Expect delay to start of CFL season

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This article was published 26/03/2020 (2025 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Nothing has been decided yet, but it’s hard to believe the 2020 CFL season will go ahead as originally planned.

On Tuesday, the league announced the Global Draft, which was set for April 16, will now coincide with the opening of training camps. It’s likely the first of several adjustments the CFL will be forced to make due to the growing concerns regarding COVID-19. Rookie camps are supposed to kick off on May 13 with training camps starting on May 17. Pre-season action begins May 24 and the regular season is scheduled to begin on June 11.

“I think everyone’s planning on there being a bit of a delay or postponement for us for sure,” said Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Andrew Harris.

“At this point right now, it’s about making sure everyone’s healthy and people are being cautious about their safety and their health. The biggest thing for me is to make sure I don’t pass this on to someone it could affect more or my daughter or anyone like that. At this point, we’re thinking about it, but we’re still a ways away from seeing how everything unfolds and at this point right now, it’s just about being responsible and what we can do to help this. We can use our voice in a positive way to make sure we’re helping our community, our loved ones and families to be smart about this.”

Whenever training camp happens, if at all, players are now faced with the challenge of getting into shape while staying at home. Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill usually works out at Altea Active in Bridgwater Centre, but now he’ll be relying on bodyweight exercises.

“Honestly, it’s not easy, but it’s definitely doable. It’s definitely not the most optimal situation, but you can make the best of it and make it work,” Bighill said. “I think everybody is going to be in the same boat, right? When it comes to when we’re able to get out to training camp and work together, it will push us even harder in camp. You got to do what you can when you can right now.”

Bighill remains hopeful that there will be a season, but it’s impossible to predict what it will look like.

“There are some things that remain to be seen, like how well we’ll be able to control the outbreak… Hopefully two weeks from now we’ll be able to say things are looking a lot different due to preventative measures,” said Bighill. “I’m confident that’s what we’re going to see and from there we’ll start to get a better idea where we’ll be season-wise and economy-wise.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31