Fantuz, a member of the Canadian Football League’s Command Centre and video replay analyst, was on hand as a player in this year’s annual Saskatchewan Roughriders Winter Classic at the Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon.
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So, it’s a charity hockey game and there’s a disputed goal among the former and current football players on the ice, who you gonna call?
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Andy Fantuz?
“Yeah, I’ll say, ‘let’s throw a challenge flag’,” quipped Fantuz, a member of the Canadian Football League’s Command Centre and video replay analyst who was on hand as a player in this year’s annual Saskatchewan Roughriders Winter Classic at the Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon.
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“And I’ll get in there on the video replay, for sure,” Fantuz laughs.
Imagine if there ever was the use of video replay at the annual Winter Classic, Fantuz would be right there to put on the headset and take a look at the computer tablet to make the call.
After all, he’s got the experience and expertise (?) now.
All kidding aside, he has been enjoying his role in the CFL control booth.
“I like it a lot, actually,” says the former CFL receiving great who played six seasons for the Riders and another six seasons for the Hamilton tiger-Cats. “It filled a little bit of the void that I was missing in football, the adrenaline of actually being in the game and having some impact on it. It’s not the same as playing, of course, but I have a brand-new team now. I went to training camp with all the on-field officials, so it’s a complete different perspective for me but it’s nice to have a new team and be a part of something working for this great league, the CFL. So I’ve really, really enjoyed it and I’ve loved my time there and I learned a lot — every week I learned something.
“I’ll definitely be back for another year, as long as they’ll have me.”
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The former 6-foot-4, 220-pound receiver was selected in the first round, No. 3 overall, by the Riders in the 2006 CFL Draft. In 2007, Fantuz won a Grey Cup with the Riders and was named the most valuable Canadian in that game.
He also won the CFL’s most outstanding Canadian award during his career.
“I always love coming back to Saskatchewan — I still bleed green,” says Fantuz, who was born in Chatham, Ont.. “It’s just seeing some old faces and people in the community and some of my ex-teammates, it’s a lot of fun to get together and do something that’s for a good cause and have a lot of fun while we’re doing it. I’m just really happy to be here.”
It also takes him back in time.
“For sure,” Fantuz concurs.
“And it really means a lot to me that I still have some fans here because it was such a big part of my life, and my development, and it really is my second home. That’s how I feel. I’m happy to hear that it’s reciprocated. When I was playing here, not just on the field but lots of stuff off the field like going around the province to community after community, and just getting to know all the great people of Saskatchewan and try and help some kids and mentor, was a big part of my years here so it’s nice to hear I’m still liked by some people.”
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This year’s Winter Classic was the second for Fantuz, who hadn’t been on the ice for 20 years.
“It really is a great event and for a good cause,” he says. “I think families that come really enjoy it. We get to meet everybody after the game and the foundation does a great job. They do a great job with the entertainment during the game, as well, and it’s good hockey. You’ve got a lot of good players here. You’ve got the whole spectrum for sure. There are some rookies, like myself, as well, but it’s still pretty fast-paced and it’s always entertaining. The referee always does a good job of keeping it entertaining as well. It’s not just a game itself, for me. It’s about the whole weekend and reminiscing with the fellas. It’s not only for mental health, it’s good for our mental health, too, just to get back with our friends.”
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