Argos Begin Life a BMOField!

Toronto – It’s taken us this long to come down from the highs and lows of the first week of the 2016 CFL Season.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.

The most famous quote from a Tale of Two Cities perfectly illustrated the pure joy of the ups and the bitter disappointment of the downs. Obviously we stretched the context but it fits never the less.

The opening day the season set a tone off the field that field that has not been seen in this city for Football since the 2012 Grey Cup Week. From the Shipyard to the Tailgate, the perfect weather to the pristine surface at BMO Field and the pure energy in the stadium, everything went off just everyone hoped.

The Shipyard kicked off the day with a free concert from the Strumbellas and Kardinal Offishall

Now THIS is how you kick off the football season! #Argos #CFLKickoff #CFLGameDay @TorontoArgos pic.twitter.com/db3A7XRhzp

— Jackie Perez (@JackiePerez_) June 23, 2016

The tailgate was in full swing with lots of Double Blue Pride.

THIS is ARGOS FOOTBALL #CFLKickoff #WWMO pic.twitter.com/cdoDvID5AR

— Brian P 45 (@BrianP45) June 23, 2016

TSNs Cabbie even brought a Monster Truck with him

And everyone needs to meet Tori Gurleys Grandpa. he’s officially everyone’s PawPaw now.

You could even see Ticats and Argos fans enjoying a cold $4 Beer with each other. The Argos game day crew went all out, turning the red seats blue and branding the East Side with the Iconic white Argos A.

Yup back on the map in TO. @ArgosAdmirals @TorontoArgos #Argos pic.twitter.com/UvQ9ABcdyq

— Peter T. Kourtis (@PTKsportsdude) June 23, 2016

Argos and Ticats fans a like were equally impressed with the stadium and the atmosphere it generated. While walking around the stadium I over heard one fan say “There was something just perfect about this stadium for the Argos”

Here we go! Crazy energy at BMO Field! #Argos #Ticats #CFLKickoff pic.twitter.com/6NGKn75ijU

— CFL Fans in Toronto (@CFLFansToronto) June 24, 2016

You can’t forget the Argos greats Damon Allen, Raghib “Rocket” Ismail, Joe Theisman and of course Michael “Pinball” Clemons, because what great moment in Toronto Argonauts history would be complete without Pinner. Not only were they there for the kickoff but they even partook in some tailgaiting.

Is there anyone with more energy than Pinball?
Answer: nope!

Thursday’s coin toss will give you all the feels.https://t.co/UpAGyzY00U

— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) June 26, 2016

The game did not produce the outcome we were hoping for, as the Argos fell to the Ticats 42 to 20. The boys in double blue made it a game in the the 3rd quarter when Ricky Ray connected with Vidal Hazelton twice in under 4 minutes. But ultimately the game belonged to Hamilton.

The fourth quarter saw the black and gold pull away and put the win out of reach, but that was the last thing on peoples minds when with 5 minutes left in  the final frame Jermaine Gabriel collided with Matt Black while covering a kick and had to be carried out on a stretcher.  All this was done as a precaution and thankfully Jermaine has been cleared from all major injuries and will make a full recovery.

Not the start we were hoping for from the team, but what a start for the new home of the Toronto Argonauts.

The Argos are in action this Thursday in Regina to take on the Roughriders and return home to welcome the REDBLACKS on Wednesday July 13 at 7:30 PM.