Winning Changes Everything
Just ask the Edmonton Elks. The Edmonton Elks are giving their fans something have not had in years: Hope. After going 8 seasons without a record above .500. Edmonton has momentum early in season. The only unbeaten team early in the CFL season.
After years of frustration, the Elks are 3-0. More importantly, they look like a team that believes it can win every week. That may not sound like much. But for Edmonton Elks fans, it means a lot. The franchise has lived through some difficult years. Wins became rare as losses piled up. Playoff appearances disappeared. A proud organization that once set the standard in the CFL struggled to find it's footing. Then came another major change.
The club retired the "Eskimos" name and eventually became the Elks. While many supporters embraced the new identity, others felt disconnected. Some longtime fans walked away. The debate over the name became part of the story instead of the football. The name change resulted in losing 13,000 season ticket holders. Going from 20,000 to 7,000 season tickets.
No matter where fans stood on the issue, one thing is true. Winning was the best way to bring people back. That is exactly what Edmonton is hoping to do. A 3-0 record does not guarantee a championship. It does not even guarantee a playoff spot. But it changes the conversation. Instead of talking about rebuilding, fans are talking about possibilities. Instead of wondering what will go wrong. Elks fans are asking how good can this team become.
That is progress. The CFL is better when Edmonton is competitive.
For decades, the franchise was one of the league's model organizations. Commonwealth Stadium was loud. Opponents expected a tough game every time they visited. The league feels different when that tradition returns. The season is still young. Bigger challenges are ahead. Every team faces injuries, adversity, and losing streaks at some point.
Team records and achievements
Edmonton has 14 Grey Cup wins, more than any other team except the Toronto Argonauts, who have 19 Grey Cups. Edmonton also has more championships than any other team since the CFL was formed in the 1950s. Holding the record for most consecutive Grey Cup appearances (6 from 1977 to 1982), and consecutive wins (5 from 1978 to 1982). The team is the only one to have won three or more consecutive Grey Cups twice (1954–1956 and 1978–1982).
The real test is not starting 3-0. It is staying hungry after the excitement fades.
If the Elks continue to play disciplined football and build confidence each week, they have a chance to do more than win games. They can rebuild a fan base. They can restore pride in one of the CFL's most historic franchises. And they can remind the football world that Edmonton belongs among the league's contenders once again. At least for now, the Elks are on top of the CFL standings. The Elks are back in action July 4th, at the struggling BC Lions.
There is a long way to go. However, a 3-0 start is just what the organization needed. Now the team needs to keep the fans interested each and every week. There is a long way to go. However, a 3-0 start is just what the organization needed. Now the team needs to keep the fans interested each and every week.