'It means a lot': Calgarian Adelodun relishing Surge game during Calgary Stampede
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So the pomp and pageantry — along with the cowboy sizzle — surrounding 'The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth' doesn't faze the Calgary native and professional basketball talent.
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But ask his Calgary Surge teammate Javonte Brown — a big city kid from out east —about the spectacle that is the Stampede, and it's quite a different take.
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'I'm not gonna lie,' admitted Brown, standing with Adelodun amidst a western-garbed sea of people at the Stampede grounds. 'It completely caught me off-guard. Like it's a lot of people. It's huge — it's all over the city.
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He'll likely love it even more come Wednesday night during Surge2Stampede — a home Canadian Elite Basketball League contest for Brown, Adelodun and the Surge hosted in collaboration with the Calgary Stampede at Scotiabank Saddledome.
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Indeed, the Surge (9-5) take on the visiting Montreal Alliance (6-7) with thousands of Stampeding Calgarians expected to take in the CEBL showcase at the Dome (7:30 p.m., TSN).
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'It means a lot,' said Adelodun, a graduate of Bishop O'Byrne Senior High School in the city's southwest.
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'I remember when I was younger with my mom and my brother going to watch a Calgary Flames game.
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So to be able to play in that arena is really interesting.
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'You know … it's a big opportunity. I'm really excited.'
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Last year, the Surge drew a league-record 12,327 fans to the home of the hockey Flames in a one-off game.
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But this year's first of two Dome home tilts for the Calgary club gets the backing of the Stampede, with the likelihood of a dang fine walk-up crowd helping to fill seats on Family Day at the midway.
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'Stampede is a staple in Calgary,' said 22-year-old Adelodun. 'When I was younger, I used to just always come here with my family.
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'My main thing is the food — I've got a lot of interest in the food here,' continued Adelodun. 'But … really … it's just the atmosphere here — you see the cowboys, you see the rodeo and all that. It's just a lot of stuff that you can really just get into and is just really interesting.
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'So it is just kind of cool being able to know that I'll play in front of everyone in the Calgary Stampede.'
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Toronto Sun
20 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Many CFL teams enter week with questions at quarterback position
Published Jul 22, 2025 • 4 minute read Ottawa Redblacks wide receiver Jaelon Acklin (23) taps quarterback Dru Brown (3) on the head after Brown was injured during first half CFL action against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Ottawa, on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. Photo by Spencer Colby / The Canadian Press The bye week comes at an opportune time for Dru Brown and the Ottawa Redblacks. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Ottawa (1-6) will have time to recover from its 30-15 loss Sunday to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Redblacks, who have now dropped four straight, resume play July 31 hosting the Calgary Stampeders (5-1). The time off should especially benefit Brown. He was forced from Sunday's game in the second quarter after taking a hard hit from Hamilton's DaShaun Amos, who came clean off the edge on a blitz. Replays showed Amos struck the bottom of Brown's facemask with the crown of his helmet. Brown's helmet flew off, though his chinstrap wasn't fully secured. Brown left the game and didn't return. Amos received a 25-yard penalty for roughing the passer. Brown was replaced by Dustin Crum, who finished 16-of-22 passing for 149 yards and an interception while rushing six times for 43 yards. He completed six-of-eight attempts for 66 yards and an interception before leaving the contest. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Brown had missed three previous starts this season with a hip injury. Ottawa's lone win, a 20-12 decision over Calgary on June 21, came with Crum under centre. Read More But at least Brown has time to recover. Many other CFL teams enter the week with questions at quarterback as they prepare for upcoming games. Davis Alexander's quest for a record-setting ninth straight win to start a CFL career is on hold. The Montreal Alouettes placed the 26-year-old American on the six-game injured list after he aggravated a hamstring ailment in their 26-25 comeback win over the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday night. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Alexander's 10-yard TD run late in the fourth quarter capped Montreal's comeback from a 25-7 deficit. But as he scored, Alexander grabbed the back of his leg. He remained on the field for Montreal's unsuccessful two-point convert attempt. Alexander had just returned after missing the Alouettes previous two contests with the injury. With Alexander out, veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson is expected to again be Montreal's starter after serving in that capacity during Alexander's two-game absence. The Alouettes visit Calgary (5-1) on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Chad Kelly watch in Toronto continues. The CFL's outstanding player in 2023 hasn't played this season as he recovers from a leg injury suffered in last year's East Division final. