Every year or so a bizarre play or rule from the professional ranks in Canada catches the attention of football fans here in the states and we're left in bewilderment.
Yesterday, in the CFL Western Division finals with a Grey Cup title on the horizon, Saskatchewan had two opportunities late in the game to score, but the Winnipeg defense came up with big stops each time.
The second time, with 4 seconds left in the game at the snap, following two failed attempts to get the ball across the goal line, the Winnipeg defense got some help from the goal post - which in Canada sit at the goal line of the 20-yard deep end zone.
The throw from the Roughriders looks like it has a chance to be completed, until it strikes the crossbar, sending it soaring incomplete. It marked the second trip inside the opponent's three yard line that the Riders left without adding any points to the board.
“That’s probably one of the craziest things I’ve ever had (happen),” Fajardo told Leader Post. “I just remember hitting that thing and the stadium was complete dead silence. I could just hear the echo of the iron when the ball hit it. It was just a rush of emotions.”
See the play below.
The Blue Bombers will move on to play the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 107th Grey Cup on November 24th. Congrats to coach Mike O'Shea and his staff, many of whom have stops in the NFL during their coaching journey, on the win and advancing.