Darrell Davis: Getting the Stampeders to listen

Dave Dickenson is two-for-two but he wants more.

In his two CFL seasons as the Calgary Stampeders’ head coach, Dickenson has twice led his team to the Grey Cup game. The Stampeders were favoured last year in Toronto when they were upset by the Ottawa Redblacks.

This year in Ottawa, the Stampeders are again favoured to beat the Toronto Argonauts in the 105th Grey Cup on Sunday. What Dickenson learned from last year’s loss is being used to benefit this year’s team.

Dickenson admitted the Stampeders last year were overconfident. They also enjoyed their free time too much leading up to the game. They weren’t focused on the task at hand.

During the traditional coaches’ press conference leading up to Grey Cup, Dickenson informed the media that he’s been telling his players: “Football first!” and “Be selfish!”

He wants his players to set aside family responsibilities and any late-night carousing until after the game. We’ll find out Sunday if his players listened.