Stampeders take down Elks in thrilling Labour Day Classic
When you think about the battle of Alberta, what comes to mind: Do you think of the fierce rivalry between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers? Or is the storied Labour Day Classic between the Elks and Stampeders?
There really is no wrong answer; both draw in droves of fans eager to watch their respective club claim provincial superiority.
On Monday, the Stampeders once again asserted themselves as Alberta's top football team, taking down the Elks 26-18 to claim the franchise's 400th home victory.
Calgary came in as the clear favourite, but it wasn't the cleanest outing for the Stamps.
They found themselves down 8-7 at the half before Calgary's 25-year-old quarterback, Jake Maier, threw back-to-back touchdowns to Reggie Begelton in the third quarter to put his team in the driver's seat.
"What I like about Jake Meyer, is that every time he's come into the game, he's he's proven himself under pressure to get the job done. So I think for us in Calgary, the future is ours," said Bernie Morrison, linebacker for the Stampeders from 1978 to 1988.
With the win, the Stampeders improved their record to seven wins, and four losses on the year.
But what's a Labour Day Classic without a solid tailgate party before kickoff?
For Dean Lang, the annual showdown is a must-attend tradition, and this year, it doubles as his 60th birthday celebration.
Lang and Morrison have been holding regular tailgate parties for about 20 years.
"These guys make it special, and it's just nice to be with family and friends," said Lang.
"It's a great day to be out here, and we're just loving it."
And their tailgate parties are more than just a fun get-together.
The group also raises money for the Prostaid Calgary Society, a support group for men and their families dealing with prostate cancer.
"We've been doing this for about 20 years. My wife Susan, her father passed away from prostate cancer," said Morrison.
"Over the course of about 20 years, just an informal tailgate party like this, where we just asked for whatever donations, we've raised about $150,000."
That money has gone a long way.
"They are raising thousands of dollars for us every year, and it's really appreciated," said Brad Sterling, President of Prostaid Calgary.
"The money helps us run the programs that we run to support men and their families on your prostate cancer journey."
Since they started raising funds, the group has donated more than $100,000.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.