramento -36
San Antonio -24​

Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Edmonton Eskimos would trade equal blows during their game. Surprising, like in Ottawa, the Bombers would fail to capture the win from the Eskimos. Edmonton would deny Winnipeg the chance of continuing onward. While that was happening, the Miners and Texans were battling it out in an old fashion shootout. San Antonio would end up losing the game to Sacramento. However, Sacramento QB David Archer would be sidelined for the next game due to injury.

Eastern Championship Finals
Olympic Stadium
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Birmingham -24
Montreal -10​

In front of a sell out crowd in Olympic Stadium, Montreal would be considered the favorite to win. CFL purist was hoping that Birmingham would lose the game to the Alouettes. It wasn’t the case. Despite ending the first quarter with a 10-3 lead, the Fire lit up the stadium and scored three touchdowns in the third quarter. While the Alouettes would try to take back the lead. The Birmingham Fire would stonewall them to end the game on their terms. Birmingham would become the first team south of the border to punch a ticket to the Grey Cup game.

Western Championship Finals
Commonwealth Stadium
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Sacramento -13
Edmonton -21​

Edmonton head coach Ron Lancaster knew a thing or two about winning championships. However, the last time Edmonton won a title was in 1987 with Joe Faragalli as the coach then. Lancaster did win titles 1966 as part of the Saskatchewan Rough Riders but as a player. As for Kay Stephenson, when the team was part of the old WLAF as the Surge, they won the 1992 championship. The Eskimos would capture the West Division title from the Miners, despite a last-minute heroic comeback from Sacramento.

CFL 82nd Grey Cup Finals
BC Place Stadium
Attendance: 55,097
U.S. Broadcast: CBS
Canadian Broadcast: CBC

Birmingham Fire -21
Edmonton Eskimos -28​

BC Place Stadium would serve as the first CFL Grey Cup Finals between Canada and the United States. More or less dubbed the Battle of North & South by fans and the media. Birmingham first-year coach, Jack Pardee, this was his first time being in a championship game. Unlike Eskimos coach Ron Lancaster, Birmingham had the CFL 1994 MVP, Matt Dunigan. Dunigan would have a career season with the Fire. Lancaster team was powered by Defensive while Birmingham was power by a Run and Shoot style.

The game went back and forth between the two teams. Until the third quarter, it seemed to be anyone game. However, Eskimos would score a last-minute touchdown in the 3rd Quarter to give the Eskimos a 21 to 14 lead over Birmingham. Things were going their way until midway through the quarter. Birmingham would tie the game up and it seemed the game would be sent to over-time. However, that wasn’t the case as Edmonton Eskimos WR Eddie Brown helped scored a last touchdown in the game in the five-minute mark. While the Fire tried to catch back up to Edmonton, it was all for not and the Eskimos win their first Grey Cup since 1987

Despite not winning the cup, Birmingham did win fan support in America. The rating for the 1994 Grey Cup was a nice improvement over last year.CBS made the decision on helping the CFL and the league has found a new home in the United States. Things are about to look up for the CFL, it was time they had their time to shine.

 

[TheMatthew25]

CFL 1994-95 Off-Season
​

The CFL second year with US teams ended pretty well. Despite the Fire failing to capture the cup, the City of Birmingham fell in love with the team and help laid plans to renovate the “aging” Legion Field.
Around the CFL, the news of US expansion hit the sports world as the first city to be announced was the city of Baltimore, who will begin play in 1996. Baltimore lost its NFL team in 1983 due to relocation. The Colts play from 1952 to 1982, winning 3 NFL Championships and Super Bowl IV in 1970. Then owner, Robert Irsay, moved the team after a deal with Indianapolis, Indiana was made. Baltimore did sue the team but lost the court battle. Rumors suggested the team will be horse team and might revert to the old Colt naming but only time will tell.

The other cities still in the running are, Shreveport, Louisiana, Memphis, Tennessee, and Las Vegas Nevada. Another city, Portland, Oregon failed to secure the funding and dropped out.

During the CFL Draft, the San Antonio Texans selected WR Kevin Reid from The University of Guelph. They also signed QB Steve McNair from Alcorn State, away from the Houston Oilers. (Also seen as a sign from the people of Houston that the Oilers might be leaving). Ottawa would sign LB Stefen Reid from Boise State. DB Mark Lawson from Western Ontario would sign to the Grey Cup champions, Edmonton Eskimos.

Meanwhile, the NFL expansion cities, Jacksonville, Florida and Charlotte, Carolina, will debut in 1995. the Jaguars and the Panthers have already stocked up on talent for coaching and managers. While in Houston, the Houston Oliers are not looking that good. Rumors began that the Oilers might pack up shop and move. One source suggested that Bud Adams (Team owner) talked with the mayor of Nashville, Phil Bredesen, for the team to move by the 1998 season. Though things are not set in stone. Another big thing is the relocation of the NFL Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Raiders. While the Rams have announced plans to relocate to St. Louis by 1996 season (The reason for the delay was to wait for the new dome stadium to be built). The LA Raiders announced they will wait to see if the city of Oakland will help them built a new stadium so they could move back to their old stomping grounds.

In the European front, the first new season of the NFL Europe will start on April 8, 1995. The teams competing in the league are:

1995 NFL Europe Teams:
Barcelona Dragons
Scottish Claymores
London Monarchs
Frankfurt Galaxy
Hamburg Sea Devils​

While there were rumors of a team in Amsterdam being thrown around, it was announced that they will expand to include them in 1996 season to balance out the schedule. Playing a twelve week season, the World Bowl will still be the championship game for the league. The two other World Bowls would be tossed out by the NFL due to the rouge North American teams leaving for the CFL.

 

[TheMatthew25]

1995 CFL Season

1995 Standings

Eastern Division:
​

1. Ottawa Rough Riders​
2. Toronto Argonauts​
3. Hartford Knights​
4. Birmingham Fire​
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats​
6. Montreal Alouettes​
7. Orlando Thunder
   ​

Western Division:
​

1. Edmonton Eskimos​
2. Sacramento Miners​
3. BC Lions​
4. Calgary Stampeders​
5. Saskatchewan Roughriders​
6. Winnipeg Blue Bombers​
7. San Antonio Texans
   ​

​

The 1995 CFL season started with the announcement that an Investment group in Shreveport, led by Jamie Howard, was granted the franchise over Portland. Oregan. The team was dubbed the Pirates and will debut in Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana for the 1996 season. Meanwhile, rumors of the Baltimore team being dubbed the Colts died in a courtroom as the NFL held on to the name. The team changed its name to the Stallions to avoid confusion.