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Kelly was again a limited practice participant Tuesday. Nick Arbuckle, who earned MVP honours in Toronto's 2024 Grey Cup victory over Winnipeg, has started all six of the Argos' regular-season contests in 2025. Arbuckle has completed 150-of-210 passes (71.4%) for 1,691 yards with nine TDs and eight interceptions but has been sacked a CFL-high 16 times this season. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Toronto (1-5) has dropped two straight games. Its offence stands eighth in net yards (308 per game) and last in both rushing (46.7 yards) and most sacks allowed (16). Toronto hosts Winnipeg (3-2) on Saturday night and it looks like the Argos will face Bombers starter Zach Collaros. Collaros left Winnipeg's 41-20 loss last week to Calgary with a upper-body injury. On Tuesday, the 36-year-old was a full participant in practice with what the Bombers listed as a neck ailment. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Collaros had completed eight-of-11 passes for 151 yards with a TD and two interceptions versus Calgary. He was replaced by veteran Chris Streveler. Collaros missed Winnipeg's season-opening 34-20 win over B.C. due to suspension. Streveler threw for 246 yards and three TDs with an interception in that contest. And in Edmonton, incumbent Tre Ford and veteran backup Cody Fajardo split starting reps in practice. The Elks (1-4) come off the bye week preparing to visit Saskatchewan (5-1) on Friday night. Ford, of Niagara Falls, has started all five of Edmonton's game thus far. The six-foot, 192-pound Ford has completed 82-of-121 passes (67.8%) for 984 yards with five TDs and three interceptions while rushing 16 times for 152 yards (9.5-yard average) and a touchdown. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Edmonton stands eighth in offensive points scored (22 per game) and is tied for last with Ottawa in offensive TDs (12). The Elks sport the CFL's fourth-best ground game (106.8 yards per game) but are last in passing (218.2) and net offence (300.2 yards). Most teams have had to deal with quarterback questions as Ford, Arbuckle, Hamilton's Bo Levi Mitchell and Calgary's Vernon Adams Jr. are the only ones to have started all of their teams' games. Yet the league's overall quarterback rating is 97.4 compared to 96.9 last season and 93.9 in 2023. And over the last three weeks, CFL teams are averaging a combined 765 net offensive yards per game. Overall, this season's average is 729 yards, down from 733 in 2024 but ahead of 702 in 2023. CFL teams are also scoring an average of 53 points per game, up 2.3% from 2024. Canada Columnists Celebrity Olympics Entertainment
National Post
20 hours ago
- National Post
Many CFL teams enter week with questions at quarterback position
The bye week comes at an opportune time for Dru Brown and the Ottawa Redblacks. Article content Ottawa (1-6) will have time to recover from its 30-15 loss Sunday to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Redblacks, who have now dropped four straight, resume play July 31 hosting the Calgary Stampeders (5-1). Article content Article content The time off should especially benefit Brown. He was forced from Sunday's game in the second quarter after taking a hard hit from Hamilton's DaShaun Amos, who came clean off the edge on a blitz. Article content Replays showed Amos struck the bottom of Brown's facemask with the crown of his helmet. Brown's helmet flew off, though his chinstrap wasn't fully secured. Article content Brown left the game and didn't return. Amos received a 25-yard penalty for roughing the passer. Article content Brown was replaced by Dustin Crum, who finished 16-of-22 passing for 149 yards and an interception while rushing six times for 43 yards. He completed six-of-eight attempts for 66 yards and an interception before leaving the contest. Article content Brown had missed three previous starts this season with a hip injury. Ottawa's lone win, a 20-12 decision over Calgary on June 21, came with Crum under centre. Article content But at least Brown has time to recover. Many other CFL teams enter the week with questions at quarterback as they prepare for upcoming games. Article content Davis Alexander's quest for a record-setting ninth straight win to start a CFL career is on hold. The Montreal Alouettes placed the 26-year-old American on the six-game injured list after he aggravated a hamstring ailment in their 26-25 comeback win over the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday night. Article content Alexander's 10-yard TD run late in the fourth quarter capped Montreal's comeback from a 25-7 deficit. But as he scored, Alexander grabbed the back of his leg. Article content Article content He remained on the field for Montreal's unsuccessful two-point convert attempt. Alexander had just returned after missing the Alouettes previous two contests with the injury. Article content With Alexander out, veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson is expected to again be Montreal's starter after serving in that capacity during Alexander's two-game absence. The Alouettes visit Calgary (5-1) on Thursday night. Article content Meanwhile, the Chad Kelly watch in Toronto continues. The CFL's outstanding player in 2023 hasn't played this season as he recovers from a leg injury suffered in last year's East Division final. Article content Kelly was again a limited practice participant Tuesday. Article content Nick Arbuckle, who earned MVP honours in Toronto's 2024 Grey Cup victory over Winnipeg, has started all six of the Argos' regular-season contests in 2025. Arbuckle has completed 150-of-210 passes (71.4%) for 1,691 yards with nine TDs and eight interceptions but has been sacked a CFL-high 16 times this season.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Many CFL teams enter the week with questions at quarterback position
