\u2018Sometimes I\u2019d prefer different language when they do express that opinion, but that\u2019s fine\u2019 On Sunday, Canadian Football League Commissioner Stewart Johnston was at the 60th Labour Day Classic in Regina.<\/p>\n
Canadian Football League commissioner\u00a0Stewart Johnston was at the 60th Labour Day Classic in Regina.<\/p>\n
Johnston explored several topics during the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network\u2019s Countdown to Kickoff. Johnston discussed the Toronto Argonauts decision to play home games in other CFL cities next season, the league\u2019s statistics issues and Genius Sports.\u00a0<\/p>\n
During the conversation, Riders analyst Wes Cates asked Johnston\u00a0about his reaction to TSN analyst Luke Willson’s online commentary.<\/p>\n
Willson, a Super Bowl Champion with the Seattle Seahawks, made waves in the offseason when he proclaimed himself the \u201cpeople\u2019s commissioner\u201d and shared several personal proposals for making 2025 the \u201cyear of the CFL.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Windsor, Ontario native\u2019s presence grew online while he feuded with fans and CFL media members to the point where he referred to those with opposing opinions as \u201cnumpties.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rider Nation\u2019s collective eyebrow was raised when Willson deemed a Week 3 game between Saskatchewan and Toronto which ended on a Mario Alford kick return touchdown as \u201chot garbage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cryptic tweets and since-deleted posts suggest Willson has sometimes pushed the envelope further than his employers at TSN would like. Willson implied some members of the CFL and its board of governors were utilizing connections within TSN to silence him.<\/p>\n
Johnston doesn\u2019t see it that way or believe that Willson\u2019s comments need to be muted.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn social media, sometimes you walk the line. I have no problem with anyone having an opinion and expressing opinions. Sometimes I\u2019d prefer different language when they do express that opinion, but that\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want people talking about the CFL\u00a0and it comes from a place of passion. As long as we\u2019re doing it with respect, I really enjoy it,\u201d Johnston added.<\/p>\n
Defined numpties claim Willson hasn\u2019t always demonstrated a requisite level of respect, but you can\u2019t deny the level of conversation that he has created around the league, by regularly stirring the pot and tweeting to his over 146,900 followers.<\/p>\n
Aside from the commentary, Johnston has been impressed with Willson\u2019s ability to analyze the game and communicate that to the CFL audience.<\/p>\n
\u201cI come from a background working at TSN, so I\u2019ve known Luke for a long time. I think that he developed from his first time on TSN airwaves as an NFL broadcaster or commentator to where he was the last NFL season \u2014 I think he\u2019s one of the best I\u2019ve seen.\u201d<\/p>\n
The first-year commissioner, Johnston, is a fan of Willson on TSN\u2019s Friday Night Football.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe really is a great X\u2019s and O\u2019s analyst, but he breaks it down in a way that I think the audiences really appreciate. He\u2019s very relatable and I think that comes across in his sideline work, which brings another element to the game. The way he\u2019s analyzing the game is fantastic and it brings a real football perspective, an X\u2019s and O\u2019s perspective, from field level.\u201d<\/p>\n