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CFL Team Accidentally Wins Grey Cup, Doesn’t Realize Until Parade Day
The Calgary Stampede Horses accidentally won the Grey Cup—and didn’t realize it until the parade. The CFL confirmed the mix-up, calling it “classic Canadian football.”
📝 By Randy Slapchuk – Regina, Saskatchewan
CALGARY – In what analysts are calling “the most Canadian championship win in history,” the Calgary Stampede Horses accidentally won the Grey Cup last week—and didn’t find out until they were halfway through their own parade.
“We honestly thought we were playing for a playoff spot,” said head coach Dean Rutter, holding the Grey Cup upside down during a press conference. “We were just trying to avoid injury and get out of the season with our heads held high. Then suddenly, there’s confetti, and a guy from TSN is handing us a trophy. I thought it was a prank.”
The confusion began when the final whistle blew during what was supposed to be the Western Final, and players noticed the opposing team leaving the field early—along with most of the referees, camera crews, and one guy taking the goalposts apart.
“We figured they were just sore losers,” said quarterback Tyson McBride, who was still wearing his practice jersey and forgot his cleats. “Then the mayor showed up with a sash, and we were like… wait, was that the Grey Cup?”
How Did This Happen?
According to league insiders, a paperwork mix-up at CFL headquarters led to the wrong playoff bracket being used, resulting in the Western Final being mislabeled as the championship game.
“Honestly, it’s the CFL. We’re lucky the games happen in the right country,” said one league official who asked to remain anonymous but was obviously from Hamilton.
TSN broadcasters admitted that none of them realized it was the Grey Cup either, with colour commentator Duane Taylor saying:
“We were wondering why they brought out fireworks for a 22–17 game with no touchdowns in the second half. I just assumed someone hit a sponsor bonus.”
The Parade That Gave It Away
The truth finally dawned on players during the victory parade, which they believed was a “fan appreciation float tour.”
It wasn’t until the third float, featuring a papier-mâché replica of the Grey Cup filled with Tim Hortons gift cards, that kicker Liam Godfrey turned to a teammate and asked: “Wait… did we win the whole thing?”
Fans lining the streets were equally confused, with many believing the parade was for a Stampede pancake breakfast or a Shania Twain tribute band.
🗣️ “I just came for the free T-shirts,” said Janet McLennan, 62, who waved a sign that said “Nice Try, Maybe Next Year.”
CFL Response: Shrugs and Apologies
The league has since issued a statement acknowledging the mistake and confirming the win:
“We congratulate the Calgary Stampede Horses on their unexpected Grey Cup victory. To be honest, we didn’t see it coming either.”
Commissioner Randy Ambrosie promised an internal review, but also reminded fans: “It’s the CFL. Weird stuff happens.”
To make it up to the losing team—the Toronto Argos, who were apparently never informed they were in the championship game—the league has offered:
- A complimentary brunch at The Keg
- A framed screenshot of their 2022 Grey Cup win
- A participation ribbon
- One (1) “Get Out of Offside Free” card for next season
Player Reactions: Confused but Thrilled
Players admitted they were initially surprised, but quickly embraced the win.
“Honestly, I was just happy we finished the season with a .500 record,” said defensive lineman Brock “Moose” Lamoureux. “Now I get a ring? Hell yeah.”
🗣️ “I told my girlfriend we weren’t gonna win anything this year, so I bet her I’d do dishes all winter. Not anymore, baby!” – Tyson McBride
🗣️ “I was already booked to play senior men’s hockey next weekend. Guess I gotta cancel.” – Backup kicker
🗣️ “Do we still get the parade if we give the trophy back?” – One player, clearly nervous about the paperwork
What This Means for the CFL (Absolutely Nothing)
Experts agree this incident will have zero long-term impact on the league, which has a long and storied history of chaos, confusion, and unintentional hilarity.
📉 Attendance will remain “decent in the West, dismal in the East.”
📺 TV ratings will be marginally boosted by people hoping something like this happens again.
🏈 The Grey Cup trophy has already been dropped twice, once into a hot tub.
In true CFL fashion, Calgary’s victory will stand, no one will fully understand how it happened, and half the league will pretend they saw it coming all along.At press time, Calgary players were being fitted for Grey Cup rings shaped like tiny question marks.