The bye week comes at an opportune time for Dru Brown and the Ottawa Redblacks. Ottawa (1-6) will have time to recover from its 30-15 loss Sunday to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Redblacks, who have now dropped four straight, resume play July 31 hosting the Calgary Stampeders (5-1). The time off should especially benefit Brown. He was forced from Sunday's game in the second quarter after taking a hard hit from Hamilton's DaShaun Amos, who came clean off the edge on a blitz. Ottawa Redblacks wide receiver Jaelon Acklin (23) taps quarterback Dru Brown (3) on the head after Brown was injured during first half CFL action against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Ottawa, on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby Replays showed Amos struck the bottom of Brown's facemask with the crown of his helmet. Brown's helmet flew off, though his chinstrap wasn't fully secured. Brown left the game and didn't return. Amos received a Grade 2 25-yard penalty for roughing the passer. Brown was replaced by Dustin Crum, who finished 16-of-22 passing for 149 yards and an interception while rushing six times for 43 yards. He completed six-of-eight attempts for 66 yards and an interception before leaving the contest. Brown had missed three previous starts this season with a hip injury. Ottawa's lone win, a 20-12 decision over Calgary on June 21, came with Crum under centre. But at least Brown has time to recover. Many other CFL teams enter the week with questions at quarterback as they prepare for upcoming games. Davis Alexander's quest for a record-setting ninth straight win to start a CFL career is on hold. The Montreal Alouettes placed the 26-year-old American on the six-game injured list after he aggravated a hamstring ailment in their 26-25 comeback win over the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday night. Alexander's 10-yard TD run late in the fourth quarter capped Montreal's comeback from a 25-7 deficit. But as he scored, Alexander grabbed the back of his leg. He remained on the field for Montreal's unsuccessful two-point convert attempt. Alexander had just returned after missing the Alouettes previous two contests with the injury. With Alexander out, veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson is expected to again be Montreal's starter after serving in that capacity during Alexander's two-game absence. The Alouettes visit Calgary (5-1) on Thursday night. Meanwhile, in Toronto, the Chad Kelly watch continues. The CFL's outstanding player in 2023 hasn't played this season as he recovers from a leg injury suffered in last year's East Division final. Kelly was again a limited practice participant Tuesday. Nick Arbuckle, who earned MVP honours in Toronto's '24 Grey Cup victory over Winnipeg, has started all six of the Argos regular-season contests in 2025. Arbuckle has completed 150-of-210 passes (71.4 per cent) for 1,691 yards with nine TDs and eight interceptions but has been sacked a CFL-high 16 times this season. Toronto (1-5) has dropped two straight games. Its offence stands eighth in net yards (308 per game) and last in both rushing (46.7 yards) and most sacks allowed (16). Toronto hosts Winnipeg (3-2) on Saturday night and it looks like the Argos will face Bombers starter Zach Collaros. Collaros left Winnipeg's 41-20 loss last week to Calgary with a upper-body injury. On Tuesday, the 36-year-old was a full participant in practice with what the Bombers listed as a neck ailment. Collaros had completed eight-of-11 passes for 151 yards with a TD and two interceptions versus Calgary. He was replaced by veteran Chris Streveler. Collaros missed Winnipeg's season-opening 34-20 win over B.C. due to suspension. Streveler threw for 246 yards and three TDs with an interception in that contest. And in Edmonton, incumbent Tre Ford and veteran backup Cody Fajardo split starting reps in practice. The Elks (1-4) come off the bye week preparing to visit Saskatchewan (5-1) on Friday night. Ford, of Niagara Falls, Ont., has started all five of Edmonton's game thus far. The six-foot, 192-pound Ford has completed 82-of-121 passes (67.8 per cent) for 984 yards with five TDs and three interceptions while rushing 16 times for 152 yards (9.5-yard average) and a touchdown. Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Mike McIntyre | On Sports Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Edmonton stands eighth in offensive points scored (22.0 per game) and is tied for last with Ottawa in offensive TDs (12). The Elks sport the CFL's fourth-best ground game (106.8 yards per game) but are last in passing (218.2) and net offence (300.2 yards). Most teams have had to deal with quarterback questions as Ford, Arbuckle, Hamilton's Bo Levi Mitchell and Calgary's Vernon Adams Jr. are the only ones to have started all of their teams' games. Yet the league's overall quarterback rating is 97.4 compared to 96.9 last season and 93.9 in 2023. And over the last three weeks, CFL teams are averaging a combined 765 net offensive yards per game. Overall, this season's average is 729 yards, down from 733 in 2024 but ahead of 702 in 2023. CFL teams are also scoring an average of 53 points per game, up 2.3 per cent from 2024. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2025.