The Eastern Division has been the resurgence of the Ottawa Rough Riders. Since 1993, they continue to be the top team of the CFL East. Toronto, who debut a new logo and uniforms during the offseason, made a big impression and capture second place. In a surprise placement in the East standings, the Hartford Knights found their first playoff berth in the CFL since joining. Birmingham captures fourth but had a rocky start, the managed to stay on top of Hamilton who by week 15 was in fourth place until two losses kick them back to fifth. Montreal also fell from grace as they would win their last 3 games to top Orlando in the standings. The Alouettes would also say goodbye to Olympus Stadium as they will move to Molson Stadium for the 1996 season.

With the Western Division. It was a tight race to say at least. The Eskimos managed to grab the first place midway through the season. Sacramento managed to hold on and so did a revived BC Lions and Calgary Stampeders. In a shocking turn of events, San Antonio would fall from grace and lad themselves last place in the West. Coach Mike Riley was let go after the end of the season after a falling out with management.

1995 Playoffs

Eastern Semi-finals:

Hartford Knights vs Toronto Argonauts:​

Toronto Argos had the better record but this season they lost all the regular season matchups with the Knights. Here proved to be the case as well. Hartford hit hard and it showed, despite a strong show by QB Robert Dougherty, Hartford managed to win with confidence.

Hartford 24 - Toronto 07


Birmingham Fire vs Ottawa Rough Riders
​

The fans jammed pack Frank Claire Stadium in droves in support of their 1993 Grey Cup champs. Birmingham, who had a taste of the Grey Cup finals, wanted more. It was an all-out affair and it showed. Despite this, Birmingham would survive the shootout. Despite the loss, the Rough Riders now had a bigger problem and it would rear its head during the offseason.

Birmingham 34 - Ottawa 27

--------

Western Semi-finals

Calgary Stampeders vs Edmonton Eskimos
​

Despite Calgary best effort to remain in the game. the Eskimos were just too much and ended the hopes and dreams of the Stampeders in front of a sold-out Commonwealth Stadium.

Calgary 13 - Edmonton 34


BC Lions vs Sacramento Miners
​

In a surprising good contest, BC would win its first playoff game in years as they finished off the Miners in a close battle. The last point was a rouge given to the Miners.

BC Lions 17 - Sacramento 15

--------

Eastern Finals

Birmingham Fire vs Hartford Knights

Attendance: 15,000

Broadcast: CBC (Canada), CBS (USA)
​

The city of Hartford was on fire to see the Knights make it to the first All-American CFL Eastern Finals. Despite the high regards, the stadium was showing its age badly. Memorial Stadium was built in 1962 as a College Football Stadium first and it showed here with CBS and CBC having issues showcasing the game. Even the fans wanted more and carried signs calling for a new stadium for Hartford. Despite the stadium shortcomings, the game itself was a battle of the run and shoot style and the air raid style of both Birmingham and Hartford respectively. However, Fire QB Matt Dunigan would prove to be a valuable weapon for the team and would help Birmingham scripture their second East Division title.

Birmingham 41 - Hartford 31

--------

Western Finals

BC Lions vs Edmonton Eskimos

Commonwealth Stadium

Attendance: 42,388

Broadcast: CBC (Canada), CBS (USA)​

Despite much hype the BC Lions had during the lead up to the game was for not. Edmonton pretty much exploited their defense and put the end to BC chances to the Grey Cup. Setting up the stage for a rematch.

BC Lions 10 - Edmonton 36
​

---------------

83rd CFL Grey Cup

November 19, 1995

Birmingham Fire vs Edmonton Eskimos

Taylor Field

Attendance: 52,064

Broadcast: CBC (Canada), CBS (USA)
​

Here was a rematch that many thought wouldn't happen again. The Eskimos and the Fire battling once again for the CFL trophy. While Edmonton was the likely favorites to come back, Birmingham was the underdog team coming in. And just like before, it was a battle of good offense and good defense. Despite the closeness of the game. which by the fourth quarter was still tied 7-7, the game could have gone either way. Despite this, Birmingham made a new star for the CFL. During the second play of the quarter, QB Matt Dunigan was hit hard by an opposing player and left the game due to a broken leg.

In his place was Reggie Slack, who was a journeyman player who was picked up by Birmingham before the season started. Despite being rusty for a bit. he would help his team get to the 10-yard line of the Eskimos before scoring a touchdown to make it a 14-7 game. The Eskimos tried to tie this game up but by the end of the quarter. Reggie Slack became a legend in both Birmingham and in the CFL as he helps the Fire capture the CFL Grey Cup. The Birmingham Fire became the first CFL US Grey Cup Champions. Reggie was then rewarded MVP for the win.

Birmingham 14 - Edmonton 07​

Birmingham win over the Eskimos became the most watch CFL moment in the United States. The rating for the fourth quarter was higher than the first two championship games broadcast on CBS since their start two years prior.

CFL was finally on cloud nine and the CFL would announce they were getting ready for the expansion draft for their two teams. However, a problem happened. The NFL Cleveland Browns announced out of nowhere they would relocate to Baltimore and become the Ravens. Out of nowhere the city of Cleveland and the CFL was thrown under the bus. And the CFL would have to deal with it head-on.

 

[TheMatthew25]

CFL 1995-96 Offseason Report
Part 1​

News spread around the North American sports scene. NFL long-standing franchise Cleveland Browns are relocation to Baltimore for the 1996 NFL Season. Apparently, Browns owner, Art Modell announced it before the end of the regular season. Sports insiders called out the NFL for doing this as a backstabbing stunt to hurt the CFL hype and to ruin the relationship to the people of Cleveland, Ohio. Due to this, the NFL and Art Modell and anyone associated with the plan relocation were sued by the City of Cleveland in court.


Meanwhile, the CFL was in panic mode. With this out of nowhere relocation by the NFL. they felt betrayed by the actions. They would announce after afterward that they would relocate the CFL planned franchise, Baltimore Stallions, to another city while things were still being figured out. Baltimore Stallions owner, Jim Speros, was in talks with other cities like Portland for them to host the Stallions. However, City of Cleveland mayor, Michael R. White, would contact Speros about a move to Cleveland.


