2024 was a year full of CFL news, filled with fascinating stories and unprecedented developments.
The Toronto Argonauts suffered a tough off-season. Filled with sexual assault allegations against its star quarterbackjust to go and Win the Gray Cup with backup on topbc lions operated without regard to salary limit And gave rise to quarterback controversy which caused a coaching changeedmonton elks adopted private ownershipFuture Hall of Fame pass rusher slapped League’s first gambling suspensionand Commissioner Randy Ambrosie announced that he is stepping down,
3downnation All this and more was covered, creating our annual list of the top 10 stories of the year. Our loyal readers let us know with their clicks and comments what topics they really care about, and as always, this year’s list was pretty diverse.
As we wait for the ball to drop at midnight tonight, let’s take a look back at the year that was through our most popular articles.
10. Bombers’ RB Brady Oliveira turned down financial packages of $770,000 and $550,000 to stay in Winnipeg. by Justin Dunk
Fans love digging into the juicy financial details of CFL free agency, especially when players turn down more money to stay with their favorite team. Brady Oliveira did just that when he tested the open market last off-season, turning down big offers from both the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and BC Lions to run it back with the Blue Bombers. 3downnationExclusive reporting detailing exactly what each team offered and who caused the tire damage.
The hometown discount didn’t get off to a good start as Oliveira was hit hard in training camp. Vocal about being under-utilized to start the seasonEverything worked out well in the end, though, as the Winnipeg native became Fourth Canadian player to win the Most Outstanding Player Award,
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9. ‘My family was not being put first’: Darian Durant says conversation with unnamed coach led him to withdraw from Blue Bombers. by Justin Dunk
After several years in the shadows, Darian Durant stepped back into the CFL spotlight in 2024 by becoming a regular contributor on 620 CKRM radio in Regina. One of the first things the veteran Roughriders quarterback did was shed new light on his controversial decision to retire after signing with Winnipeg in 2018.
Durant alleged that he backed out of his deal after a phone conversation with an unnamed Bombers assistant, who told him that spending time with his newborn child was not as important. ‘Doubles’ felt differently and opted to take his $70,000 signing bonus with him to spend time with family.
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8. ‘This isn’t the NFL, I’m sorry’: Boomer Esiason doubles down on name-calling, CFL disrespect by John Hodge
The former NFL MVP publicly calling John Hodge a “snowflake” on the top-rated sports talk radio show in New York City wasn’t on our 2024 bingo card, but it still happened.
After Chris Streveler brought his talent back to Winnipeg After an extended NFL adventure, 3 downBombers columnist seizes opportunity To ask his opinion about the infamous play-by-play call Boomer Esiason made on his backside interception in 2021The resulting column returned to the broadcaster live on radio, where he doubled down on insulting the CFL and the author. Hodge’s response topped our charts for months, but like Esiason’s, it lost relevance once better options came along.
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7. The CFL fines four kickers for whistling on microchipped footballs, including the Bombers’ Sergio Castillo by John Hodge
The CFL season began with a spicy feud involving the unlikeliest of heroes: kickers. Winnipeg’s Sergio Castillo after missing two field goals in the Week 2 loss to Montreal Gave an emotional speech criticizing the decision to implant microchips in footballSeveral other experts rallied to his defense, complaining that the league did not listen to their concerns about accuracy and that the new technology resulted in foot injuries.
CFL reacted quickly Making microchipped footballs optional in the kicking game for the remainder of the season But the dissenting kickers were fined $250 each. Unfortunately for them, the punishment always gets more attention than the crime and the announcement of the modest fine has become one of our most read articles due to the outrage of fans. Leaving the door open for the technology’s return next year, the league office would be wise to leave this particular concept in the past.
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6. Elks’ QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson given third fine for ‘bringing the league into disrepute’ after criticizing CFL officiating. By Jesse Abbott
After a one-year hiatus in the USFL, McLeod Bethel-Thompson returned to the CFL in 2024 and he’s never stopped talking about it since entering Commonwealth Stadium. the first strange traveler When Edmonton had a short week in Week 4, it took aim at the league lead.then doubled in week 7 Blaming event-makers for home-grown injuries with Ottawa,
Both of those abuses resulted in fines, but McBeth’s best monologue came when the Elks were eliminated from the playoffs in Week 18. The 36-year-old criticized officials for using replay review to overturn a crucial Javon Leake catch on the goal line, This process displays a complete lack of understanding of the CFL’s replay review rulesFine number three was soon mailed by Ambrosie, this time using the much stronger language of “bringing the League into disrepute”.
