Storyline: It’s clear to me that WE THE NORTH! isn’t just about the Raptors. Standing together is important to fans, athletes, and people of this great city!
What a year 2016 was for Toronto sports! And Toronto was once rated the worst sports city in North America. Toronto is no longer a Leafs’ city. It’s a sports city!
The Toronto Raptors made the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Toronto Blue Jays made the American League Championship Series.
And Toronto’s football club got on the map by playing in the Major League Soccer finals.
Courtesy: Pinterest
But let’s face it: for a very long time (as long as I can remember) the main show in town, Toronto Maple Leafs, have been losers. Regardless of horrible record or ability to throw away games the Air Canada Centre would always be packed. Fans would wear Leafs’ jerseys and cheer at the top of their lungs. It’s a reminder that Toronto is a hockey city, a Leafs’ city.
But with losing came a down feeling–that Toronto was just lucky enough to have professional sports teams. Win? Forget it. Our teams were going nowhere.
2016 was different. It was legendary!
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors made history. The NBA’s most fun duo, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, lead the only team North of the border to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team that went on to win it all.
Courtesy: thestar.com
Before 2016, Toronto fans would have to watch the NBA on TV once it was time for the playoffs. But this year they saw playoff basketball unfolding right in our backyard. And the city took advantage every game night.
There was magnetic Jurassic Park, located right outside of the Air Canada Centre. There would be a huge line-up of fans folding around Bay St. Fans would watch their home team play on the big screen. Entrance was free and free merchandise was given out.
You could even participate in contests on stage in front of over 1500 people to win tickets for the next home game. I got involved, winning a dance battle on stage! I won tickets to Game 5 in the Second Round against Dwayne Wade and his (then) Miami Heat. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences ever!
Yes, the Raptors were outmatched by a better team in the Cavs, but they got a chance to measure themselves on the biggest stage yet. The North will rise again!
Back in 2014 Globe and Mail writer, Cathal Kelly, dissed the idea that the Raptors might one day overtake the Maple Leafs. He wrote: “The Leafs may be losers, but the Raptors will never rule Toronto.” To that I say Kelly spoke too soon!
Toronto Blue Jays
Courtesy: CBSSports.com
Once September rolled around, and the weather started to cool in The 6ix, this once red-clad city turned blue as the Toronto Blue Jays became the topic of conversation.
They walked off the Baltimore Orioles at home in the AL Wild Card Game and then completed a three-game sweep over Texas in the AL Division Series.
But, then, after scoring 10 runs in the first game of the ALDS, Toronto’s offense went cold in the ALCS. The Jays scored eight runs total in five games against Cleveland. Yeah, the Jays lost, but the Jays reminded the country how fun playoff baseball could be.
Toronto Football Club
Then, there was the team no one outside the soccer world seemed to talk about … until now: The Toronto Football Club. It was -6°C in “The 6,” but over 34,000 fans — a new record — witnessed the MLS Cup Finals at BMO Field. The Seattle Sounders and TFC–two teams that never would have been predicted to make it–faced off in the frigid weather.
Courtesy: Son of a Broker
Towards the end of the season, long-time fans and Toronto sports fans felt anticipation, shock, and jubilation. The second leg of the Eastern final against the Montreal Impact stirred up lots of emotion as TFC rallied to win 3-2 in regulation. That rally tied the two-game series on aggregate and forced 30 minutes of extra time. And the Reds went on to outscore the Impact, 2-0.
Then, on a cold Finals’ night, over 1500 Seattle fans tried (and failed) to take over the red crowd with their blue and green gear. Both teams were unable to up the other, although Toronto controlled the whole game. It was an anxiety-rising 120 minutes plus penalty shoot-out.
Toronto lost in the most painful way possible, 5-4, on the shoot out. I’ll never forget the silence that overtook the stadium as Toronto fans tried to process what had just happened in front of them.
Regardless of the loss, the success and run Toronto FC pulled off had a positive impact: it melted away a decade of frustration. When asked how it felt to make history, superstar Jozy Altidore said it almost felt like “soccer in Toronto is reborn again.” And it will definitely keep growing from here on out!
We The North! Is Real
Courtesy: theplayerstribune.com
In 2016 each Toronto team supported the other, symbolizing the strength and unity of Toronto sports.
It’s clear to me that We The North! isn’t just about the Raptors. Standing together is important to fans, the athletes, and the people of this great city!
