The
Buffalo Bills in Toronto.
It's a sentence NFL fans here have dreamed about for years. But now it's finally happening, with the team from across the border getting set to play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Rogers Centre Thursday night in a sold-out game organizers hope will make a big impression on the league.
The game is mostly sold out, but there are still a stubborn few trying to get tickets. Bills fan Mike Dorion set up camp at
3am
trying to get any last minute ducats. "I'm going to get my chair and sit down and wait patiently," he sighs. "And that's all I can do."
But for those who live, work and drive around the domed stadium, it comes with more than just the ticket price. As a condition of coming here, the NFL has some strict safety standards that have been put in place and residents who live near the field have suddenly found themselves in the middle of a very tight security zone.
All residents who live there have had to obtain special passes and permits from their buildings to show their cars belong in the area until after game time. And many roads have been blocked so no vehicles can get within 100 feet of the Rogers Centre.
Some see it as a huge hassle but most don't seem to mind, believing a big turnout may give the NFL a hint that a Toronto franchise could be a big money maker.
But if you don't live in the area and are going to the game, you may still be affected. A massive tailgate party that starts at Wellington and Blue Jays Way at 4pm means one of the biggest parking lots will be taken up and you won't be able to leave your car in its usual spot if you plan to drive downtown.
Your best bet to join the expected 55,000-strong crowd: the Better Way. In fact in this case, the TTC may be the Only Way to answer the question 'are you ready for some football?'
"By taking public transit, it's good," relates Staff Sgt. Brad Dove. It lightens the traffic, too. So that's a good way to go."
Here are the closures:
- Blue Jays Way, Front Street to Spadina Ave.,
- Bremner Boulevard, Lower Simcoe to Spadina Ave.,
- Rees St., Bremner Boulevard to Lakeshore Boulevard W.
For those who live in the core, it's a bit of an inconvenience but most can take it for one day.
"I think it's a great idea. I think it's really good for the city," praises Julia Asae. "It will bring people in who maybe normally wouldn't come and it's good."
Kenny Cheung is an NFL fan from way back. "Everyone wants to see a football game," he assures. "When you watch football you want to see the best of the best, not the CFL."
Hopefully, beginning Thursday, they'll have both.
Can't get tickets? You can see the big game on
Citytv starting at 7:30pm.
Photo credit: Harry How/Getty Images