Referee Andre Proulx has confirmed he will officiate the upcoming 112th Grey Cup, quelling any doubts about his retirement plans. This championship game marks Proulx’s eleven appearances as head referee, adding to an impressive career that spans 463 games.
Andre Proulx Dismisses Retirement Rumors
Proulx noted his previous contemplation of retirement earlier this season but now feels revitalized. “I talked too fast when considering retirement,” he admitted. He expressed a desire to conclude his career with a Grey Cup but has found new motivation. “I had a lot of fun this year and found my passion again,” he remarked.
Prior discussions with Jean St-Onge of Radio-Canada revealed Proulx’s uncertainty about reaching 500 officiating games, contributing to his retirement thoughts. However, he is now optimistic about achieving that milestone. “When my boss asked if I wanted to come back, I reassured him I would,” he said.
The Support from Peers
Back Judge Kevin Riopel supported Proulx’s ongoing presence in the CFL, highlighting his mentorship for younger officials. “Andre is a humble guy, still capable of excellent officiating,” Riopel stated. He emphasized Proulx’s significant role in guiding newcomers through the challenging officiating process.
Preparation for the Grey Cup
Proulx is gearing up for the season’s final game, feeling proud of his performance and that of his officiating crew. “There are 140 plays per game, and we’re evaluated on each one,” he explained. He encourages a culture of self-critique among officials.
Riopel added context to the scrutiny officials face. “Every call is observed. Getting to the Grey Cup signifies excellent officiating,” he explained. The evaluation comes not only from supervisors but also from coaches reviewing game footage.
Grey Cup Matchup
The 112th Grey Cup will be held at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg on Sunday, November 16, with kickoff at 6:00 p.m. EST. The matchup features the Saskatchewan Roughriders (13-6) against the Montreal Alouettes (12-8).
- Montreal Alouettes defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 19-16 in the East Final.
- Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the B.C. Lions 24-21 in the West Final.
- The teams split their two regular-season meetings.
Both teams were without Montreal’s star quarterback Davis Alexander in those encounters due to a hamstring injury. The weather in Winnipeg is forecasted to reach a high of two degrees, with a mix of sun and clouds.
Broadcast and Historical Significance
The game will be available on various networks, including TSN, CTV, RDS in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. This will be the fifth Grey Cup hosted in Winnipeg and the second at Princess Auto Stadium, which previously held the championship in 2015.
The 2015 Grey Cup saw the Edmonton Football Team defeat the Ottawa Redblacks 26-20, with Michael Reilly earning the title of Most Valuable Player.
