OTTAWA—Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will attend the Canadian Football League’s (CFL®) 100th Grey Cup Championship Game at Rogers Centre, in Toronto, on Sunday, November 25, 2012.
To mark this momentous occasion, His Excellency will do the coin toss with the first 100th Grey Cup commemorative coin, struck by CFL commissioner Mark Cohon at the Royal Canadian Mint’s Winnipeg facility in June 2012. The Governor General will then proceed with the ceremonial kick-off to start the championship game between the Toronto Argonauts and the Calgary Stampeders.
“I’m pleased to be part of the celebrations marking the centennial of the Grey Cup Championship Game, an important milestone in Canadian football history,” said His Excellency. “I’m honoured to be conducting the coin toss and the ceremonial kick-off at this great sporting event where the Grey Cup symbolizes our ability to come together as a nation, and to work and play hard in a spirit of fairness and achievement. I hope I can live up to the standard established by my predecessor, the Right Honourable Roland Michener, who did the ceremonial kick-off 40 years ago at the 1972 Championship Game. ”
Below is Their Excellencies’ itinerary for the day:
Sunday, November 25
Toronto, Ontario
1:45 p.m.
Sun Life Grey Cup Fan March
His Excellency, accompanied by CFL commissioner Mark Cohon, will attend the Sun Life Grey Cup Fan March. He will address fans and then join them in the parade as the Grey Cup leaves the Varsity Stadium and makes its way through the streets of downtown Toronto before arriving at Rogers Centre.
Varsity Stadium, Toronto
OPEN TO MEDIA
6 p.m.
100th Grey Cup Championship Game
Their Excellencies will attend the 100th Grey Cup Championship Game, where the Governor General will conduct the coin toss and the ceremonial kick-off.
Rogers Centre, Toronto
OPEN TO MEDIA
About the Grey Cup
In 1909, governor general Earl Grey donated a trophy for the Rugby Football Championship of Canada. The trophy, which subsequently became known as the Grey Cup, was originally open only to teams that were registered with the Canada Rugby Union. By this time, Canadian football had become markedly different from the rugby football from which it developed. Over time, the Grey Cup became the property of the CFL, which had evolved into a professional football league. In October 2012, the Grey Cup came home to Rideau Hall and was on display for four days for thousands of Canadians and sports enthusiasts to see.
About the Canadian Football LeagueTM
The Grey Cup is Canada’s national championship and its largest annual single sporting event. The CFL is preparing for the 100th Grey Cup in 2012. The celebration will span the country and culminate in a tremendous festival and game in Toronto on November 25, 2012. Canadians are invited to be a part of it. For more information about the CFL, visit http://cfl.ca/.
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