Ottawa Redblacks wide receiver Diontae Spencer is the first to admit he doesn’t know much about Halifax.
“I don’t even know how to spell Halifax,” said the 26-year-old CFLer from New Iberia, La., with a laugh Thursday. “H-A-fax.”
His fellow receiver R.J. Harris, who went to college in New Hampshire, hadn’t even heard of the Nova Scotia capital.
“First time I heard about Halifax to be honest with you,” he said. “I don’t know anything about it.”
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Slotback Dominique Rhymes, from Miami, had heard good things about the entertainment scene.
“I heard the night life is pretty good,” he said. “I’ve never been, but I think I might go in the coming months.”
Running back William Powell, from Duncanville, Texas, didn’t know much either.
“I know it is far east and I know it gets cold.”
Powell and company may need to bone up on their East Coast knowledge at some point soon.
The Maritime Football Partnership is aiming to bring a CFL franchise to Halifax.
The group says it has already received more than 5,000 season ticket deposits, stadium proposals are being evaluated and on Friday, it will reveal the results of a contest to name the team.
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Many believe Schooners is the odds-on favourite to be announced at an event during Grey Cup festivities in Edmonton. The Atlantic Admirals, the Convoy and the Storm were also on the initial list.
People who have laid down season-ticket deposits also had the opportunity to submit their own team names, and at least two – Privateers and Destroyers – have proved intriguing.
Spencer suggested the Sharks on Thursday, while Rhymes wanted the Dragons.
“It just fits,” he said.
Harris suggested Polar Bears to match the temperature in the winter, while Powell wanted to see some alliteration.
“The Halifax Horn Frogs – I don’t know,” he said.
Redblacks defensive lineman Nigel Romick, a Canadian who played his college ball at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, said he wants to see the CFL expand to the East Coast.
“Halifax is booming right now so I think it would be a great addition,” he said. “The donairs are pretty good over there.”
Ottawa offensive lineman Jon Gott, who joined the Redblacks when they were an expansion team, said he would love to play for a Halifax team if he is still in the game when it happens.
“My time might be done by then. But, hey, if I’m still around for that, I’ll go out there,” he said.
“I’ve done it once, I’ll do it again.”