Why a TSN personality went off script and ripped CFL as 'hot garbage'
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I first met Luke Willson when he was playing in the NFL as a promising tight end with the Seattle Seahawks.
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The initial impression was that the LaSalle, Ont., native was a well-spoken and thoughtful observer of the game that was his profession.
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When Willson retired from his playing days and had the opportunity to talk about and analyze the game for TSN, he quickly became an insightful broadcaster with personality and thus the network wisely jumped on that considerable upside and increased his profile.
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The next act may be the most profound yet for the unique football mind and personality.
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Assigned as a regular to the network's Friday Night Football CFL telecasts this season, to say Willson has made a massive impact just weeks into the role is an understatement. It started with a promise to 'to be honest and tell the truth about the CFL' and the former Super Bowl champ hasn't backed down.
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The most bombastic comments came off air and online this week when Willson was adamant that despite the thrilling finish in a Saskatchewan Roughriders /Toronto Argonauts game at BMO Field, the CFL game is flawed.
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'If the goal is to grow the game and attract a younger demographic, the on field product of the Sask/Toronto game is just not going to cut it,' Willson wrote on X. 'That game was hot garbage.'
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I told you I would be honest and tell the truth about the CFL.
If the goal is to grow the game and attract a younger demographic, the on field product of the Sask/Toronto game is just not going to cut it. That game was hot garbage…Let me be clear in saying that I don't think…
— Luke Willson (@LWillson_82) June 22, 2025
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Later in the lengthy post, Willson ripped the penalties called, referred to elements of the contest as 'junk football' and outlined in detail why he felt that way.
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Predictably, in the moments (and days) following Willson's blunt version of his truth, the sensitivity of CFL apologists was exposed. He was dismissed as a hater of the Canadian game because he played in the NFL (untrue) and that he wanted to see it die (absurd given he coaches a team in London, Ont.)
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'I log onto socials after the game and it's tweet after tweet about how AMAZING the CFL is because of the kick return ending,' Willson posted. 'Even articles and podcasts declaring the CFL's greatness. It's bold face lies.
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