A CFL community when we really needed it

The CFL brings family and friends together not only to cheer on their teams, but to build a community. When we were grappling with our confusion and sorrow on the one-year anniversary of our brother in-law’s death from suicide, we brought our community together the way we knew how; the way we learned from our love of football.

We kicked off an initiative in Calgary called Huddle Up for Suicide Prevention with the idea of connecting people in a positive, social setting. The goal was to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention by making conversations about suicide safe. We sold tickets to a Stamps game and had a tailgate party while we cheered for our team and shared our stories. 

Our community grew faster than we could have imagined

Since then, we have launched in Edmonton and Regina and will be kicking-off in Winnipeg in 2020. We have hosted many other events, formed initiatives and raised almost $100,000.00 for Canadian Mental Health.  

With the CFL’s help, we can make a difference

We think it’s possible to take Huddle Up league-wide and would love to begin talking with the league and CFL Commissioner, Randy Ambrosie to see if we can make this dream come true. Not for us. Not for money. For the people it can help; for the people it can save. 

The need to normalize conversations around mental health is clear among players, alumni and fans. The game we love so much can continue to build a community encouraging mental wellness. 

“HUDDLE UP FILLS A NEED WITHIN COMMUNITY - THEY BRING US TOGETHER AND LEAD FROM THE HEART TO FACILITATE THE CONVERSATIONS WE AS A SOCIETY NEED TO HAVE.”

Below are signatures of support for this initiative from those within the CFL community: players, alumni and fans.