Sometimes, the best combinations are the ones you’d least expect.
Attending the 1990 Western Final at McMahon Stadium was intended to be a casual outing for Dave Smith but, much to his surprise, that fateful playoff date over a quarter-century ago was the start of something special.
“I moved about two weeks earlier from Toronto,” expressed Smith. “It was actually (with) my boss who moved out to Calgary with me but he had moved out a year earlier. I was kind of an Argos fan. I had been in Toronto all my life. (But) instantly, I started enjoying the Stamps.”
What may be even more surprising than his serendipitous support of the Stampeders was the fact it originated despite Calgary’s season abruptly concluding that day with a 43-23 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos. The Stamps, led by a first-year head coach in Wally Buono, also had another member of eventual CFL supremacy on their coaching staff in offensive coordinator John Hufnagel.
Yet despite the shortfall on the scoreboard, it was the Red and White in the stands that made an irrefutable impact on him.
“I think it was just the atmosphere,” Smith asserted. “I had been to a few Argos games, and sitting in the SkyDome was kind of boring actually. The atmosphere (at McMahon) was great, the crowd was really loud and I loved watching (quarterback) Danny Barrett at the time. It just seemed to be so exciting.”
With the opportunity to attend another Western Final in less than two weeks’ time, Smith plans on once again experiencing the indescribable playoff rush.
“We try to make a few games a year,” indicated Smith, who regularly sets aside time in his busy schedule to support his favourite football squad. “I usually take my family and I’ll take coworkers as well. I think it’s great entertainment and it’s great family entertainment. The fans in the stadium are filled with excitement. Fans are louder and more into the game (during the playoffs). In the air, there’s just more intensity.”
Hoping to inspire other first-time spectators to encounter post-season for themselves, Smith is eagerly anticipating a potential 10th win at home in 2016 that would punch the Stampeders’ ticket to the 104th Grey Cup.
“It doesn’t matter who we’re playing, we’re going to make it,” Smith declared. “I’m just a little worried of a couple of them having three or four weeks off, but other than that we’ll definitely be the superior team this year.”
Be at McMahon on Sunday, Nov. 20 and create one more memory. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m.
