The Ottawa Redblacks have set a new record for the longest losing streak in the CFL’s modern era. They suffered their 15th consecutive defeat against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, extending back to the previous season. This surpasses the Shreveport Pirates’ 14-game losing streak in 1994.
Steve Daniel, a CFL historian and the league’s associate vice-president of football analytics and statistics, confirmed Ottawa’s modern-day record. The disappointing news was met with dismay by fans like Jimmy Fata, who expressed a desire to pinpoint and resolve the team’s issues.
In a longstanding tradition, the Redblacks commemorate touchdowns by cutting “wood cookies” with the team’s logo, but lately, these celebrations have been scarce. The team’s losing streak now ranks as the third-longest in CFL history since 1907.
Further losses could see the Redblacks tie with the Hamilton Wildcats for the second-longest streak. However, the record for the most consecutive losses belongs to two Ottawa CFL clubs from the late 1920s and early 1930s. Daniel highlighted the evolution of professional football in Canada post-World War II, contrasting the current professional landscape with the amateur origins of the sport.
Looking ahead, Daniel suggested the Redblacks focus on rebuilding their roster, particularly on defense. Despite recent improvements, the team struggles in the red zone, leading to missed scoring opportunities. Fans like Fata emphasize the importance of unwavering support for the team through thick and thin, even during challenging times.