BC Lions Redblacks controversy
The Ottawa Redblacks suffered a tough loss after a strong first half, falling to the BC Lions 45-24. This has been a very tough season for the Redblacks, and the BC Lions figured the best thing to do was add some more salt to the wound of their fanbase. I want to state that I respect what BC is doing with their socials and trying to grow not only their own following, but the CFL as a whole. Amar Doman is a great owner and he has done a lot of great things to improve fan engagement in BC.
But I want to take a look at two posts that really just rubbed me the wrong way.
The fake “sympathy” statement
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Look, I’m all for trash talk. I actually think the CFL needs more of it. Have some fun, make some memes and take some shots at the other team. That’s sports. It creates bigger moments on social media and drives engagement, something this league definitely needs! This hits even harder when it’s a rivalry game. Toronto vs. Hamilton or Winnipeg vs. Saskatchewan are perfect examples. Those fanbases already don’t like each other, so having the teams go back and forth on social media only adds more fuel to the rivalry and gives fans something else to talk about. But my issue with this post is why go after the fans?
And again, I’m not against what BC is doing on social media. I actually like a lot of it. Keep pushing things, keep having fun and keep getting people talking about the CFL. I just think there is a line, and for me, this crossed it. |
They Did the Dub Video Anyway!
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Video: BC Lions | Source: BC Lions (@BCLions) |
So, you put out a statement trolling that you’re not going to make the normal “win cam” video. Then you turn around and MAKE THE DAMN VIDEO! I have no issue with this video at all. Every team does stuff like this after a win. Celebrate the win, have some fun with it and even take the odd shot at the other team in the video. No issues at all. Honestly, I think we need more of that around the CFL. But this is where I have an issue. You put out a fake sympathy statement talking about the Redblacks fanbase and their “well-being,” say you’re not going to post the normal win video, and then basically turn around and post it anyway. If you just posted the video, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it. It’s a normal post after a win and something we see all the time. But when you put the statement out first and then follow it up with this, it just makes the whole thing feel worse to me. The video isn’t my problem here. It’s the statement before it and making the fans part of the joke that just doesn’t sit right with me. |
BC Lions Redblacks Controversy: Did BC Cross the Line? BC Lions’ Posts Spark Mixed Reactions Across X
As seen on X, it was a real mixed bag of thoughts on this post. Some CFL media members and even other sports reporters seemed to feel like BC might have crossed the line with this one. One X user simply told the Lions to “Delete this,” while others called the post classless or questioned if it was really that funny.
On the other side, there were also lots of people who loved it. Some thought it was hilarious, some loved the trash talk and others didn’t think it was in poor taste at all.
And look, that’s sports. We are not all going to agree on everything. What I think crosses the line, someone else might think is hilarious. That’s completely fine.
For me, though, I keep coming back to the same thing. Have fun, talk your trash and take your shots at the other team. I actually want more of that in the CFL. I just don’t think the fans needed to be part of the joke.
Was This in Bad Taste?
For me, yeah, I think it was. Look, if this was against a team like Saskatchewan, who has taken shots at BC before, I probably look at it differently. The Riders literally put “It’s Our Time” on their Grey Cup rings, quoting BC quarterback Nathan Rourke after beating the Lions in their own Grey Cup. That’s a direct shot. So if BC wants to fire back at Saskatchewan after something like that, go for it. That’s two teams going back and forth, and honestly, I love that stuff. Even if this was more of a shot at the Redblacks themselves, I really wouldn’t have had an issue with it. Make fun of them for being 0-11. Make fun of how they played in the second half. Take a shot at the players or the team. That’s all fair game IMO.
Even the win cam video by itself doesn’t bother me. But putting out the fake sympathy statement, making the fans part of the joke, saying you’re not going to do the normal win video and then turning around and doing it anyway? Come on. That’s where you lose me.
I’m not saying BC needs to stop having fun on social media. Actually, I want the complete opposite. Keep making memes. Keep talking trash. Keep giving CFL fans something to talk about. I think the league needs MORE of that. But there is still a line.
For me, this one was classless and just wasn’t needed. You can have fun with a win without taking a shot at a fanbase that continues to show up and support an 0-11 football team. And the funny thing is, these two teams aren’t done with each other yet.
Ottawa gets another shot at BC on October 9 at BC Place. After everything that happened on and off the field in this one, something tells me that rematch just got a little more interesting.
Want More on This Game?
Want to hear our full thoughts on Ottawa falling to 0-11, the BC Lions’ win and everything that happened in this game? Check out the full Redblacks vs. Lions postgame show from The Analyst Desk.
