Despite much fanfare over PSY's halftime performance and the fact that Rogers Communications -- who brought the team to Toronto -- had an entire year to market a single NFL game, the Buffalo Bills drew a crowd this past Sunday at SkyDome of just 40,770. Toronto does have NFL fans. But at the end of the day, Canadians (including southern Ontarians) prefer our game to the one played south of the border.
What I find particularly interesting about the Canadian Football League -- our league -- is that it often reflects Canada's political, economic and ideational condition. As Canada completes its celebration of the 100th Grey Cup, it is a particularly timely moment to examine "Canada-Toronto relations."
At the end of every NFL season, Canadians sit with quiet envy as the jets fly over the stadium and the popstar of the day mangles the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner." And although most will deny it if asked, we wish that spectacle could be ours. Perhaps this year's Grey Cup pop a few Viagra and join the 21st century.