CFL fans have been coming out of the wood work over the last week or so. And the biggest reason for that is Chatham’s Andy Fantuz.

Andy played high school football at McGregor and then went to Western and won the Hec Creighton trophy (awarded to the best player in Canadian University football) 

Last Wednesday he became a free agent. After 6 seasons playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders he was free to sign with whatever team he wanted in the Canadian Football League.

He decided to come home(ish) to play for the Hamilton Tigercats. A mere 2 hour drive from Chatham.

I worked for two years in Hamilton. Great city. It gets a bad wrap, probably because it doesn’t look the nicest as you approach. Smoke stacks as far as the eye can see. But once you get IN the city. Amazing people. Reminded me a lot of Chatham. If I wasn’t loving my home in Chatham, Hamilton area is where I’d probably be.

While working in Hamilton, I had the chance to host the Ticat pregame show on 900 CHML allowing me to be on the sidelines and take in Hamilton football. Wow. Great atmosphere. The entire community stands behind their team. The who’s who of the Hammer come out to watch through the summer. Andy is going to love playing in front of that city. And Chatham-ites who have yet to catch a CFL game, let alone a Ticat game…prepare yourself now…and you may want to prep yourself for the pregame tailgate as well.

It’s pretty exciting to see  a local boy done good. Friends, family and complete strangers are suddenly fans of the Black and Gold all because of Fantuz. Expect him to be a big part of the marketing strategy for the team – he’s already all over the Ticat webpage.

I’m already looking forward to June 29th when the Ticats kick off the season vs Andy’s former team, Saskatchewan. Anyone know someone who could hook me up with tickets?? *wink, wink*

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