Tag: Edmonton Elks

COVID-19 issues lead to CFL postponing game

The Edmonton Elks have COVID-19 issues and their game with Toronto has been postponed

The CFL lost its 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 campaign is underway and it has hit a major pothole.

The league announced Sunday the game between the Toronto Argonauts and Edmonton Elks scheduled for Thursday has been postponed.

“The Canadian Football League is postponing this Thursday’s game in Toronto between the Toronto Argonauts and Edmonton Elks after receiving word earlier today that a number of Elks players have tested positive for COVID-19. This is in keeping with the standard of care for COVID-19 and professional sport. It also reflects our desire to put the health and safety of our players, coaches and staff – as well as public health – above all other considerations.”

The Elks are 1-2 after three games while the Argos have a 2-1 record.

Per CFL.ca:

The Elks will not practice or travel until our Chief Medical Officers and public health officials have assured us it is safe for them to do so. All of the Elks’ Tier One personnel, including players, coaches and support staff will now be subjected to an enhanced testing protocol which includes isolation.

The Elks’ most recent opponent, the BC Lions, will participate in an enhanced protocol and will be monitored closely this week. Upon review with our Chief Medical Officers, we do not believe the Lions were exposed to a high risk of infection. The league is now working to reschedule the game between the Elks and the Argonauts.

Elks players have already been impacted by COVID-19 protocols

Offensive tackle SirVincent Rogers cleared protocols. Linebacker Brian Walker played in Thursday’s 21-16 win over the B.C. Lions, having cleared protocols. Star pass-rusher Kwaku Boateng missed the game due to COVID protocols.

 

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 …