CFL bans Ottawa Redblacks chainsaw squad from sawing logs at 103rd Grey Cup in Winnipeg
It's been a familiar sight along the sidelines at Ottawa Redblacks home games: a crew of flannel-clad lumberjacks slicing a wooden "cookie" off a log whenever the team scores a touchdown.
The Algonquin Loggersports squad, however, won't be able to wield their chainsaws at Sunday's Grey Cup game in Winnipeg.
The four-member squad currently in Winnipeg — made up of faculty and recent graduates of Algonquin College's forestry technician program — have been told their celebration could give the Redblacks an unfair advantage, said Jamie Bramburger, manager of community and student affairs at Algonquin's Pembroke campus.
Crew had permission revoked
The squad initially had permission to be at the Grey Cup and "perform as they normally would," said Bramburger, but on Saturday, as the crew flew to Winnipeg for the game, the league reversed that call.
"I don't know how it would [affect the game] from the perspective that this is really just a celebration after a touchdown is scored," said Bramburger.
"But as I've said, we respect the decision. Because at the end of the day, this is about the football game."
As of Sunday morning, the league was still allowing the chainsaw squad to be on the sidelines with their gear, said Randy Burgess, vice-president of communications and content with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, the consortium that operates the Redblacks.
Cookies given to 'special' fans
After the wooden cookies are cut and branded with the Redblacks logo, one of the crew members typically picks it up and runs it along the sidelines of TD Place in Ottawa, whipping the crowd into a frenzy.
The cookies are often presented to someone "special" at the game, said Bramburger.
During the CFL's eastern final — which the Redblacks won 35-28 over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats thanks to a thrilling 93-yard touchdown pass in the final minutes — one of the cookies was presented to the French ambassador in the wake of the Paris terror attacks, said Bramburger.
He said the Loggersports squad is taking the news in stride, and they're still excited to be part of today's game.
'Out of their hands'
"They know that this is something that is out of their hands, and they're prepared to do whatever is asked of them," said Bramburger.
"So if it is a milder celebration than would normally occur, that's okay with us. We'll just make sure that we blend in with all of those other Ottawa Redblacks fans that have made the trek to Winnipeg.
The now-slightly-quieter game between the Redblacks and the Edmonton Eskimos gets underway at 6 p.m. ET.
