The CFL community reacts to the approval of a 14-game 2021 season

The CFL’s board of governors voted unanimously on Monday to approve a 14-game regular season starting on August 5, culminating in the 108th Grey Cup in Hamilton on December 12.

The news was received enthusiastically by CFL fans who missed out on a 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league had the option of self-funding a six-game bubble season in Winnipeg last year, but elected not to do so when they were unable to secure an interest-free loan from the federal government.

Here is a collection of the reaction from the CFL community.

The tension going into Monday’s vote was palpable. After not playing in 2020, some believed that a cancelled season in 2021 could mean the end of the league.

Pretty easy to say at 10am MT this morning is the most important moment in #CFL history to this point. #CFL2021

— Dave Campbell (@Dave_CHED) June 14, 2021

Today is the day the CFL lives or dies, and I don’t consider that hyperbole.

If the BOG do not return a yes vote, the CFL as we knew it will be dead.

There is zero reason not to play if you consider yourself to be a world standard league.

Get it done @CFL

— Ryan Ballantine (@BBCANRyan) June 14, 2021

Genuinely believe the future of the CFL is at-stake with tomorrow’s Board of Governors vote.

Genuinely believe we will get a “Yes” to the 2021 season, but I really don’t think the damage that a “No” vote would do can be overstated.

— Danny Austin (@DannyAustin_9) June 14, 2021

Rumours swirled throughout the morning that the vote would proceed positively.

#CFL franchises have been told to 'proceed like it's happening' and prepare 'as if' the 2021 season is a go, per sources.

Time to find out if the board of governors back up the organizational messages by voting to kick-off August 5.https://t.co/QFDRZLMtDC

📸: @JohanyJutras pic.twitter.com/6YGCstR3yV

— Justin Dunk (@JDunk12) June 14, 2021

The same governors voting today on the fate of a shortened 2021 #CFL season are the same folks telling front office folk to prepare and proceed as if it's all systems go.

Expect the 'official' green light later this afternoon.

— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) June 14, 2021

Positive vibes leading-up to today’s upcoming BOG vote on a 14-game 2021 @CFL season. But as with a good CFL game … we’ll wait for the final gun. #CFL #CFLPA

— Dave Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) June 14, 2021

Canadian Football League Players’ Association president Solomon Elimimian encouraged all fans to tweet at their favourite CFL team urging them to vote ‘yes.’

To all the players and fans MOA for the 2021 season is signed! We are close to getting back on the field. Tweet your fav #CFL team to vote yes to play! @CFLPA @CFL pic.twitter.com/CCDUfq8XIq

— Solomon Elimimian (@SolomonE56) June 10, 2021

Canadian Football League Players’ Association vice-president John Bowman wanted the vote to be livestreamed on TSN. This didn’t happen, which felt like a missed opportunity.

https://twitter.com/7Bowman/status/1403357631243247616

The players were hoping for a positive result.

Anybody else woke up like we been on trial for a year and today is verdict day…. come on @cfl i need to play n im fully vaccinated lol

— brandon banks (@speedybanks16) June 14, 2021

Been refreshing my TL every minute to see if we’re playing or not lmaoo

— Dejon (@ooh_Canada) June 14, 2021

I’m getting thumb cramps from refreshing this thing… let’s go!

— Jacob Ruby (@jacobruby54) June 14, 2021

Today is the day @CFL. Do the right thing. WE WANT TO PLAY! @Ticats

— Chris Frey Jr (@cfrey_23) June 14, 2021

We’re not entirely sure that the vote looked this way, but it’s pretty funny to think about.

#Message @cfl @CFLonTSN Inside the #BoardOfGovernors meeting. 😂😂 HAHA. Hopefully we’re playing some @cfl football this season. What do you guys think? #PaperPlates pic.twitter.com/sB53eztyrw

— Milt Stegall (@MiltStegallTSN) June 14, 2021

It was tough for CFL fans to be patient as the meeting was underway. They’ve waited a long, long time since the 2019 Grey Cup.

