The battle for football supremacy in Southern Ontario has continued to be contested since their first game against each other back on October 18, 1873. The next chapter in this struggle pits the Toronto Argonauts against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for one of the most anticipated games of the season.
No one understands just what this rivalry means better than the players who have battled for both the sides. The All-Rivalry Team consists of players who have donned both the Black and Gold and Double Blue during their time in our league. The 10 players selected to the All-Rivalry team are:
- Damon Allen
- Tommy Joe Coffey
- Joe Montford
- Ellison Kelley
- Mike O'Shea
- Mike Morreale
- Paul Bennett
- Troy Davis
- Calvin Tiggle
- Walt Zaltylny
These stars will be in attendance for the Labour Day Classic and many exciting events leading up to the game, including a pre-game autograph session on Monday, September 1 from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Exclusively during this time, fans can fill out a contest ballot for the Ticats Kick For $5K Contest where they will be entered in a draw that will see one lucky winner have their name selected to attempt a field goal for $5000 at halftime of the Ticats September 6 game against the B.C. Lions. The winner will be announced during the Labour Day Classic.
While the Ticats/Argos rivalry has become one of the most heated football events on the CFL calendar on the field, a tradition started by former Ticats owner Harold Ballard has also made the rivalry a fiery battle throughout both organizations for almost three decades. In 1979, Harold Ballard and Wally Zaltylny created a trophy known as the Ballard Trophy which was awarded each year to the team that won the regular season series between the Ticats and Argos. In 2003, Ticats' owners Dave McDonald and George Grant last presented the Ballard Trophy to Argos' owner Sherwood Schwarz at Skydome in Toronto. With two regular season wins over the Argos already this season, the Ticats look to reclaim the cup since last winning it back in 2001. The Ballard Trophy remains in Toronto's possession until its highly-anticipate return to Hamilton.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Labour Day have been synonymous since the team was first formed in 1950, when the Tigers of the ORFU and Wildcats from the Big Four merged and the "modern" era of Hamilton football began. With the exception of 1995, the Tiger-Cats have played on their home field on Labour Day Monday every year since their inception. Of the 57 Labour Day Classics played since then, 39 have been played against the Toronto Argonauts where the Tiger-Cats have recorded 27 wins, 11 losses and one tie.
For tickets or more information visit www.ticats.ca or call (905) 547-CATS.
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