Baffin x CFL Fan of the Year Contest: Meet the Finalists
The moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived — meet the finalists for Baffin’s Fan of the Year contest, launched in partnership with the CFL! After receiving an incredible array of passionate entries from football fans across Canada, we’ve narrowed it down to the top nine. These die-hard supporters have shown just how deep their love for the game runs, and now it's up to you to help decide who will take home the ultimate title of CFL Fan of the Year.
Voting is now open to the public giving you the power to crown the biggest fan. The finalist with the most votes will win a tailgate experience with the Grey Cup trophy, 2025 season tickets, $1,500 in Baffin products, CFL merchandise, and more! Voting is open until November 7th, with one vote per day—so be sure to rally your fellow fans and make your voice heard.
Let’s celebrate these dedicated finalists and give them the recognition they deserve. Who will win it all? Your vote will decide!
Brittany Wright | Team: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Brittnay and Colin’s love language? Touchdowns, Tailgates, and Tiger-Cats. As season seat holders, their love for the team culminated in their wedding being held at Tim Hortons Field this year. They began dating after a Tiger-Cats game on October 13, 2017, fast forward to another such date in 2023, when they celebrated their sixth anniversary at a game where Colin proposed. Their wedding on July 12, 2024, made history as the first ceremony held on the field. They shared their first dance at center field, Brittnay tossed her bouquet through the goal post, and celebrated the day with a reception in the Club House with a surprise appearance from Stavros Katsantonis.
David Cameron | Team: Toronto Argonauts
Boatman! David’s Argos flag flies on his boat for every Toronto game – hence his nickname, Boatman. He’s supported his team play for 60 years without failure, and can remember where he was and who he was with for every Grey Cup game since. If he can’t make it to a game, he’s watching it on TV, and encouraging his friends and family to join him too.
Karen Colwell | Team: Edmonton Elks
Watching CFL games weekly makes her heart feel a little more Canadian. When Karen married her husband Colin, a dedicated Elks fan, she soon realized that she’d need to learn the game in order to spend quality time on the weekends with him. She dove in headfirst and today, she considers herself a die-hard fan, submitting her entry while watching a game between Saskatchewan and Winnipeg the week after the Labour Day Weekend (photographed). They now enthusiastically share their passion for the game and never miss a CFL weekend.
Karen Greenwood Milne | Team: Ottawa Redblacks
Over a decade of Redblacks pride! Karen and her niece, Brit, have been cheering for the Redblacks prior to their first season in 2014. Brit, who lives four hours away from Ottawa, has driven up for almost every home game since the Redblacks began. At the 101st Grey Cup in Regina, Karen & Brit rolled in with homemade Redblacks outfits before they could get their hands on Redblacks merch. They love the league and getting to spend quality time together with a shared passion!
Kelly Hallet | Team: Winnipeg Blue Bombers
While she was out for the season, her spirit was still in the stands! 2024 was the first season that Kelly wasn’t able to attend a Bomber’s game. She typically travels to Winnipeg from Eastern Ontario twice a season and heads the majority of games in Ontario and Quebec. However, Kelly donated her kidney at the start of the season – a selfless act of giving the gift of life. With this, she found herself watching every game on TSN instead. Despite the absence from the stands, this experience has allowed her to have a better appreciation of all teams across the league and a deeper understanding of the divisions.
Martin Blanchette | Team: Montreal Alouettes
Als seat holders since ‘96! Martin and his cousin, Joël, had always gone to games together. However, due to a series of events, they have not been able to attend since 2018. In 2018, Joël had an accident and has not been able to work since. Fast forward to 2022, Martin suffered from long-term COVID, causing him to do rehabilitation for a year to relearn how to walk and function as best as possible. BUT, this year, they are finally able to return to cheer for their beloved Alouettes!
Ron Shivji | Team: Calgary Stampeders
Ron has been a CFL fan since the late 1980s! His passion is getting the next generation of fans excited by arranging large groups of 20-40 people to attend Stampeders games. He’s travelled far and wide for CFL games, including Grey Cup games in Vancouver, Edmonton, and Hamilton. His goal is to attend games in all 9 markets across the league – with only 3 more to go!
Steven Oatway | Team: BC Lions
Steven’s earliest memory of watching TV was the 1963 Grey Cup in Vancouver. He’s followed the Lions every season since the late 70s – getting to know many players and fans personally. As a true fan, he even attended the first game at the new BC Place in 1983, and the first one in the refurbished BC Place in 2011. He believes that when you are a true fan, you let the whole word know and have faith in your team and players, through thick and thin. In addition to his love for the CFL, Steven also played and coached at the amateur level.
Wylma Williams | Team: Saskatchewan Roughriders
Wylma’s dedication to the Riders will never fade! She’s traveled across the country to see games, attends almost every home game – and ALWAYS stays until the final whistle (in true CFL fashion). Her and her family love being a part of the Riders community!
Cast your vote for the ultimate fan moment and help decide who will take home the grand prize! Head to the link here to cast your vote and be entered into a sweepstakes for a pair of Baffin boots & CFL tickets.
