Bombertown

I just arrived at Toronto airport. Next stop Hamilton!

I just arrived at Toronto airport. Next stop Hamilton!

I just arrived at Toronto airport. Next stop Hamilton!

I just arrived at Toronto airport. Next stop Hamilton!

I just arrived at Toronto airport. Next stop Hamilton!

I just arrived at Toronto airport. Next stop Hamilton!

I just arrived at Toronto airport. Next stop Hamilton!

I just arrived at Toronto airport. Next stop Hamilton!

I think people were allowed to vote only up until playoffs so his horrendous eastern final game isn’t considered
i think if this vote was redone Brady would win by a landslide. 
I really think this is the leagues way to boost torontos sales

@DTonOB proving that he'd rather watch stats than actual games. 
Spectacularly wrong on 3 counts all at once.

What the actual...
Here is a tip for voters in the future. Outstanding, is literally a mashup of the words "standing out". Nobody stood out more amongst their peers than Brady this year. Jesus.

Great article.  Partially answers the age-old question of "Why is that guy on the roster?"  
Kramdi’s on-field success brings joy to his grieving family
By: Taylor Allen Posted: 6:20 PM CST Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023
 
HAMILTON — Redha Kramdi was midway through his first training camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers when a phone call changed everything.
His older brother Sami — his No. 1 fan, his role model, and the person who insisted on dropping him off at the airport to wish him luck when it was time to fly out to Winnipeg to get to work — had died in his sleep.
Sami was just 28 years old.
SUPPLIED
Redha Kramdi (right) was at his first training camp with the Blue Bombers when his brother Sami (left) died in his sleep.
“My rookie season was the hardest year of my life. His void will always be felt in my family because he meant so much. He was the big bro, so he was always making sure that everyone was right – my parents, my sisters, myself. Of course, I miss him every day and this week, I wish he was here,” said Kramdi, a defensive back from Montreal. Kramdi and the Blue and Gold are preparing to play his hometown Alouettes in Sunday’s Grey Cup at Tim Hortons Field.
“He came to every game he could… and unfortunately, he didn’t get to see me play as a pro. But hanging out with some of his friends, they’re like ‘Man, you don’t understand how proud your brother was. That’s the only thing he talked about from the day you got drafted to the day he passed away.’”
When Kramdi — who was chosen 16th overall by the Bombers in the 2021 CFL Draft out of the University of Montreal — returned home for the funeral, Nesrine, the elder of his two younger sisters, assured him that she’d take care of the family. She wanted him to focus on football, and to the best of his abilities, that’s what he did.
“One of my close friends just lost his mom and I told him don’t force yourself to feel good. Feel the pain. And when you feel good, you feel good,” said Kramdi, 26.
“Don’t force yourself to be like ‘Today’s the day I’m going to get over it.’ You don’t get over losing a brother, or losing a parent, you just learn to live without that person.”
A pulled hamstring limited Kramdi in 2021, but the following year saw him establish himself as one of the team’s best special teamers. He even made some starts on defence at dime back (weak-side linebacker). This season, the position is his as he took the job from American veteran Alden Darby, Jr. in Week 7 and hasn’t looked back since.
Kramdi’s ascension has been the absolute best thing for his family.
“When I see how strong Redha is, it makes me stronger,” said Nesrine, who’s making the trip to Hamilton on Sunday with her husband, dad Madani, and 18-year-old sister Aya, in a phone interview.
“We’re in pain, but when we see Redha out on the field, it’s joy. The four hours that he’s playing, we don’t think about (the pain). That’s a way for us to just feel proud because we have so much joy.”
Being resilient is one thing, but his football I.Q. is the biggest reason why the son of Algerian immigrants has been able to climb the ladder and not only start but excel at one of the most complicated positions on the field.
It goes back to his time at the U Sports level when he played under head coach Danny Maciocia — the current general manager of the Alouettes. Every day, Maciocia would call up a handful of defensive players to the whiteboard at the front of the room and ask them to break down a specific play. Most could tell you what their position group should be doing, but all 12 players? Not a chance — unless it was Kramdi being asked.
On one occasion, Maciocia went out of his way to test Kramdi with a complicated formation.
He still managed to knock it out of the park.
“That will always have a lasting effect on me, just the way he went up to the board, took charge, and explained it in detail. I remember vividly that people in that meeting room stood up and gave him a standing ovation,” said Maciocia.
“It was really something that you typically don’t see, even at this level, this level we’re experiencing here this week.”
Als safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy — the East Division’s nominee for Most Outstanding Canadian — played for the Montreal Carabins alongside Kramdi and had a similar take on his former teammate.
“I’m always joking with him that when he chooses to retire that he’s going to be a coach or a scout, or a GM someday. He’s really, really into it and he loves it and he’s good at it. He’s got a great football eye. Watch for it, you’ll probably talk to him one day as a coach,” said Dequoy.
“Let’s say you put in the tape from another Grey Cup or something. I mean, at one point, you’re going to look at your phone, but he’s always dialed in on the tape. He’s interested and wants to see what’s going to happen. There’s that curiosity in him that makes him great.”
Bombers safety Brandon Alexander saw that from Kramdi from Day 1.
“He’s one of the smartest guys I’ve been around, and I think he’s definitely one of the most underrated football players in the CFL. I’ve always advocated to find a way to put Redha on the field — for two years now, to be honest with you. Now that he has that chance, I’m excited for him, I’m happy for him,” said Alexander.
An injury prevented Kramdi from taking the field at last year’s Grey Cup, but this week, he’ll be in the thick of things. Considering the note his career started on, he couldn’t be happier to be where he’s at now.
“There’s no words to describe how much my heart is filled with thankfulness,” said Kramdi.
taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

This was my second game in person ever and it was awesome. Better than a vikes game. Had people ringing bells in every direction. Tinnitus is worth it. 

Whistle and the whole sideline was yelling clock to go down. I was on the 40 yd line lower bowl 

Also about biggie, he was holding back of knee or calf on the sideline. Devastating. You could hear the collective gasp in the stands 

Also about biggie, he was holding back of knee or calf on the sideline. Devastating. You could hear the collective gasp in the stands 

Also about biggie, he was holding back of knee or calf on the sideline. Devastating. You could hear the collective gasp in the stands 

Whistle and the whole sideline was yelling clock to go down. I was on the 40 yd line lower bowl 

Whistle and the whole sideline was yelling clock to go down. I was on the 40 yd line lower bowl 

This was my second game in person ever and it was awesome. Better than a vikes game. Had people ringing bells in every direction. Tinnitus is worth it. 

This was my second game in person ever and it was awesome. Better than a vikes game. Had people ringing bells in every direction. Tinnitus is worth it. 

This was my second game in person ever and it was awesome. Better than a vikes game. Had people ringing bells in every direction. Tinnitus is worth it. 

This was my second game in person ever and it was awesome. Better than a vikes game. Had people ringing bells in every direction. Tinnitus is worth it. 

This was my second game in person ever and it was awesome. Better than a vikes game. Had people ringing bells in every direction. Tinnitus is worth it. 

The view I saw their yelling at him to go down to run out clock