CFL Commissioner, Larry Smith, would agree with the move. On January 30, 1996, the Baltimore Stallions pack up shop to Cleveland to become the Cleveland Stallions. The City of Baltimore would also add to their lawsuit against the NFL and Art Modell for the naming rights of the Browns back to the city which Art refused to.


Cleveland would be more accepting to the Stallions then in Baltimore as people felt that the CFL would keep the team in the city, unlike the NFL. Despite the age of Cleveland Stadium, it was a good site to hold the game. Even the MLB Cleveland Indians owner, Richard Jacobs, would also lend a hand and allowed the Stallions to play there if the Stadium wasn't up to standards for the CFL. Which it wasn’t. The stadium was old and was falling apart. However, plans for a new stadium, which the city agreed on before the Browns left, would be re-suited for the CFL standards.


However, another problem was rearing its ugly head. Ottawa Rough Riders owners, Bernard Glieberman and his son Louie, were losing money fast in Ottawa. Despite winning the championship in 1993, the team was in debut the last two years and 1996 was no exception. The reason was due to the NHL expansion back to Ottawa and reforming the Senators. The talked to the Larry Smith about the relocation of the team but the commissioner refused so. However, it was becoming clear to Smith they might need to relocate soon and fast.


Meanwhile, in Louisiana, the Shreveport Pirates were in a rut as well. Despite the stadium, they are using is in good shape. The city, however, was a bit smaller then what the CFL was hoping for. Not helping that the ownership group, Shreveport Sports LLC, were a bit shady to say at least. Jamie Howard, owner of both the Shreveport Sports LLC and the team, did try to rest the calm folks of Shreveport about the issues.


After the CFL Expansion Draft, which saw Shreveport Pirates scoring both OL Mike Pimisken and TE Jason Dunn from Eastern Kentucky. Meanwhile Cleveland, they really didn’t many players as they managed to keep some players from the Browns relocation who didn’t want to play in Baltimore. They did sign S Eric Austin from Jackson State to help their defense which was struggling hard in the Browns last season.

Teams for the 1996 CFL Season:

Eastern Division:
Cleveland Stallions*
Ottawa Rough Riders
Hartford Knights
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Orlando Thunder
Montreal Alouettes
Birmingham Fire
Toronto Argonauts

Western Division:
Shreveport Pirates*
San Antonio Texans
Saskatchewan Roughriders
BC Lions
Edmonton Eskimos
Calgary Stampeders
Sacramento Miners
Winnipeg Blue Bombers


* = Expansion teams for 1996

-Probably do the news around the NFL and such as a different post for now on. Look forward to and have a grey day.-​

 

[TheMatthew25]

In Other News:​

Besides the relocation of the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore. Art Modell announced he would rebranding the team to create a new identity in wake of the lawsuit by The City of Cleveland. Deciding to go with the Ravens nickname. The new team, Baltimore Ravens, were pretty much a new team with a new legacy to build from the past. However, one person was upset by the idea. Johnny Unitas, Baltimore football legend from the Baltimore Colts, had enough of the new team and what they did. Johnny would distance away from the Ravens as he did to the Indianapolis Colts a decade prior. Instead of giving the CFL and the Stallions his support. He was criticized by the fans of the new team but was praised by critics and the CFL for his support.

The other big relocation story was the Los Angeles Rams moving to St. Louis to become the St. Louis Rams. This move wasn’t as badly hated compared to the other one. It was still heartbreaking as LA fans were used to two teams. The Raiders, however, managed to score a good deal with the city of angels. Instead of moving back to Oakland, the Raiders will remain at the Memorial Coliseum for two to three more years until a new stadium will be built. In case the stadium plans fail to happen.

Meanwhile for the Oilers fans in Houston. This was to be the final season with their beloved team. Bud Adams Houston Oilers announced they would move their team to Nashville to become the Tennessee Oilers. However, due to the Cleveland relocation fiasco, the NFL forced Bud to keep his team in Houston for another season. The fan was calling for the head of Bud Adams. However, little could have been done to save the Oilers, despite a good start in the 1990s, by 1995, they were washed up and losing cash. The moved was to help keep the Oilers legacy around longer but now still in Houston, the team was the most hated thing in the city.

With that all happening, NFL Europe was doing pretty well. They added the Amsterdam Admirals to the league to fix the schedule conflict from last season. This year World Bowl was played in Scotland as the Scottish Claymores defeated the defending champs Frankfurt Galaxy to win the “second” World Bowl in front of their fans in Murrayfield Stadium.

NFL Europe 1996 Standings

1. Frankfurt Galaxy
2. Scottish Claymores
3. London Monarchs
4. Hamburg Sea Devils
5. Barcelona Dragons
6. Amsterdam Admirals

 

[TheMatthew25]

"Due to how the regular season played out, this season would be split in two. Here the season for 1996 and I will have the playoffs done soon."

1996 CFL Season
​

Standings:

Eastern Division:

1. Birmingham Fire
2. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
3. Montreal Alouettes
4. Cleveland Stallions
5. Toronto Argonauts
6. Hartford Knights
7. Orlando Thunder
8. Ottawa Rough Riders

Western Division:

1. Calgary Stampeders
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders
3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
4. Edmonton Eskimos
5. BC Lions
6. Sacramento Miners
7. San Antonio Texans
8. Shreveport Pirates

The CFL Western Division was wild compared to the East. For starters, the Stampeders returned back in the first place spot after years of wandering around the bottom. Doug Flutie playing at his best in years. The Western Riders also saw them doing better this season. Winnipeg and Edmonton battled it out for the final two spots for the playoffs. The only Canadian team not to make it to the playoffs where the BC Lions. The surprise to CFL fan was the fact that the three US team made up the bottom three. Sacramento and San Antonio at the end of the season would fire their coaches.

In Shreveport, the Pirates were considered a massive flop. Not only they failed to win any games till week 9, but the team also had the worst record in the CFL in the 1990s. Fans were also unhappy by their performance and left the final game of the season that ended in a blowout from Calgary. CFL started to take notice of this. Shreveport Sports LLC president Jamie Howard would try to keep things calm in Shreveport. Promising to the city that they would improve for the next season. However, some of the CFL owners, including Fred Anderson (Sacramento Miners) started to call Howard out for putting a team on the field that failed to compete.

