We asked Stampeders to tell us their favourite memories about the Labour Day Classic at McMahon Stadium and they delivered some excellent stories. From big games and big plays to more personal reasons, we heard some great tales.
Here now are some of those recollections. Here’s to more great memories in the making in 2011 and beyond!
Going with my son for his birthday. He got pre-game sideline passes and a SWAG bag and the jet flyover scared the heck out of him. Oh, and the Stamps won!
— Jennifer Spackman Vasseur
I have watched lots with my grandfather but the most memorable was a couple years ago when I took my then 11-year-old son, my sister and sister-in-law. We tailgated with our other brother-in-law and just watched Stamps win against the Esks (as usual). LOL
— Lana Dunlop-Lane
Going down on the field in 2004 when we had the extra seats and doing the punt return challenge and getting hit in the head wit the football in front of my whole family.
— Shelton Nephin
Wearing the black jerseys out for the first time in the Early 90s and CRUSHING the Eskies.. GOOD TIMES – that has to win the tickets give me up!
— Bruce Covernton
I agree with Bruce. That was the game Flutie started, played a down and then Garcia took over. I remember Edmonton was so injured they literally had people limping on the field trying to cover receivers.
— Brent Piaskoski
It’ll be tough to top my first one I’ve attended. In 1995, Doug Flutie first ran a running play with his bad elbow. Was a surprise to see him starting, but might of thrown the Eskimos off. Only was the holder on field goals and point afters the last few games due to his bad elbow. After the first offensive play, Jeff Garcia took over and threw 5 TDs and over 500 yards for what I think is still the best quarterback performance on Labour Day. Felt at ease after that game because the 1995 season looked doomed after Doug Flutie’s tendinitis in his elbow prevented him from playing quarterback until the playoffs. It was Jeff Garcia’s coming-out party and proved he was something after a great game the week before as the starter. The benefits of having season tickets is a guarantee of being at the Labour Day game.
— Brett Hornby
Jeremaine Copeland’s one-handed TD catch was on Labour Day, right?
— Jarrett Gauthier
Selling 50/50 tickets with my son’s Bantam team.
— Sheila Frechette
Growing up in Grande Prairie with my brothers, we always watched the Labour day game surrounded by family. We would always be gathered around the TV, with the coffee table covered in chips and snacks. One of the best family events year in and year out.
— Rick Simigan
When the Stamps almost always win. Keep it up!
— Justin Raymond Otto Schenk
When I was eight years old, I went to the 1995 game. I was supposed to go with my dad but work came into play so my mom took me instead which was great accept for the fact that she had a tough time explaining the game to me so finally after the first quarter of confusion, an older man beside decided to help me out and he did such a great job and it was such an amazing game with all the action that year I was a Stampeders and Canadian football fan for life! That’s my favourite moment.
— Dallen J Jacobsen
My birthday is always labor day weekends. I always have two reasons to celebrate.
— Christina Tinùviel
My dad and me always watched the Labour Day game together and cheered Calgary all the way. Now, dad is gone and last year, I took my family to the game. Was the BEST! and I wish to continue with this because dad would be there. GO STAMPS GO!
— Bonnie Baker
Every Labour Day game is the highlight of the year, but I would say the game in ’07. It was a raucous crowd and a great game!
— David Remick
Greg Knox’s safety blitz sack levelling Damon Allen from behind in mid nineties. Never seen a QB hit so hard. (Fumble then picked up by Stamps and in for six)
— Gord Fry
I went to my first football game when I was 1 and it was a Labour Day game! I’ve been a Stamps fan ever since!
— Maria Overbeck
I’ve got to say last year at 52-5. We crushed them so soundly that they looked lifeless by the third quarter.
— Brian Thomas
When I was a kid, my Mom and Dad were huge football fans (I guess it’s in the genes). Dad would drive us up to Red Deer to watch the game if he couldn’t get tickets because it was always blacked out in Calgary. Loved watching the game with my Dad and our family – even if some of them were loudmouth Eskimo fans. Didn’t always make it home the same day but it was always fun!
— Sheryn Sparks
Doug Flutie – screwed up wing et al comes out for one play, the crowd goes NUTS – He’s not supposed to be playing! Hands off, runs off the field for his awaiting operation. Jeff Garcia, second stringer, didn’t have a lot of playing time so the crowd is hoping that we can just hold on and keep the score respectable. Well, he frickin’ LIGHTS UP the place laying an EPIC smackdown on the Eskies.
— Geo_Jones_Dog on Go Stamps Go forum
My son was just 21 days old when he attended his first of what will be many Labour Day games in 2009. Slept all the way through the first and second halves only waking at halftime for a feeding.
— RadioRyan on Go Stamps Go forum
Last year, if memory serves correctly, was the widest LD margin of victory. I love the close ones, but I like a good beatdown, too.
— zBrain on Go Stamps Go forum
Labour Day 1995 – Garcia throwing for 546 yards and six touchdowns. Watching the bad blood start to boil and chatter start in warm ups is half the fun.
— Superman 31 on Go Stamps Go forum
’03 Labour Day. Heavily favoured Esks get stunned. I still remember that James Hundon TD return.
— Mathgod on Go Stamps Go forum
Most have been covered already, but I also recall when Ryckman said he had a surprise for everyone, and the Stamps came out in the original black jerseys/red pants. 1993, I think. Long before the Internet or things like these were leaked out by the league or team, so it caught everyone off guard.
— browna on Go Stamps Go forum
Another Labour Day memory is in 2003, with the bench-clearing brawl and all the helmets coming off and being swung around. I thought for sure a hockey game was going to break out.
— Peter Liske on Go Stamps Go forum