The Calgary Stampeders — the 2018 Grey Cup champions — were the toast of the town at the city’s celebration rally at Municipal Plaza on Tuesday.
At noon, fans congratulated their team on the win, enjoying a festival-like atmosphere with food trucks and with Macleod Trail closed in front of the Municipal Building.
WATCH: Global’s Leslie Horton is joined by Calgary Stampeders Derek Dennis, who came from the operating table to join the Stampeders Grey Cup celebration.
Global News anchor Linda Olsen and Calgary Today host Joe McFarland welcomed the crowd to the plaza.
Stampeders’ mascot Ralph the Dog, the Outriders cheerleaders and DJ Nitro entertained the crowd.
WATCH: Calgary Stampeders quaterback Bo Levi Mitchell thanks fans during a rally celebrating their Grey Cup win.
Then, with the Grey Cup in tow, the 2018 Calgary Stampeders entered centre stage sporting white cowboy hats.
“I just love coaching these guys, and it’s a privilege,” said head coach Dave Dickenson. “We love this city. And regardless of what I said a couple of weeks ago, we love Canada!”
Grey Cup MVP and starting quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was met with chants of “one more year” after telling the fans of the state the team left the Commonwealth Stadium home dressing room in.
“I know y’all didn’t get to be there to do it with us, but we messed up that Edmonton locker room up! That’s gonna smell like some Stampeders champagne there for a while.”
A raspy-voiced Alex Singleton let slip what he and his teammates have been doing since Sunday’s game.
“I haven’t slept that much, if you can’t tell. We’ve had a lot of drinks out of that Cup.”
WATCH: Stampeders head coach pokes fun at himself during Grey Cup celebration.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi named Nov. 27, 2018 “Calgary Stampeders Day” and exhorted the Stampeders to win the Grey Cup next year when Calgary hosts the CFL championship game.
WATCH: Global News Morning Calgary’s Doug Vaessen gets the fan reaction from the big win on Sunday.
These streets will close to vehicle traffic between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The city said CTrain and bus services will continue as usual.
WATCH: John Huffnagel thanks team for ‘bringing the cup home’
Tired but happy Stampeders filed off the buses at McMahon Stadium with the Grey Cup in tow on Monday.
WATCH: ‘We’ve had a lot of drinks out of the cup’: Stampeders’ Alex Singleton.
The Stampeders defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 27-16 for the CFL’s championship trophy less than 24 hours earlier in Edmonton.
WATCH: Global’s Leslie Horton interviews Grey Cup MVP Bo Levi Mitchell during the championship celebration rally.
Dickenson and several players arrived shortly after noon on Monday and were greeted by about 70 well-wishers in McMahon’s parking lot.
With files from The Canadian Press.
WATCH: The Calgary Stampeders returned home Monday with the Grey Cup in tow after winning the big game on Sunday. Deb Matejicka has more.
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