In the Eastern Division. Cleveland Stallions were the most popular team in the US. Rating for the Stallions games on both CBS and ESPN were higher than other games in the CFL. For their debut, actor Drew Carry would support the team by wearing the team jerseys in front of a sell out crowd in Cleveland Stadium. While in Birmingham, the Fire would play better this season than the last. This season would also signal the end of the Fire time in legendary Legion Field. The City of Birmingham would secure fund to build a new stadium for the Fire and for the UAB Blazers College Football team. The Stadium would be finished by 1999 and be ready for the 2000 season. Hamilton and Montreal would reform and take second and third place respectively. Cleveland became a surprise team for the playoffs, thanks to the support of fans and a returning Bill Belichick to coach, the new team would land the last playoff spot for the Eastern Division Toronto would fall to fifth and Hartford wasn't that far behind in sixth. Orlando Thunder would also fire their head coach after the season due to poor performance. However, Ottawa became a problem.

The CFL found out about the Rough Riders money problems and told Bernard Glieberman to address the issues before they strip him of the team. However, he argued that the NHL was the issue. The Ottawa Senators were taking the fans away from the team. The Rough Riders had the second-worst performance this season behind the Shreveport Pirates. Despite his claim that the NHL was to blame for his team problems, At the end of the regular season, the Rough Riders have been stripped away from Glieberman and returned to the CFL in hopes in finding a new owner. However, this upset Bernard and vowed to get revenge for losing his team to in his point of view, “F****** idiots”.

-Continue in Part 2-​

 

[TheMatthew25]

"This took a bit longer then I wanted to upload since I was busy getting it out. Here part two. It kinda short and probably shouldn't be split up but due to storms this morning here in Texas, I didn't want to take a chance. Here you go and hope you people enjoy it."

1996 CFL Playoffs:​

Eastern Semi-finals

Cleveland Stallions vs Birmingham Fire​

Stallions first playoff game was short lived as they would put out to pasture by the Birmingham Fire. While the Stallions would continue to put pressure on the Fire defense. It wasn't meant to be and they made a playoff exit. Still, they were considered the favorites for among football and sports critics and the press.

Cleveland 10 - Birmingham 21

Montreal Alouettes vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats​

Montreal and Hamilton match was considered a close battle. This game would enter overtime where one touch down would win the game. Montreal would be the lucky ones and would advance to the Eastern Finals. Hamilton would once again fall short. Hamilton would fire their coach also after failing to get further than the first round.

Montreal 20 - Hamilton 14​

----------------

Western Semi-finals

Edmonton Eskimos vs Calgary Stampeders​

With a revived Doug Flutie, Calgary was untouchable in the point department and here it showed and the defending Western champions were easily kicked out with a playoff loss.

Edmonton 11 - Calgary 28

Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs Saskatchewan Roughriders​

In the second game, Winnipeg would fly high until they were shot down Western Riders. Winnipeg was considered the best to win but wasn’t meant to be.

Winnipeg 17 - Saskatchewan 24​

----------------

Eastern Finals
Montreal Alouettes vs Birmingham Fire
Legion Field
Attendance: 25,200
Broadcast: CBC (Canada), CBS (USA)​

Fans in Legion Field were ready for a show and they got it. Montreal would put up a good fight and would do better than expected against the top team of the east. However, QB Reggie Slack was ready to outwit the Alouettes defense and would help the Fire to capture the team third trip to the finals.

Montreal 17 - Birmingham 33​

-----------​

Western Finals
Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Calgary Stampeders
McMahon Stadium
Attendance: 35,029
Broadcast: CBC (Canada)
​

Due to a scheduling conflict on CBS part, the game was only shown in highlights on CBS networks. However, CBC would air what was the game of the year by Canadian Football fans and sports critics. Doug Flutie was playing his best out there and it showed. The two top teams in the West was showing their stuff out there. This also marked the second playoff overtime this season as the game was tied 21-21 heading to the 4th quarter. However, despite the great showing by WR Curtis Mayfield, Doug Flutie would find the endzone and help his team capture the Western Title

Saskatchewan 21 - Calgary Stampeders 27
​

--------------​

84th Grey Cup Finals
Calgary Stampeders vs Birmingham Fire
November 24, 1996
Ivor Wynne Stadium
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Attendance: 39,595
Broadcast: CBS (USA), CBC (Canada)​

Originally planned for Baltimore Memorial Stadium, the Grey Cup game was then moved to Ivor Wynne due to what happened last year. The CFL would announce the next grey cup would be placed in San Antonio, Texas. This would upset some CFL fans but it would be settled down.

The Stampeders and the Fire would showcase their team offense and it was a touchdown bonanza. The 4th quarter came and the game was a 30-21 lead for the Fire. Doug Flutie would score a touch down to make it a 30-27 but they would fail to get the two-point conversion. By then there were 6 minutes left and the clock was against them. Despite a good showing by Reggie Slack, he would give up an interception to an outside linebacker to give the Stampeders one more chance.

Doug Flutie would get to work. The team would work their way to the Fire yard line. Despite two missteps, the Stampeders were finally the 10-yard line of the Birmingham Fire. With one minute left, The Stampeders would grab the last minute touchdown and score Calgary their first Grey Cup in years. Fans for the Stampeders finally had a reason to celebrate again in Calgary. CFL Grey Cup trophy was back with a Canadian team.

After the Grey Cup, CFL would reach a new deal with CBS and ESPN. The deal would include more games for ESPN including airing playoff games along with CBS. CBS would also help CFL by extending the deal till 2001. CBS would also fund the CFL to help them through this rough time. Including more money for expansion.

With the CFL Grey Cup behind them, the league would look for a new owner for Ottawa Rough Riders. However, the CFL would gain more headache as they would have to deal with the former owner wanting revenge and a potential owner wanting to capitalize on the football changing landscape.

 

[TheMatthew25]

CFL 1996-97 Offseason Report​

The Grey Cup is behind them and now they need to take care of some business. The Ottawa Rough Riders, one of the longest-running CFL club, has just been stripped away from Bernard Glieberman. They were open to finding a new owner who is willing to keep the team in Ottawa. However, no potential owner wanted to do it. Then came one man who wanted to move to New York City. His name is Vince McMahon. McMahon wanted to showcase the sport to the Big Apple.

The CFL liked the offered but some owners didn’t agree with how he wanted to do it. He wanted to dub the team the Hitmen and wanted to treat it as a sideshow to his other company (World Wrestling Federation). Larry Smith would decline the offer. Vince would walk off from the meeting upset but not deterred. He would make a new football league that would compete against the NFL and CFL.

