Why a TSN personality went off script and ripped CFL as 'hot garbage'

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I first met Luke Willson when he was playing in the NFL as a promising tight end with the Seattle Seahawks.

The initial impression was that the LaSalle, Ont., native was a well-spoken and thoughtful observer of the game that was his profession.

When Willson retired from his playing days and had the opportunity to talk about and analyze the game for TSN, he quickly became an insightful broadcaster with personality and thus the network wisely jumped on that considerable upside and increased his profile.

The next act may be the most profound yet for the unique football mind and personality.

Assigned as a regular to the network’s Friday Night Football CFL telecasts this season, to say Willson has made a massive impact just weeks into the role is an understatement. It started with a promise to “to be honest and tell the truth about the CFL” and the former Super Bowl champ hasn’t backed down.

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The most bombastic comments came off air and online this week when Willson was adamant that despite the thrilling finish in a Saskatchewan Roughriders/Toronto Argonauts game at BMO Field, the CFL game is flawed.

“If the goal is to grow the game and attract a younger demographic, the on field product of the Sask/Toronto game is just not going to cut it,” Willson wrote on X. “That game was hot garbage.”

Later in the lengthy post, Willson ripped the penalties called, referred to elements of the contest as “junk football” and outlined in detail why he felt that way.

Predictably, in the moments (and days) following Willson’s blunt version of his truth, the sensitivity of CFL apologists was exposed. He was dismissed as a hater of the Canadian game because he played in the NFL (untrue) and that he wanted to see it die (absurd given he coaches a team in London, Ont.)

And what makes him a voice that will continue to be worthy of being heard was his reaction to blowback from the predictable crowd in the CFL space.

“I log onto socials after the game and it’s tweet after tweet about how AMAZING the CFL is because of the kick return ending,” Willson posted. “Even articles and podcasts declaring the CFL’s greatness. It’s bold face lies.

“The league and the people who cover it are trying so hard to protect the game that their lack of honesty is ruining it. Why can’t we call it like it is. A bad football game.

“Let me be very clear, if the goal is to grow the game for a younger demographic, this sort of stuff will not do it. You’d have a better chance at pissing in a hot sauce bottle than having any sort of substantial growth with games like that.”

Tell us what you really feel, Luke? We suspect he will continue to do so and viewers will be the winners.

The beauty of Willson’s commentary is that it accentuated his wisdom both as a football guy and a broadcaster — a point he essentially acknowledged in another post on X late this week. He’s not professing to know everything, just to have an opinion and an educated one at that.

“I’ve received a crazy amount of thank you messages from just about everyone … front office, coaches, players (past and present) and fans,” Willson wrote. “Although they might not all agree on everything I’ve said, the dialogue has opened.”

Boom.

Willson doesn’t need to rip the CFL weekly to be an engaging success — and we suspect he’s too smart to fall into that trap. But to dismiss him as a former NFL player who wants the CFL to die is silly.

Was his criticism harsh? Damn straight it was. You may disagree with his comments, some of them open for debate. But you can’t dispute that he’s good, engaging television with a personality who ironically has the potential to do the opposite of what people are accusing him of and that’s make the game more popular.

You think the Willson commentary didn’t resonate? Think again. The topic was broached at a press conference with Hamilton Tiger-Cats QB Bo Levi Mitchell this week.

“Luke, welcome to the CFL. Tell me (the dramatic ending) wasn’t exciting. That’s for him to decide I guess,” Mitchell said.

And Willson certainly will — good or bad — as he described in a video post on X on Thursday.

“I’ll see you Friday night in Hamilton, everybody,” Willson said. “I hope its a great game.”

CAMERA DOESN’T LIE

The beauty of Willson’s pot-stirring is that it counters some of the sensitive approach TSN traditionally has employed in its CFL coverage. The rights-holder relationship can be a delicate one and reflected in some, but not all, of the commentary.

But know this: The artistry employed by game camera opportunity does a good job of avoiding at all costs the wide swaths of empty seats in CFL stadiums, most notably in Edmonton and Toronto. Tight camera work — presumably at the directive of producers — keeps viewers from seeing one of the big concerns in the league, concerns that tie into Willson’s worries.

SPORTSNET DUMPS ANOTHER VOICE

Tough gig to be a reporter at Sportsnet these days. The network has parted ways with Raptors court side reporter Savanna Hamilton as the broadcaster acknowledged on X.

“After three unforgettable seasons covering the team I grew up watching, my time on the Raptors sideline with Sportsnet has come to a close,” Hamilton wrote.

“Though I imagined this chapter lasting a little longer, I’m grateful for every moment, every lesson and every opportunity to grow while doing what I love.

“I always knew I was representing more than just myself. I carried the weight – and the pride – of the communities I come from. I hope I made you proud.”