TORONTO (Aug. 11) — I have closely followed the Canadian Football League since September 1969, when Dad took me to my first game at the old CNE Stadium (Ottawa beat the Argos). I stuck with the league through all of its lean years, after the arcane television blackout policy of the 1970’s and 80’s destroyed an entire generation of young fans. Most of whom gravitated to the football available on TV… and were instant (and permanent) converts to the National Football League. I attended Argonaut home games in the middle–70’s that regularly attracted 47,000 to the expanded Exhibition Stadium. And, games at BMO Field in which less than one–third of that number bothered to show. But, never have I felt so ashamed of being a CFL fan than last Thursday night, when the league made a mockery of itself before a nationwide audience watching the Saskatchewan at Ottawa game on TSN.

If you missed it, consider yourself lucky. This was professional sport at its absolute worst.

Also true is that pro sport existed far–less controversially in the days prior to video review. What was initially intended to correct the occasional close call, particularly late in a game, has evolved into a monster, with all professional leagues in North America beyond self–control. We learned, however, something entirely different on Thursday: that the Command Centre in the CFL has the authority to re–start a game declared final by the on–field officials. If any of us live to 100, we will not bare witness to such a pro sports travesty. In the second overtime mini–game, the front four of Saskatchewan blitzed Ottawa quarterback Justin Crum on third down, sacking him well behind the line of scrimmage and securing a 22–19 road victory. Or, so everyone figured. Referee Tim Kroeker waved a flag over his head, signaling the end of the match. Players from both teams embraced and/or jogged to the dressing room. It was an enormous triumph for the Roughriders and a gut–churning loss for the Redblacks, whose No. 1 quarterback, Dru Brown, had left the match with an injury. Suddenly came a call over the microphone from Kroeker that the Command Centre had initiated a review. Of what? Whether the official had properly spun his end–of–game flag? Did the two head coaches (Corey Mace, Bob Dyce) slap each another?

How could a game that was over still be under review?

If that wasn’t sufficiently scurrilous, the geniuses in the Command Centre determined that Saskatchewan be penalized for roughing the passer. Which is fine. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. This viewpoint would perhaps generate a minor controversy in the days to come. But, it carried no weight. The game was OVER. Next voice we heard was Kroeker announcing the Command Centre’s finding… and that the completed game would resume with the Redblacks granted an automatic first down. Surely this was some mistake, or a bit of gallows humor from the Command post. No football game in history has been re–started after it ended. Not to my knowledge, anyway. It turns out, however, the three men in the Command Centre possess the authority to enact such an absurd ruling. As they did on Thursday, allowing the Redblacks to ultimately tie the Roughriders, 22–22, on a walk–off field goal.

It was the most–unjust result in the regular–season annals of the CFL.

Particularly when replays showed an on–field official virtually hovering over Crum during the game–ending sack. The official determined, accurately, that Saskatchewan linebacker Zakoby McClain had been cut–blocked by an Ottawa lineman and accidentally rolled into Crum’s lower leg. No penalty flag emerged from the official directly on top of the play. Nor should it have. At which point Kroeker spun his game–ending flag. How the Command Centre has the authority — based on a second, completely subjective opinion — to overthrow the on–field officiating crew is a question that commissioner Randy Ambrosie must immediately address. If he has the gonads. Otherwise, the CFL will remain subject to the preposterous whims of the Command Centre officials, who do not seem to comprehend their place in the sport. Darrell Davis, the long–time football writer at the Regina Leader–Post, said “the CFL’s ‘God’ Centre needs to return to its roots.” In the accompanying story, Davis wrote: Just change the name of the league, for crissakes! It’s no longer the CFL. It has become the CCFL — Command Centre Football League — because the games are no longer being decided by players, coaches or on–field officials. Instead, the outcomes are being determined by the unpredictable and almighty “God Centre,” a TV–filled room in Toronto where former officials and players incessantly peruse video replays and omnisciently decide how to best disrupt a game.

This wasn’t sour grapes from the Saskatchewan capital. Davis has covered the CFL for more than 40 years. His opinion counts. Invented 15 years ago to quickly and unobtrusively review obvious mistakes, the Command Centre has vastly overstepped the reason for its existence… [at the conclusion of Thursday night’s game], referee Tim Kroeker signaled [by waving his flag], celebratory and consoling handshakes ensued, assistant coaches came down from their press box perches, players headed to the locker rooms and fans gathered their belongings.

Then came the worst words in sport: “The Command Centre is reviewing the last play.”

An all–too–frequent moment with which I can easily identify. Just by watching the fans around me at BMO Field cringe every time a play goes from the field to the video room. Again, we’re not talking about correcting an obvious mistake, which was the object of video review. Instead, a trio of television watchers no different than you or I can impose its subjective will on any game — evidently, now, at any time. Even after it has been declared over.

Problem is, the trio messes up roughly six of every ten reviews, routinely overturning correct calls on the field… or making up their own rules. They repeatedly drive coaches, players and fans crazy with their bizarre decisions. Still, nothing is done at the top. Either the review officials must be replaced; must be restricted in their authority; have their prominent egos slapped down… or the entire process should be overhauled. Maybe even scrapped.