When Bernard found out the Vince McMahon was looking to buy his Rough Riders, he called Vince and schedule a meeting at the WWF Headquarters in Stanford. Both men knew they wanted to start a rival league. Glieberman was already hard at work coming up with the All-American Football League or AAFL for short. Vince had another name. The XFL. Bernard ask what the XFL stood for and he said the “X” would be for Xtreme. Vince was looking to give American Football a new attitude for a new generation.

Both men agreed on the name and they would form their new league together.

Meanwhile, the CFL would fail to find a new owner for the Ottawa Rough Riders and on March 1st, 1997, The CFL would disband the club and give the players out in a dispersal draft. The people in Ottawa just lost their football team due to an inept owner. Larry Smith would promise the city that they would gain an expansion franchise before the year 2000.

With that going around, The CFL would try to move forward with the draft. Toronto would sign SB Matthew DuBuc from Texas Tech. Sacramento would sign WR Jerome Pathon from the University of Washington. And in a surprise move by the San Antonio Texans, they would sign Ike Hillard from Florida before he would sign to an NFL team. This was seen as risky but it paid off as the NFL didn’t see it coming.

Outside of that, the Hartford Knights and the City of Hartford have come to terms for a new stadium. The stadium would be finished by 2000, would also mark the end of the UCONN Huskies stay in the old Hartford Memorial Stadium. Also during the offseason, the new stadium in Birmingham gained a new name. Before it was dub Legion Field 2, now it is called Legion Stadium. Also, the stadium finishing date would be moved up to mid-1999.

And for San Antonio, they would move into their new home. The City originally built the Alamodome for a potential NFL franchise. But now would be the home for the CFL Texans and the NBA Spurs. The Stadium could also home a baseball team if they have to.

 

[TheMatthew25]

In Other News:
​

The NFL lawsuit by the City of Cleveland was still raging onward into 1996 season and ending in the NFL offseason. NFL would lose the Browns trademark as the City of Cleveland would gain it back. But due to this, Cleveland was stripped of their future NFL franchise. Art Modell would also have to pay back to the city for not telling anyone about it sooner.

The Houston Oilers played their final season in the city before moving to Memphis, Tenneesse. But their lame duck season was a complete and utter mess. People barely watch their final season and boycotts were made to attack the NFL and Oilers owner Bud Adams. Unline in Cleveland, the NFL would allow an expansion team in Houston in the year 2000. Elsewhere, in St. Louis, the Rams set up shop in the Trans World Dome. While NFL did promise an expansion team for St Louis before 1993, the city was happy to welcome the Rams in. Games played at the Trans World Dome would be total sellouts, making the team a success in their new home.

Back in Los Angeles, the LA Raider finally ran the show. Al Davis would make the right call despite upsetting people in Oakland. Despite that, the LA fans were okay with one team instead of two. They even did well in the playoffs and punched a ticket to the Super Bowl. They would fail to win against the Green Bay Packers.

The NFL Europe League was doing the same as last season. With Amsterdam Admirals as the sixth team, the league would stay that way for now. There were rumors that Rhein and Dublin were proposed for future expansion. The NFL wouldn’t comment about it at the time.

The 1997 World Bowl was played in London as the Monarchs played against the Claymores. It was a battle between North and South. In a surprising outcome, the London Monarchs would win over the Scottish Claymores and capture their first (technically second) World Bowl title.


1997 NFL Europe League Standings:

1. Scottish Claymores
2. London Monarchs
3. Frankfurt Galaxy
4. Hamburg Sea Devils
5. Amsterdam Admirals
6. Barcelona Dragons

Bold = World Bowl Champions

 

[TheMatthew25]

The 84th Grey Cup IOTL was known as the Snow Bowl because it occurred in a literal blizzard; I'm assuming it's the same here...

Also, it's known in pop culture for another reason: in the show How I Met Your Mother, it's where then-teen idol Robin Sparkles (who's one of the main characters of the show as an adult) debuts her grunge persona...which flopped big time...

Wonder if Cleveland will get an NFL team...

Yeah, it is pretty much the same thing like it was in Real Life. Also, I never saw the show but while researching the grey cup I saw the reference on the Wikipedia article.
Cleveland is probably on the NFL ****list for suing them in court and due to the court agreement the Browns trademark and history (which I forgot to mention "D'Oh") are reverting back to Cleveland. What they will do with it is up to debate in my head...

Meanwhile, a breaking news story just happened.

The XFL was Born!
The New York Times
June 20, 1997​

In what could be the sign of changing time not seen since the Canadian Football League accepting the former WLAF teams that the world of American Football would change again so soon. However, in 1999, things are about to change once more. Former CFL Ottawa owner Bernard Glieberman and owner of the World Wrestling Federation, Vince McMahon, are joining forces on a new football venture dubbed by them the Xtreme Football League or XFL for short.

“We are proud to announce the new league would be original and will be based on American Football and not Canadian Football codes. We are one hundred percent American made league and will showcase the top talent in the United States.” Vince McMahon, XFL Co-owner.

The league will have three division with twelve teams in the United States. The league will be a Spring to Summer league as well. Vince own company, the World Wrestling Federation, will also hype the upcoming league in there shows. The United Paramount Network (UPN) and The National Network (TNN, formally The Nashville Network) are announced as protentional tv networks for the football league.

Teams are rumored to be based in Memphis, Oakland, New Jersey, Anaheim, Las Vegas, El Paso, Portland and five more yet to be announced.

Already critics are harping on the XFL. Saying the league would be a complete flop. Whatever the outcome may be, the NFL and more importantly the CFL and NFL Europe would affect about this league. Only time will tell.

 

[TheMatthew25]

1997 CFL Season

Standings:
​

Eastern Division:

1. Montreal Alouettes
2. Birmingham Fire
3. Cleveland Stallions
4. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
5. Toronto Argonauts
6. Hartford Knights
7. Orlando Thunder

Western Division:

1. Calgary Stampeders
2. Sacramento Miners
3. BC Lions
4. San Antonio Texans
5. Edmonton Eskimos
6. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
7. Saskatchewan Roughriders
8. Shreveport Pirates

With Ottawa departure, the CFL would have to use a bye week for week ten. The Eastern Division would be owned by the Montreal Alouettes and their pickup of QB Marquel Fleetwood before he could sign to BC. Montreal would finally capture first place before the end of the season. Birmingham and Cleveland would fight it out for the second place spot. Hamilton would take the last playoff spot of the season. Toronto would fail to capture their spot and fall to fifth. Hartford would also fall from grace again and Orlando would have a hard time again. Despite the replacement of their coach, the Thunder have been facing numerous problems on the field and off the field.