Every CFL fan currently…#cfl pic.twitter.com/60jEHrK9Oi

— KJ 🏆🏆 (@kjc_2599) June 14, 2021

Desperately want to hear the @CFL announce today that they have voted to start a season in Aug !! Really miss my @Wpg_BlueBombers football

— Gino Giannuzzi 🇨🇦🇮🇹 (@GinoGiannuzzi) June 14, 2021

CFL fans and PA looking at the Board of Governors today pic.twitter.com/CvuKa7PkMA

— Mike (@IJustShotABeks) June 14, 2021

https://twitter.com/BJTheroux/status/1404475087164645381

Every #CFL fan waiting to hear the results of the Board of Governors meeting 😬 pic.twitter.com/ScpBfZpUUl

— Troy Durrell (@TroyDurrell) June 14, 2021

When the news of a positive vote finally broke, people rejoiced.

https://twitter.com/BlueBfan/status/1404491655944749066

https://twitter.com/4413Cronin/status/1404492915599056897

It’s been a LONGGGGG wait. Pumped for CFL football!

— AJ Jakubec (@TheSuperAJ) June 14, 2021

Live look at #CFL Twitter pic.twitter.com/qikKTCiOGV

— r/CFL on Reddit (@CFL_Reddit) June 14, 2021

THERE IT IS!! MARK YOUR CALENDARS AUGUST 5th!! https://t.co/ynXSqNo0ci

— The Green Zone (@GreenZoneSK) June 14, 2021

Me leaving alabama headed back to Canada. See you soon riderville! #cfl#thereturn#olinepride @sskroughriders pic.twitter.com/223mPfLGf8

— CoachStephenSorrells (@coachsorrells) June 14, 2021

WE HAVE FOOTBALL IN THE @CFL pic.twitter.com/ZKUiEcrY41

— Jacob Ruby (@jacobruby54) June 14, 2021

Ah, hard to put into words the emotion and happiness for everyone involved in this league right now. The wait is finally over. Lets. Go.

— Darren Cameron (@Darren_Cameron) June 14, 2021

Me: pic.twitter.com/inpGkDKu6W

— John Hodge (@JohnDHodge) June 14, 2021

OTTAWA!!!! LET’S PLAY SOME FOOTBALL!!!! #RNATION #cfl

— Brendan Gillanders (@Bgillanders25) June 14, 2021

#CFL https://t.co/vN95FGRW1m pic.twitter.com/fSQPxTn1gd

— Lucas Barrett (@LucasBarrett9) June 14, 2021

You're patience has been rewarded.

Your faith restored.

Fans can start to talk football again and now they'll be investing in a season that WILL be happening.

Hats off to the fans….#CFL

— CFL News (@CFL_News) June 14, 2021

Finally some good news!!!

Have sorely missed everything about the #CFL – the fans, the players, the atmosphere but most of all the great Canadian game – and cannot wait to get back to the stadiums with my amazing #CFLonTSN colleagues who love this game

— Chris Edwards (@CEdwardsTSN) June 14, 2021

Current mood: pic.twitter.com/RaK2oK1nER

— Chris Hofley (@chrishofley) June 14, 2021

I’m going to bawl like a newborn baby when they kick this thing off. #CFL #IsItAugustYet? https://t.co/w4nzNuc1Wy

— JC Abbott (@TheJCAbbott) June 14, 2021

The @CFL is back August 5th. Can’t come soon enough.

— Donnovan Bennett (@donnovanbennett) June 14, 2021

My reaction now that I know for sure there will be #REDBLACKS football in 2021 pic.twitter.com/6qgGBwhqF2

— Redblack Renegade (@RedBlackGade) June 14, 2021

#CFL Twitter today pic.twitter.com/dqwDE30sIf

— Some Jerk In Winnipeg 🇨🇦 (@bigA204) June 14, 2021

The @CFL is back!!! Let’s go 🔥🔥🔥

— DJ Heer (@DJHeerMusic) June 14, 2021

WE'RE BACK BABY!! #cfl2021

— Dave Campbell (@Dave_CHED) June 14, 2021

pic.twitter.com/xbNEzKpVvL

— Marni Cramer 🇨🇦 (@CramerMarni) June 14, 2021

The CFL returns August 5th!

I'm looking forward to seeing Mosaic and three down football again!

Go Riders!

— Devyn Gregoire (@devyn_gregoire) June 14, 2021

 

If you want to get hyped for the 2021 CFL season, check out this video from the defending Grey Cup champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers. It gave us chills.

568 days later… we are set to defend our title. #ForTheW pic.twitter.com/CXb8m15qpk

— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) June 14, 2021