It was a mixed bag of emotions for the July 18, 2008 CFL game between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the B.C. Lions.

Echoing a number of callers who phoned into the postgame show on the TEAM 1040, I was disheartened to find out only 37,000 and change showed up to the game that also served as a public memorial to late-Prez and CEO Bob Ackles. (Pics inside)

Photo courtesy of the B.C. Lions.

I remember back in the nineties when we used to go to B.C. Lions games; we would buy nosebleed seats and sneak down to the lower section.

B.C. Place was so empty back then the security guards didn't really care.

When I caught the Western Final back in 1999, the announced attendance was only around 29,000 if memory serves me correctly.

Under 30,000 for a West Final? Numbers unheard of considering the last few Western Finals under the Dome have been near capacity (but not sold out).

We've come a long way baby.

Like I mentioned earlier, I caught my second Terminal City Rollerderby bout and it was wild to say the least; even more so than my first bout. Here is a sample of the action.

* Denotes photos from Flickr user Bob Ayers.

Lorenagade #5000 (left) and Cinder Hella #86 'er (right).

I had the pleasure of catching my second ever Terminal City Rollergirl Flat Track bout between the Faster Pussycats and the Bad Reputations--mind you, the Reputations also were in the first bout I caught.

This time around there was a lot more mayhem; more bodies flying and a lot more carnage.

How does one prepare for something like Flat Track Rollerderby and how does one cool down?

I decided to ask a member from each team; "Cinder Hella #86" from the Bad Reps and "Lorenagade #5000" from the Faster Pussycats.

It's always difficult when someone passes away and even more so when it's unexpected.

Bob Ackles, the man single-handedly responsible for the renaissance of the B.C. Lions, passed away early this morning of a heart attack according to TSN.

He was 69-years old.

One of the many things that can get my blood boiling is the self centeredness of Toronto when it relates to sports.

Having the Canucks play a game vs. Toronto at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday a few years ago to appease the fans in the East.

Seeing the Leafs' pursuit of Eric Lindros as the lead story on Sportsdesk (remember Sportsdesk?) for a month straight even after it was clear there would be no deal.

The examples are seemingly endless.

Fans of three down football also have a reason to get their hate on for T.O. as a group of Torontonian businessmen (including Ted Rogers) are attempting to bring a National Football League team to the "Center of the Universe" and that has people around here irked.