The Western Division would also be dominated by the Stampeders, just like last year. Sacramento almost pulled an upset over the Stampeders but would be knocked back down to a second place finish. BC Lions would also improve this season and grab the third place spot and San Antonio would take the fourth and final playoff spot to improved the previous two seasons. Edmonton would be stopped and grab fifth place, the Western Riders would grab seventh after the Bombers defeated them in the final week of the season.

In Shreveport, the CFL finally realized they made a mistake. Shreveport Sports LLC wasn’t paying the players and the media found out. CFL was furious about this and stripped the Pirates and the players away from Jamie Howard after the season ended. Jamie Howard would sue the CFL but Shreveport Sports would face several class-action lawsuits from unpaid players and staff. CFL would also join in as well that would end Shreveport Sports LLC as a company. Jamie Howard would face prison time for fraud charges.

CFL would also announce that the Pirates are on sale starting during the playoffs. There as already one bidder from Halifax and another in Portland, Oregon. CFL would announce who will own the team by Grey Cup weekend in San Antonio.

 

[TheMatthew25]

1997 CFL Playoffs​

Eastern Semi-finals:

Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Montreal Alouettes​

In a game where the defense was key, the Ti-Cats would fail to overcome Montreal and would lose once again in the Semi-Finals.

Hamilton 07 - Montreal 24​

Cleveland Stallions vs Birmingham Fire​

Surprisingly one of the better playoff games this season. The Stallions and Fire would battle all the way to the end where a slip up cost Birmingham their chance for another Eastern Finals appearance.

Cleveland 27 - Birmingham 24​

---------------------​

Western Semi-finals​

San Antonio Texans vs Calgary Stampeders​

San Antonio would get off the ground first and had a commanding 17-06 lead of Calgary. Only to fail to keep up with Doug Flutie and his explosive style. The Texans would fall short and once again eliminated.

San Antonio 17 - Calgary 28

BC Lions vs Sacramento Miners​

BC and Sacramento would have a close scoring game. But two interceptions would hurt the Miners playoff run. BC would make it to the Western Finals for the first time in years.

BC Lions 21 - Sacramento 10

-------------​

Eastern Finals:
Cleveland Stallions vs Montreal Alouettes
Olympic Stadium
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Broadcast: CBC (Canada), ESPN (USA)​

Montreal fans saw their team making it back to the Eastern Finals since 1993. To them, they wanted to finish off the Stallions and make their way to the promised land of the Grey Cup. However, The Stallions offense was not to be pushed aside. The game was a close battle and almost made it an overtime showdown. However, quarterback Larry Jusdanis would run for a 25-yard touchdown and give his team and the city a shot at the Grey Cup.

Cleveland 21 - Montreal 28​

Western Finals:
BC Lions vs Calgary Stampeders
McMahon Stadium
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Broadcast: CBC (Canada), CBS (USA)​

The scene was set, a team that hasn't won a title in over a decade against a team that is unstoppable. It was David vs Goliath. The BC Lions would fall in the first quarter and be trailing 17-03 against the Stampeders. However, a spark lit up inside the BC Lions and they roared back into the game. It was close though as Calgary defense was one of the best in the league but they were not giving up. With less than thirty seconds left, a last-minute pass pretty much sealed the fate of the defending champions. The game was over, David defeated Goliath. The BC Lions are back in the Grey Cup Finals.

BC Lions 24 - Calgary 17​

--------------------------------------​

85th CFL Grey Cup Finals
November 16th, 1997
Montreal Alouettes vs BC Lions
Alamodome
San Antonio, Texas
Attendance: 34,055
Broadcast: CBC (Canada), CBS (USA)​

CFL first Grey Cup outside of Canada was controversial to say at least. Starting with the fact that Texas was quite a long flight away. Despite that, fans of both teams were greeted with open arms and given some Texas hospitality by the locals. Despite the long flight little over 34,000 fans packed the Alamodome to see a great Grey Cup with two teams that haven’t been the Grey Cup game since the 1980s.

The game itself was like a chess match during the first quarter. However, things changed quickly during the second quarter and the game was in favor of the BC Lions. Montreal wasn’t going down without swinging and fired back two touchdowns to tie the game at 14-14 game heading in the fourth quarter. Both teams continued onward but interceptions plagued BC and it showed as they let two touchdowns get by them and the game ended with Montreal winning their first title in 20 years.

Montreal 28 - BC Lions 14
​

During halftime, the CFL announced on both CBC Sports and CBS Sports broadcast, that Portland will receive the Pirates for the 1998 season. They also mention that Halifax would be gaining the team they deserved in 1999. They also announced that the two division format would be replaced with a two conference format with two division each.

The Grey Cup was a huge success in the United States despite some setback. CFL would announce that the next Grey Cup games would be played at Skydome in Toronto and Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Despite this, the CFL would have a cloud growing behind them. The XFL was starting in 1999, the CFL would have to act fast. Time was now against them.

 

[TheMatthew25]

"Sorry for taking a bit longer to get this out but I did finish this and the "In Other News' chapter as well. You guys ready for some significant butterflies? Because this year, Cleveland means business."

"By the way, thank you guys for the suggestions for Halifax. I decided to go with my gut with my idea."

1997-98 CFL Offseason Report
​

The gridiron football world couldn't rest for a minute as the Canadian Football League would have a rival league competing during the summer. Despite this, the CFL would move forward toward their offseason with some big signing and updates for two teams new stadium in 1999.

First was the Birmingham Fire as they would announce that their stadium would be ready before the 1999 season. This also means that Legion Field would also be demolished afterward as its days are numbered. The new stadium, Legion Stadium, is a true modern remake of the legendary stadium, something similar to Chicago Soldier Field, the stadium would be ready before the 1999 CFL Season. Hartford new stadium, now known as Aetna Stadium, would be a massive improvement to the small and aging Memorial Stadium. This stadium will hold 45,000 people and is ready for not only Canadian Football but also Soccer as the City of Hartford is bidding on a Soccer franchise when the stadium is built. Bruce Springsteen also announced he would be performing shows in the new stadium for his tour.

