Labour Day Classic Extra Special for Hometown Kid

Makayla Berze

It’s the game every Calgarian has circled on their calendar.

Now, it’s finally here: The Labour Day Classic.

Nick Statz has a unique history with the annual tilt.

He’s experienced the game both as a fan selling 50/50 tickets and taking in the atmosphere from the stands, and as a player on the field.

It’s an event he’s attended since childhood and now the Calgary product will be dressing for the third LDC game of his pro football career.

“Labour Day is a really cool experience for all the players but especially for hometown kids,” he said. “I’m so thankful I get to do what I do.

“When you’re younger you dream about playing in the CFL and I’m so happy to be playing for my hometown and have my family and friends to come out and watch me every week.

“It’s definitely a special experience that I don’t take for granted and it’s a pleasure to keep playing here. Obviously, Labour Day is a huge game for the city and a huge game for our team.

“It’s just a great environment to come out and play in.”

The Labour Day Classic is a game players and fans alike get hyped for regardless of who’s where in the standings, but this season’s game means more than it has in recent years, with the Edmonton Elks hot on Calgary’s tail.

With Canadian QB Tre Ford taking over for the Green and Gold in Week 10, the provincial rivals have orchestrated back-to-back wins, including their first home win in more than 1,400 days.

So it’s a must-win game for the Stamps in order for Southern Alberta to stay ahead in the standings.

Statz echoed the urgency the team is feeling for Monday’s classic.

“Two games back-to-back against Edmonton is huge,” he explained. “I feel like the last few weeks we’ve been so close to getting wins and we’re really needing one, so this is a playoff game. We need to come out with wins and that’s just the reality of the situation we’re in.

“They’re definitely playoff games in my mind so we got to come out and treat them that way.”

Aside from what the on-field play and outcome of the game could mean for Calgary in the CFL standings, the Labour Day Classic is just as significant off the field.

“It’s an exciting time for everybody,” said the former University of Calgary Dino. “It’s the end of the summer and start of the fall, kids are back in school, there’s a lot of university kids in the city and everyone is re-grouping from the summer.

“There’s the Edmonton-Calgary rivalry, which is so intense whether it’s football or hockey, the flyover with the jets, the black jerseys, and it’s just a great environment.

“If you’re really interested in football and haven’t been to Labour Day, I really encourage you to come out and watch.”

Fans are encouraged to wear their black Stampeders gear when they come to McMahon on Monday as part of the Stampeders’ Labour Day Blackout event.

On game day only, the Stamps Store at McMahon Stadium will have an exclusive black tonal logo T-shirt on special for $20 (plus GST).

Including the regular season and post-season, this year’s Labour Day Classic marks the 47th time in franchise history the Stampeders will wear black jerseys. The Stamps have an all-time record of 35-11 while wearing black, good for a .761 winning percentage.

Pre-game, fans can head over to the Gridiron Gardens presented by Coors Light from 3-5 p.m., where there will be members from the Calgary Police Department, Calgary Fire Department, EMS and RCMP in attendance. Squad cards, fire trucks and ambulances will also be on-site for the pre-game party.

And at halftime, Canadian Country Music Award-winning artist and multiple-time JUNO Award nominee Jade Eagleson will be performing on the McMahon stage.

Kickoff will go at 5 p.m. this year, and you can purchase your tickets to the annual event here.

Outriders

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