The Stampeders new additions are fully embracing the Calgary spirit, wasting no time donning the classic ‘White Hat’ after Saturday’s pre-season win over their provincial rival Edmonton Elks.
Receiver Dominique Rhymes and linebacker Marquel Lee sported the Cowtown look in their post-game interviews thanks to teammate Gary Johnson Jr., who started passing the hats around.
“So, I got the hat started right now,” said Johnson Jr., who signed with the team as an off-season addition on Feb. 13. “I told them, ‘Hey, you got to be a Stampeder, you got to have your hat and your shades.’”
oh its a vibe pic.twitter.com/IVPZMS18YA
— Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) May 25, 2025
The renowned attire dates back to 1948, when 250 Stamps fans wore their Smithbuilt white hats to the 36thGrey Cup championship in Toronto. The story goes that many Calgarians gave their hats to Torontonians whom they befriended at the event, including Robert Hood Saunders, Toronto’s mayor at the time. The 1948 Grey Cup caused the Calgary White Hat to be regarded as a symbol of the city’s hospitality.
The Red and White completed the only perfect season in CFL history that year by defeating the Ottawa Rough Riders 12-7 for their first Grey Cup victory.
Seven-year veteran Reggie Begelton, who’s spent his entire CFL career in Calgary, is excited to see his new teammates embracing Calgary’s western identity.
“It’s part of the team-oriented aspect of everything, so why not do it?” said Begelton. “Especially guys who’ve been around the league and they can finally wear a cowboy hat, let’s have some fun with it right?”
Fans can join in on the cowboy look when the Stampeders host their inaugural Stampede Bowl against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday, July 3.
The contest kicks off the historic Calgary Stampede festival and also features Bret Michaels – multi-platinum music icon and frontman of the legendary rock band Poison – who will perform at halftime.
It’s been nothing but a good time so far this year at training camp in Calgary and the fun doesn’t stop at hats and boots.
An upgraded player’s lounge and the addition of a ping pong table in the locker-room are just a couple examples of how the team has bonded over the last two-and-a-half weeks.
“From what I see, I see a lot of guys in there,” said Johnson Jr. “Even when we got 30 minutes or an hour break, I see a lot of dudes in there sitting down, playing games, watching highlights, watching football. It’s good to have so that guys don’t have to leave and go home. They can sit and bond with each other.”
“It gives us something to do, it gives us a way to interact, it’s a cheat code,” Begelton echoed. “I’m trying to get a cornhole set up in there so we can have that, too. I feel like I could start some tournaments, but we’ll see where that goes.”
It’s all good vibes in the Stampeders locker-room and Begelton is happy to keep up the positive energy.
“Everybody’s being genuine,” he explained. “When you got a bunch of veterans in there, everybody knows who they are.
“They’re not trying to front anybody, and we’re just trying to make it fun. We’re all grateful to be here, and that’s the key to having a lot of vets. We’re grateful to be here because we know that tomorrow isn’t promised.”
Training Camp continues for the Stampeders until the end of the week, then the team will have to make some roster moves in accordance with the league’s roster-deadline mandate.
Calgary faithful can meet the official 2025 Stampeders team for free at Fan Fest on Saturday, May 31 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at McMahon Stadium.