Elsewhere, the CFL announced their franchise, Portland Pirates, would be playing at Civic Stadium. For now, the stadium is home of the Pacific Coast League Portland Beavers. However, Both the Beaver and the Pirates owner groups are in negotiation with the city for a new Stadium similar to Oakland. If the deal goes through then the plan new stadium will be completed by 2001 or 2002.

The 1999 expansion team from Halifax was named also. The team would be dubbed the Halifax Schooners. The team will play in Halifax Huskies Stadium when renovations are completed.

During the CFL Draft, the CFL would pick up some new talent before the NFL could grab them. Toronto would grab Ryan Leaf after announcing he would go undrafted after realizing the Indianapolis would select him in the first round. This left Payton Manning to be selected in the first round by that same team. Randy Moss would be picked up by Cleveland during the draft. This moved surprised many NFL Fans as he was committed to playing in Minnesota.

“I was given the chance to play in near the state I was born in and they gave more of a chance to be myself and have some fun on the field.” - Randy Moss

Cleveland Stallions would also grab Fred Taylor from Florida to help their Defense.

Birmingham would also select wide receiver Hines Ward from Georiga to help their new Offense Line since Matt Dunigan would be traded to BC.

The CFL is preparing for the XFL. As for the NFL, they just sat back and watch. The XFL and CFL would be gearing up for a heck of a fight where, in NFL eyes, hoped both would destroy themselves.​

 

[TheMatthew25]

In Other News: 1998
​

With the gridiron world buzzing about the XFL, Vince McMahon would detail the teams for the new league. Announcing the ten clubs that would compete in the inaugural 1999 season. Opinions for the new teams are mixed. Some of the teams are based in NFL markets, except for the Orlando Rage, which is competing with the Orlando Thunder of the CFL. Five of the teams is owned by the XFL while the other five owners own the rest of the teams.

Eastern Division:
NY/NJ Hitmen - Meadowlands Stadium (Owned by Vince)
Orlando Rage - Citrus Bowl (Owned by Vince)
Atlanta Destroyers - Georgia Dome (Owned by Jeffery Stevens)
Louisville Boltz - Cardinals Stadium (Owned by Louisville Sports and Entertainment)

Central Division:
Chicago Enforcers - Solider Field (Owned by Vince)
El Paso Heatwave - Sun Bowl (Owned by Vince)
Oklahoma Wranglers - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Owned by Jim Ross)

Western Division:
California Xtreme - Anaheim Stadium (Owned by Vince)
Seattle Terror - Kingdome (Owned by Berry Ackerley)
Oakland Invaders - Oakland Coliseum (Owned by A. Alfred Taubman
​

The XFL also gained a new but controversial supporter. Donald J. Trump will be supporting the XFL over the CFL. Feeling this league will be the overall winner and will destroy the Canadian League and its weird rules.

The XFL will have a 16 week Spring schedule starting on February 7th and ending it regular season on May 23. All games will be airing on TNN and UPN. While it won't compete against the CFL, the XFL will try to take any top talents away from the CFL.

In the National Football League. Not many people were worried about XFL but instead rooting for them. Jerry Jones (Cowboys owner) was on record saying that the CFL shouldn’t come to the USA. However, some owners were still worried about the XFL. Owners like, Bill Bidwell and Robert Kraft were more worried about how the NFL would deal with the competition and how it would affect both the league and its minor league.

Also, NFL Europe would face some decline of players from the XFL announcement. While some were offered to stay with the NFL clubs and their NFL Europe teams. Most were unhappy with the idea of play abroad and from their families. However, the attendance was still good enough to keep the minor league afloat for now. The World Bowl this league had the Amsterdam Admirals took on the newly founded club, Rhein Aces, in a close but not that close final as the Admirals sunk the Aces down hard for the 1998 World Bowl in Hamburg.

NFL Europe League 1998 Final Standings:
1. Amsterdam Admirals
2. Rhein Aces
3. Frankfurt Galaxy
4. London Monarchs
5. Scottish Claymores
6. Barcelona Dragons
7. Hamburg Sea Devils
BOLD = World Bowl Champion.​

Outside of all this, the Arena Football League, which was founded in 1987, was facing the heat of competition. The AFL was viewed as a gimmick league by critics and while it has its fans, the league is in trouble of folding for good. Disney was showcasing the games on ESPN but the ratings were mediocre at best. The AFL might fold before 2000 unless someone can save them.

List of teams in the AFL:

National Conference:
Albany Firebirds
Tampa Bay Storm
Orlando Predators
New Jersey CityHawks
Nashville Katz

American Conference:
Iowa Barnstormers
Milwaukee Mustangs
San Jose Sabercats
Arizona Rattlers
Detroit Drive
​

AFL ArenaBowl Champions as of 1998:
87: Pittsburgh Gladiators
88-91: Detroit Drive
92: Tampa Bay Storm
93: Orlando Predators
94: Tampa Bay Storms
95: Iowa Barnstormers
96: New Jersey CityHawks
97: San Jose Sabercats
98: Arizona Rattlers
​

 

[TheMatthew25]

1998 CFL Season

Standings:​

Eastern Division:

1. Toronto Argonauts
2. Cleveland Stallions
3. Montreal Alouettes
4. Hartford Knights
5. Birmingham Fire
6. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
7. Orlando Thunder

Western Division:

1. Calgary Stampeders
2. BC Lions
3. Saskatchewan Roughriders
4. Portland Pirates
5. San Antonio Texans
6. Edmonton Eskimos
7. Sacramento Miners
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Toronto Agros new QB Ryan Leaf was a perfect fit for the team that needed a boost of confidence. The Argonauts would capture the first place of the Eastern Division. Cleveland new player Randy Moss would also have a great debut season for the CFL. Defending champion Montreal Alouettes fell to third place but still makes it to the playoffs while Hartford would climb back up to the playoff picture.

In a surprise to everyone, Birmingham would fail to qualified to the playoff. This was a year of the rebuild for them and it showed. Hamilton would also fail to capture a playoff spot. Orlando, with news of the XFL Orlando Rage playing in their stadium, would create some problems. The Thunder haven't been in the playoff for several years and the team is losing attendances. If the XFL Rage does better in the box office then the Thunder, It would end the Thunder time in the sunshine state.