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5. ‘I stand by what I said’: BC Lions QB Nathan Rourke doesn’t regret Chad Kelly’s harassment comments despite loss to Argos. By Jesse Abbott
Sexual harassment allegations against current MOP Chad Kelly, his subsequent suspension, and controversial return to the game Dominating the CFL discussion this yearWhile seven of those stories made our top 20 of the year Women’s CFL’s outrage And team staffOnly one cracked the top 10 thanks to a crossover with one of the league’s most famous personalities.
While he was still under contract in the NFL, Nathan Rourke became one of the first prominent voices To speak out about the league’s slow handling of Kelly’s investigationOnce he returned to BC, the Canadian QB found himself there Collision path with axis of Argos after suspension and chose to wear a shirt supporting the Lions’ anti-violence against women program before the matchup. This may have inspired Kelly and his Toronto teammates in BC’s 33–17 defeat, but Rourke stuck to his principles and doubled down on his criticism. Despite sitting on the bench at halftime in the loss,
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4. Amid Gray Cup festivities, Argos’ Ka’Deem Carey blames Dave Dickenson for the Stampeders’ demise by Justin Dunk
There’s nothing like an upset win in a championship game to get an athlete’s blood running hot and their lips loose. To run back Ka’Deem Carey, Happy to win the 111th Gray Cup He found the confidence to call his former head coach Dave Dickenson of the Calgary Stampeders to take that franchise to the CFL basement.
Along with leaving Carey, Dickenson’s roster decisions cost the Argos one-fifth of their roster. While Carey made the first attack, he was Far from the last player to take aim at Calgary. as soon as they finished In the bottom three of CFLPA’s inaugural report card.The team’s head coach and general manager managed to retain their positions despite missing out on the playoffs for the first time in 20 years. Some highly respected coaches have been removed To stay afloat.
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3. Canadian Nathan Rourke hits CFL QB market with BC Lions contract after NFL stint by Justin Dunk
Nathan Rourke’s rollercoaster NFL saga has left many of our readers exhausted He remains the number one traffic generator in the CFLAppeared twice in this list for the second consecutive year. After the Victoria, BC native shocked many analysts by returning to the BC Lions mid-season, Justin Dunk revealed all the details on the contract that will make him the highest-paid player ever in the league for the next two seasons Will give.
Unfortunately, the Lions did not get an immediate return on their investment in the form of Rourke. Canadian sport struggles to readjustthe teams Locker room dynamics also suffered Once Vernon Adams Jr. was healthy and Rourke Eventually replaced to enter the playoffsVA could not save the sinking ship and Was traded to Calgary at the beginning of the offseasonWhile the Lions brought in a new head coach To try to get their homegrown superstar back on track,
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2. CFL reviewing credentialing policy after ‘inexcusable’ incident at Ottawa Redblacks game By Jesse Abbott
There’s no rest for the wicked – or John Hodge. What was supposed to be a quiet mid-season break with a TD Place excursion turned into one of the most exciting games of the year, forcing our Winnipeg reporter to get out of his comfort zone to get the details firsthand. Physical altercation on the sideline between Ottawa head coach Bob Dias and an unknown intruder At the end of the game. The following day the CFL officially investigated, which revealed that the man was authorized to be at field level, but that he interacted with the Redblacks’ bench in an “inappropriate and inexcusable manner”.
There is a lot unknown regarding this incident but it was far from the only crazy thing that happened that night. A controversial command center decision The result was tied 22–22, after the Saskatchewan Roughriders won the game in double overtime. Debate rages over use of replay review and in CFL Forcing the league to refocus its policy. After public outcry.
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1. Two-time Gray Cup winner Maven Maurer is embracing life as the first openly transgender former pro football player By Jesse Abbott
Let’s be honest, our job of writing about football is literally fun and games most of the time but sometimes, we get to do something that really matters. 3downnation Had the privilege of being the first to tell the story of former fullback Maven Maurer, who officially acknowledged his status as the first openly transgender former player in the history of pro football – NFL or CFL.
The former Gray Cup Most Valuable Canadian lent his voice to fans to provide education and inspiration to other athletes who may be struggling with their identity, receiving support from across the country. Several other major media outlets soon picked up the story but the original article continued to garner attention and became one of the most read articles in the website’s history.
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