Tag: Canadian Football League

CFL team renamed the Edmonton Elks

The CFL team in Edmonton has been renamed the Elks

The Edmonton team in the CFL has chosen its new nickname: the Elks.

The former nickname was the source of controversy and ownership decided last year to move on from it.

“This was a process that originally began back in early August of 2020 with an initial discussion around the possibilities,” Elks President Chris Presson said in a release. “Thanks to our wonderful fans and partners across the board for their input, dialogue, and debate. Re-branding a team is hard. Re-branding a team with 100 years of history is even more challenging and we worked hard to meld that history with something new and meaningful.”

And on Tuesday, the Edmonton Elks were born … along with helmets and merchandise.

A rival from Alberta fired the first shot:

Now all that has to happen is for the CFL, which scuttled its 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to play football in 2021.

Now about that NFL team in Washington …

Former Michigan State Football linebacker Chris Frey Jr. re-signs with Hamilton Tiger-Cats of CFL

Former Michigan State linebacker Chris Frey Jr. is heading back to the Canadian Football League in 2021.

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After an absence from the sport of football, former Michigan State Football linebacker Chris Frey returned to the gridiron in the Canadian Football League for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2019. It looks like his time on the field isn’t done yet, as he announced on New Year’s Day that he will be returning to the team in 2021.

Frey played four seasons with MSU from 2013-17, recording 193 tackles and 7 sacks over that time. He received a preseason tryout with the Carolina Panthers in 2018 before being cut and taking a brief hiatus from the sport.

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CFL postpones start of 2020 season until at least September

The Canadian Football League has decided to postpone the start of its 2020 regular season until at least September due to the pandemic.

The Canadian Football League, whose season normally kicks off in June, has decided to postpone the start until at least this September due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The CFL issued a statement on Wednesday, which reads in part:

“It now appears the earliest the CFL might return to play – for a shortened but meaningful season – is this September.

Of course, a final decision on whether that will indeed happen will depend on what governments tell us is safe for our players and fans.

But barring some huge development, like a vaccine for COVID-19, it now seems clear we can rule out playing games this summer. There are several reasons, including the continuing restrictions on assemblies, travel and border crossings. Notably, several provinces and municipalities have already decided to prohibit until September 1st, all sporting events featuring large gatherings.”

The NFL has not yet made any similar declarations, and in fact, some team facilities began to slowly open this week. With the start of the 2020 regular season still months away, the league has some time before any major decisions have to be made.

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Jaguars QB coach Scott Milanovich lands HC job for Edmonton Eskimos of CFL

Jags QB coach Scott Milanovich will be heading back to the CFL once the team’s season is over.

It’s a very strong possibility a lot of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ current coaching staff won’t be returning next season, but at least one member from the group already has worked lined up. Quarterbacks coach Scott Milanovich accepted an offer to go back to the Canadian football League and serve as the head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos when the Jags’ season is up.

Milanovich, 46, coached in the CFL before landing with the Jags in 2017. His most notable stop was with the Toronto Argonauts, where he was the head coach from 2012-16. In his first season there he was able to win the league’s equivalent to a Super Bowl, the Grey Cup, and was named the league’s head coach of the year as a result. Prior to that, he spent 2007-11 with the Montreal Alouettes as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for them. He also had stints with the Rhein Fire and Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe and the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders.

As a player, Milanovich was a backup quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three years (1996-99) to start his career. After his NFL career, he became a football journeyman playing with NFL Europe’s Berlin Thunder (2000), the XFL’s Los Angeles Xtreme (2001), the AFL’s Tampa Bay Storm (2002) and the Stampeders (2003).

Since joining the Jags’ staff, Milanovich was able to coach up Blake Bortles to an AFC Championship loss to the New England Patriots in 2017 and coached current starter Gardner Minshew II. Under his tutelage, Minshew was able to win six Rookie of the Week awards, a Rookie of the Month award in September and surpass the Jags’ rookie record for passing touchdowns (15). He also served as the Jags’ play caller last season when they fired offensive coordinator Nate Hackett.

UT News: November 21, 2019

UT News: November 21, 2019

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The Tennessee Volunteers basketball program — both men and women — remain unbeaten after after the guys handily defeated the Alabama State Hornets last night, keeping Vols athletics on its current roll. Coming up this weekend, the football team will get its chance to continue the winning trend when it faces the Missouri Tigers on the road, and the swimming and diving team hosts the Tennessee Invitational over the course of three days beginning today. There is plenty on tap as the week winds down for Vols fans, and the teams are ready.

Vols are practicing at their best

The biggest news on the gridiron has been the Vols’ preparation for what amounts to a must-win game if Tennessee wants to keep its bowl hopes alive. According to head coach Jeremy Pruitt, the boys are putting in the work, and it appears to be paying off.

“The last two days have been our best practices all year here in the season and I like the way we practice. Our guys seem to be gaining some confidence, and I’m talking about confidence in what they’re doing. That comes with age and experience. We’ve got to take it from the practice field and take it to a Saturday.”

Pruitt added that the bye week allowed players who have been banged up a little more time to get back up to speed.

“We got guys that our banged up from the last game, but having a week off we tried to get them ready to play, but at the same time use common sense. There might be a couple of guys that might be a little bit limited, but we should have everybody ready to play.”

This news should be extremely encouraging to Vols fans, as the team appears to be peaking as the season wanes. Hopefully, the fruits of UT’s labors will be reaped on Saturday.

NEXT: Lady Vols golf coach honored with award

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