Either is preferable to the silly practice currently allowed.

In its defense, the Command Centre has been provided too much clout by the league. This was never–more evident than during Thursday night’s debacle at Landsowne Park. But, it impacts other areas. For example, why is pass interference the purview of the Command Centre? Why do three television viewers have the right to subjectively overrule a subjective call on the field? It is nothing more than a second opinion — and it usually contradicts what TV viewers can see. In other words, the CFL’s video review centre frequently overturns a proper call. Which is infuriating for a partisan fan, yet annoying even to those that are neutral. As Darrell Davis wrote, the Command Centre employees intercede to justify their existence. No professional league should operate in such a manner.

The Command Centre must be reeled in. Substantially. Before it destroys a Grey Cup game for all to see.

MORE ITEMS FROM THE HOCKEY VAULT…

Thought you might enjoy this memorabilia in my large hockey collection:

 
STILL HAVE THIS VINYL RECORD–ALBUM FROM 1964, AFTER THE MAPLE LEAFS HAD PREVAILED OVER DETROIT TO WIN THEIR THIRD CONSECUTIVE STANLEY CUP UNDER PUNCH IMLACH. THE GM/COACH JOINED KEY VETERANS JOHNNY BOWER, TIM HORTON, ANDY BATHGATE AND DAVE KEON IN OFFERING TIPS TO YOUNG HOCKEY PLAYERS.

THE NHL STOPPED PUBLISHING ITS ANNUAL GUIDE & RECORD BOOK AFTER THE 2018–19 SEASON, CHOOSING TO GO DIGITAL. AS SUCH, THE OLD BOOKS ARE GAINING IN VALUE. THESE ARE FROM THE LAST YEAR OF THE SIX–TEAM LEAGUE (1966–67) AND THE FIRST YEAR OF EXPANSION (1967–68), WHEN THE NHL DOUBLED IN SIZE TO 12 TEAMS.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT GAME PROGRAMS WERE NO–LONGER AVAILABLE AT MOST SPORTING VENUES AFTER THE PANDEMIC. I ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD, IN MY YOUTH, TO DAD BUYING THE PROGRAM FROM A LEAFS GAME WE ATTENDED AT THE GARDENS. SUCH AS THE ABOVE ITEMS FROM DECEMBER 1968/JANUARY 1969 AND MARCH 1969.

 
FRONT AND REAR COVERS OF THE TORONTO ALBUM AS PART OF A SERIES DISTRIBUTED AT THE MONTREAL FORUM IN 1968–69. WITH AUTOGRAPHS, ON THE FRONT, FROM GUMP WORSLEY AND TERRY HARPER OF THE CANADIENS. BRUCE GAMBLE (30) AND JOHNNY BOWER (1) ARE THE MAPLE LEAF GOALIES PICTURED ON THE ALBUM.

 
AMONG THE EXPANSION TEAMS FROM 1967–68 WAS THE OAKLAND SEALS. THIS PROGRAM, WITH SEALS DEFENSEMAN BERT MARSHALL ON THE COVER, DATES MORE THAN 55 YEARS TO FEB. 23, 1969. THE LOS ANGELES KINGS DEFEATED THE SEALS, 4–3, AT THE OAKLAND COLISEUM–ARENA. TED IRVINE SCORED THE WINNING GOAL IN THE THIRD PERIOD.

LINE–UPS FROM BOSTON GARDEN PROGRAM DURING THE 1969 CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. FIVE DIFFERENT SCORERS (PETER MAHOVLICH, RALPH BACKSTROM, MICKEY REDMOND, HENRI RICHARD, SERGE SAVARD) LED MONTREAL TO A 5–2 VICTORY OVER THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS–TO–BE. JOHN BUCYK AND BOBBY ORR REPLIED FOR THE BRUINS. GARNET (ACE) BAILEY, NO. 14 FOR BOSTON, WOULD BE KILLED ABOARD UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT 175 DURING THE SEP. 11 TERRORIST ATTACKS. BAILEY’S AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO THE SOUTH TOWER OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER.

AMONG THE MORE THAN 1,200 NHL MEDIA GUIDES IN MY COLLECTION ARE THESE FROM THE OLD MINNESOTA NORTH STARS, ANOTHER OF THE 1967 EXPANSION ENTRIES. INCLUDING THE 1978–79 ISSUE (TOP–RIGHT), WHEN THE NORTH STARS MERGED ROSTERS WITH THE CLEVELAND BARONS. THE STARS RELOCATED TO DALLAS IN 1993–94.

 
UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF YOUNG GM CLIFF FLETCHER, THE ATLANTA FLAMES MADE THE PLAYOFFS IN THEIR SECOND NHL SEASON (1973–74). WHEREUPON THEY WERE SWEPT IN THE OPENING ROUND BY PHILADELPHIA, AS THE FLYERS WOULD BECOME THE FIRST OF THE 1967 EXPANSION CLUBS TO WIN THE STANLEY CUP (DEFEATING BOSTON). THIS PROGRAM IS FROM GAME 3 OF THE FLAMES–FLYERS SERIES AT THE OMNI IN ATLANTA (APR. 12, 1974).

EMAIL: HOWARDLBERGER@GMAIL.COM