Calgary Stampeders would also be the top team again in the CFL, Doug Flutie would once again have several great games. BC would capture second place and Saskatchewan Roughriders would once again improve and make the playoffs. The former Shreveport Pirates would find their new home in Portland more promising and would reward them a playoff berth. Fans would jam pack the Civic Stadium and enjoy watching their new football team.

San Antonio would once again miss the playoffs but not by much as they were one game behind Portland. Edmonton, who is also going through a rebuild, will fall to sixth place. Sacramento would have issues also. Hornet Stadium, which has been their home since 1992, is outdated and the city isn’t allowing the team to propose a new stadium. Sacramento Kings, which have played there since the late 1980s, has improved and took the fans away from the Miners home games.

Winnipeg also had issues, but they managed to stay afloat despite being in the last place in the Western Division.

 

[TheMatthew25]

1998 CFL Playoffs:

Eastern Semi-finals:

Hartford Knights vs Toronto Argonauts

This was a one-sided affair where the Knights were dealing with injuries and when their QB went out, it was over. The Argonauts will return to the Eastern Finals once more.

Hartford 10 - Toronto 28

Montreal Alouettes vs Cleveland Stallions

The game where most people were voting on Cleveland to return to the Eastern Finals. Montreal would say no and continue onward and despite Randy Moss doing his best. Cleveland would not make it to the Eastern Finals like last season after a last-second field goal by Montreal.

Montreal 24 - Cleveland 21

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Western Semi-finals

Portland Pirates vs Calgary Stampeders

Despite the Pirates win over the Stampeders in the regular season was a huge boost to help them get to the playoffs. Calgary wanted revenge for their lost and destroyed the team and would only let them score one touchdown in the game.

Portland 07 - Calgary 32

Saskatchewan Roughriders vs BC Lions

In a true battle for the last finals spot. The Western Riders and Lions would battle it out. It was a slugfest, like two heavyweight boxers for a chance for glory. In the end, BC Place Stadium would celebrate as their team would continue onward to the finals.

Saskatchewan 21 - BC Lions 28

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Eastern Finals:

Montreal Alouettes vs Toronto Argonauts
Skydome
Broadcast: CBC (Canada), CBS (USA)

This was a close matchup toward the end where Toronto Ryan Leaf would give Andre Batson for the game and for Toronto first Grey Cup Appearance since 1987.

Montreal 10 - Toronto 17

Western Finals:

BC Lions vs Calgary Stampeders
McMahon Stadium
Broadcast: CBC (Canada), ESPN (USA)

Montreal failed to win their match but BC wasn’t going to allow it to happen to them. However, Doug Flutie and the Stampeders best offensive line would quietly put the Lions to rest and punched their way back to the Grey Cup against Toronto. Setting up the last Grey Cup to take place with two Canadian teams.

BC Lions 14 - Calgary 41

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86th CFL Grey Cup Finals
November 22, 1998
Calgary Stampeders vs Toronto Argonauts
Skydome
Attendance: 50,000 (Expanded for the Grey Cup game)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Broadcast: CBC (Canada), CBS (USA)

Two things were announced by the CFL during the Grey Cup Weekend. One was that the league would be adopting a new name for the 1999 season onward. They would also be adopting a new two conference format with two division each. One was the American Conference and the other was the Canadian Conference. Both will have an East and West Division. CFL hopefuls were stunned by this as they knew this was bound to happen since 1993. But they believe that the XFL debut months later would spark a name change and new format.

The game itself would be a close battle between the rookie and the veteran as Leaf would battle Flutie. In a way, it was a battle of new and old. Toronto would have the lead by the first quarter but would lose it in the second. The third and fourth quarters were a close battle where there weren't any touchdowns until the final ten minutes. In the end, it was Calgary pulling the upset on Argonauts home turf. With a field goal to give the game to the Stampeders and their second title in three years.

Calgary 27 - Toronto 24

The CFL would also showcase the new Halifax Schooners logo and team uniforms. While this was happening, The CFL would face some criticism for not giving Ottawa a new team. The CFL would respond by telling the press that the CFL will expand again around 2002 at the latest.
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[TheMatthew25]

1998-99 CFL Offseason Report:
​

This offseason was a year of change for the old Canadian Football League. The league was looking to reinvent themselves for a new generation and for the world. First was the realignment of their teams. Gone was the old East versus West Division format that been in play since day one, this season would introduce the new United States and Canadian Football Conference.

Canadian Football Conference

East Division:
Montreal Alouettes
Toronto Argos
Halifax Schooners
Hamilton Tiger-Cats

West Division:
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Calgary Stampeders
Edmonton Eskimos
BC Lions

United States Football Conference

East Division:
Hartford Knights
Orlando Thunder
Cleveland Browns
Birmingham Fire

West Division:
San Antonio Texans
Sacramento Miners
Portland Pirates​

Then finally came the name, Some of the Owners wanted to keep the CFL but call it the Continental Football League instead of Canadian. Others wanted the CAFL or Canadian American Football League. After a day of decision making, The league decided upon the Continental Football League as it new name going forward. This would keep some CFL died hard happy and would help expand the game even more in the United States.

Another surprise came when it was announced that Calgary Stampeders legend Doug Flutie would retire after the end of the season. Flutie, a legend from Boston College and from his short time in the USFL, would like to win one more Grey Cup for Calgary before he leaves the field once more.

Also in the news was SEGA. SEGA of America, who by this point was gearing up for the 6th gen of video game consoles with the Neptune and still going strong with the Saturn. They would announce a new Partnership with the CFL to create a video game for the 2000 Season. The game would be dubbed CFL Fever 2k0 and would be developed by Visual Concepts who had some prior knowledge about making a football game, releasing Madden NFL 96 in partnership with Electronic Arts and the NFL.

During the CFL Draft, the CFL would once again take some shots on the NFL and grabbed a future legend in the making. Halifax, despite being in one of the smaller markets in the CFL, would grab Amsterdam Admirals QB Kurt Warner for a $200,000. Warner was happy he could at least play in North America again and to play for another league that was different then what he was used too. Also for the CFL draft, Cleveland would draft David Boston from Ohio State and Lamar King from SVSU in Michigan.

Rumors during the offseason about future expansion ideas would come to play too. CFL announced they would like to expand to the Central and Bay Area of the United States. While for Canada, that wants to expand back to Ottawa as soon as they can. Timing would play a factor and the XFL season already on its way by the time the new news broke.