Former Foes Intensify Ticats-Argos Rivalry

It is no secret that the Argonauts and the Tiger-Cats do not like another.
Whether the two teams face-off in the preseason, regular season, or playoffs, there always seems to be a little more on the line.
No one knows that more than Ticats receiver Chad Owens. The Flyin’ Hawaiian was a cornerstone of the Argos franchise for six seasons before signing with Hamilton earlier this year. Owens will face his former team for the first time in Thursday’s season opener.
As someone who has been on both sides of the rivalry, Owens fully understands what is at stake each time the Ticats and Argos meet.
“It’s probably one of the biggest rivalries in sports, definitely in the CFL,” said Owens. “These were always tough games… Every game is important, but something about these games just heightens that level.”
Fellow Ticat Spencer Watt echoed Owens’ sentiment. Watt played with the Argos for five years before signing with the rival Ticats in 2015. The Canadian wide receiver was sidelined all of last season with a ruptured achilles.
Thursday’s regular season opener will also be the first time that Watt faces his former team.
“When I was in Toronto, Toronto didn’t like Hamilton,” said Watt. “Now I’m on the other side and it’s the same deal. I don’t like Toronto. They don’t like us. It’s a cross town rivalry.”
The CFL’s lengthy history has given birth to many notable rivalries including the Banjo Bowl and the battle of Alberta, but Watt says what separates the dispute between the Ticats and Argos from others is the fans.
“The fans hype it up a lot,” said Watt. “We rally behind the fans and the fans rally behind us. We feed off their energy and they bring a lot of hype to this game. With their energy, we bring more on the field.”
Stadiums always seem to be a little louder when rival teams come to visit and Thursday will be no exception, especially with the return of Owens. Owens was an integral part of the Argos offensive core when Toronto last won the Grey Cup in 2012. He was also named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player the same year. The first time Owens dons the Black and Gold on Toronto turf is sure to elicit some jeers from Argo fans.
Owens says that does not bother him one bit.
“I’m really not expecting a whole lot of that [heckling],” said Owens “But if it is, it’s all fun. I just smile and go out and do my job. I’ve never really been bothered by heckles, I’ve gotten a lot of it here [in Hamilton]. It just gets me excited.”
Owens did not hold back any emotions after the Argos did not offer him a contract for the 2016 season. He described his outlook on the situation as “hitting rock bottom” and even said he contemplated retirement. Despite his lengthy history in Toronto, Owens has made one thing clear; he now bleeds Black and Gold.
“I committed the moment I signed,” said Owens. “They’ve embraced me. I’m excited. I get excited when I get to come to work everyday. This is the first real go at it. We get to go out there and have some fun.”
Watt said he had no problem putting his former allegiance to the Boatmen aside after coming to Hamilton. Now, the Argos are the enemy.
“As soon as I signed with the Black and Gold, I was all Tiger-Cat,” stated Watt. “I left the Argos. I have no ties with them anymore. I’m with the Ticats.”
There will also be some familiar faces suiting up in double blue on Thursday night. Former Ticats Brian Bulcke, Bryan Hall, and Justin Hickman all made the trip up the QEW to sign with the Argos during the offseason.
With former teammates on both sides of the field, this rivalry just got a little more interesting.