There was the typical run of April Fools’ jokes on Monday – Ticats owner Bob Young as the new Pigskin Pete, Charleston Hughes posting a fake retirement message – but the guys behind the Piffles Podcast got it exactly right.
They used their site and Twitter account to post “leaked” images of a supposed Saskatchewan Roughriders uniform re-design from New Era. Here’s what they looked like:
Photo courtesy: Piffles Podcast
Photo courtesy: Piffles Podcast
Photo courtesy: Piffles Podcast
One of the most important elements of a good April Fools’ joke is plausibility and given that the Montreal Alouettes have already unveiled their new uniforms, it seemed possible that the Riders refreshed look was ready to go. The excellent design work by Piffler Greg McCulloch gave it an authentic feel and the weird angle of the photos gave it that “stolen CIA documents” vibe.
But a closer look revealed some clues – and a TREMENDOUS troll job.
The giant “R” on the helmets was reminiscent of the old Ottawa Rough Riders look and the #RiderNation hashtag on the pants was a snipe at the exceedingly dumb #RNation hashtag on the current Redblacks’ uniforms. Add the fact that some Ottawa fans are still a little salty about the fact that the Riders wouldn’t allow the Rough Riders to have their old name back – Horn Chen still owns it anyway, I think – and the whole thing was just delicious.
Did it fool some people? Sure did.
I really hate the “R” on the Helmets I hope this isn’t the final thing. Really underwhelmed with these pictures.
— Tom (@CTBleedGreen) April 1, 2019
You know who else they almost got? Us.
We may or may not have put together a post on the new uniforms when some editor (me) decided to double-check to make sure it wasn’t an April Fools’ joke. To their credit, they copped to it and then confessed to a larger audience.
Yes it was a prank.
Here it is in all of its glory.
I can't believe how many people I hooked on this, and how many who knew the date and still weren't sure.
It was an ego boost lol. pic.twitter.com/CzX1nK0q1d
— 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕘𝕆𝕟𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕤 🌾🏈🎙️ (@GregOnSports) April 1, 2019
That’s some good April Foolin’ right there. Almost as good as the one where the Ottawa offensive coordinator suddenly quits after not being allowed to interview for a head coaching job this winter… oh wait, that one is actually true.
