New Canadian Football League Franchise Is Born, Ottawa REDBLACKS.
Congratulations are in order. Finally, a CFL team will once again compete in the Eastern division in Canada’s capital, Ottawa, along with Montreal, Toronto and Hamilton.
Rob Joachim, a young die-hard Ottawa Rough Rider fan in the early 80’s informed me about the launch last week. Then, I just received a Facebook notice from Santino Filoso,of REDBLACK Nation since I was in the group Bring the CFL back to Ottawa. Why would a former National Football League Philadelphia Eagle Eaglette Cheerleader be interested in the Canadian Football League?
Here is why.
Back in 1980, my former husband began his Professional Football career in Ottawa. On a recommendation from Coach Wayne Hardin, who was the Head Football coach at Temple University, Pat signed a contract. It was Pat’s former Division 1 football team, who he played right guard, started 4 years at Varsity. Coach George Brancato from the CFL was in Philadelphia at Coach Hardin’s office looking for an offensive lineman. A phone call was made to my household. Pat and I drove to Temple’s football office quickly as we were living 15 minutes from the University. Pat came out 45 minutes later and said, ”I signed with the Rough Riders.” I replied in grief, “No, no, I am not going up to Saskatchewan, why didn’t you come out and ask me?” “Donna, it is in Ottawa, only a 8 hour drive straight north.” You see back in 1980 there were two Rough Rider teams, one spelled with one word and the other with two words. He had a tryout, to the team that spelled in two words. I was a Physical and Health education teacher in the Philadelphia School District back then. Pat went to the Rough Riders training camp, an injury occurred to an offensive tackle, West Philips, as I recall. Pat now had made the 11 import roster from the US that was only allowed in the CFL. Now, Pat is starting left tackle for the Ottawa Rough Riders. The Strong side of the O line due to the QB’s Jordan Case, Conredge Holloway. and J.C. Watts being right-handed, Jordan Case, well is my son’s is his namesake. BTW, Pat would neutralize Junior Ah You All star Defensive end from the Montreal Alouttes every game. You see Pat had a tryout with the Alouttes a few months before in Raleigh, North Carolina. They weren’t interested in Pat’s skills. Pat would get siked every game he played against Montreal. Yes, there is another one of those stories.
I packed up the household items in a U-Haul truck and off we went to Ottawa. What a beautiful City it is.
As I glanced at the field of Professional Cheerleaders in Ottawa in 1980, my imagination began to flourish. Could I bring an NFL style Professional Cheerleaders to Canada’s capital? The current cheerleaders were performing pyramids on the field.
Enter the Ottawa Rough Riders Rhythm Riders Cheerleaders.
In 1981, the Rhythm Riders were born. I was now the Director and Choreographer of the team’s new cheerleader/dance team. In that same year, the 69th Grey Cup or as I called it the Superbowl of Canada was being held in Montreal. The Ottawa Rough Riders were the Eastern Division winners lead by QB J.C. Watts (former US Congressman) and Edmonton Eskimos lead by QB Warren Moon were the Western Division winners. It is considered one of the top ten Grey Cups in history. As the 22 point underdog the Ottawa Rough Riders lost the game in the final three seconds. Edmonton had kicked a field goal. Final Score 26-23 Edmonton.
Pat played three years in Ottawa, ,as his option year was finished and returned to the States to sign with a New League, the USFL Boston Breakers.
But, part of my heart of hearts will always lie in Ottawa. It is carefully placed on the center line grass on Frank Clair Stadium in Landsdown Park between the two 50 yard markers. The field is much larger than the National Football League, only a three down game, exciting Pro Football, Canadian style.
It all starts again in 2014. Maybe I will petition the former Rhythm Riders Cheerleaders that graced Landsdown Park together for an Alumni Charity event.. Some of the former Cheerleaders still meet once a month for 3 decades as they called it Dinner Club. It includes Natalie St. Amour,. Debbie Guilbeault, Debbie Madden,Gayle Brennan (Mash), Louise Mongeon and Lucille Warren (Mondeau). (Thanks Natalie! As I was just informed me the Dinner Club meets Thursday night), They are forever a family. Currently, the 65th Anniversary Celebration of the Eaglettes is in the planning stages. (The Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League had their first cheerleaders in 1948.) I was an Eaglette in the late 70’s. at the Vet in South Philly.
As I can implement social media format choreography can be learned and the staging can come at a later time. Girls, you must to begin that boot camp now. Heed the warning. Remember our infamous Kickline. Anything is possible when there are passionate Football fans such as the City of Ottawa entertains.
Again, Congratulation to the Ottawa Rouge et Noir.
Below,The Promo video of the REDBLACKS. Also, the Ottawa Rough Riders Rhythm Rider Cheerleaders Pregame performance, 1981′
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Sidewalks Chalk 
Very Excited for the REDBLACKS.
This took me 12 hrs in drafts to publish.
There is always a story to write about. And this one I reminisced.
I hope you enjoyed the journey. I did.
❤ sp84
Great story. I liked how the video explained their choice of the team name. Very interesting.
Pat and I @ Temple training before Ottawa Rough Rider Camp.
Great memories are never forgotten!
I am interested in the REDBLACKS cheer team. Where would I go to find out more information?? Do you know who the new coach is? I want to know how I should train to get on the team. Thanks for your post I have been searching for information on the cheer team for a while. oh and one last question, do you know if the new team will be more cheer or dance? I’m 23 and its hard to find training other than private for beginner adults for cheer. THANKS AGAIN!
Great story Donna. Keep up the good work.
Great article!! Canada and America friends forever
Hey Ottawa REDBLACK Fans. I have linked up Redblack Nation to my side bar.
As soon as the schedule is out. I want a Section Saved For the Former Cheerleaders of Ottawa. All of us As I am Returning with the Women who Cheered at Ottawa Last Grey Cup in 81′! You know what side stands ask you Sister where we faced, as the other side constantly complained about that situation.
Mark, Again ask Natalie, about the Parade going up early for rehearsal, the Edmonton Director would not let me hear her music but that was OK, We could dance to anything they played. We got the 2nd and 4th quarters.for choice of music, I didn’t care.
We out shined them, don’t look at the score.
Oh And Toronto would never let us do a Road trip on their Field so we sat in the stands.
(Another Story I have to write about, I have Stories!)
My ❤ lies in Ottawa forever.
Donna
Wow, Great Ottawa Football Team in the making to the Road to the Grey Cup in 81′ Video of 1980, bootleg Jordan Case.