I can’t believe I was ducknapped again.
This time, the culprit was one of my human’s riding buddies, a fellow nicknamed PYRO. Strange name, right? Well, it turns out the name fits him perfectly.
PYRO has more than 20 years of pyrotechnics experience, so when it comes to fireworks, booming cannons, and spectacular displays, he knows his stuff.
On the morning of Winnipeg’s famous Banjo Bowl, my human met some fellow riders for breakfast.
While everyone was busy eating, PYRO launched a secret mission of his own: Operation Rubber Duck.
When my human was ready to leave, I had vanished.
All that remained was a note announcing that BOB was going to the game!
The Banjo Bowl is one of the biggest rivalry games on the Canadian Football League calendar.
It features the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders and is traditionally played in Winnipeg on the weekend following their Labour Day Classic in Regina.
The rivalry is fierce, the fans are passionate, and the stadium is packed with blue, gold, green, and plenty of good-natured banter.
The game’s name traces back to 2003, when Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood jokingly referred to people from Saskatchewan as “banjo-pickin’ inbreds.”
He later apologized, but the remark inspired the Banjo Bowl name, and a new football tradition was born.
Now, back to the important part: me! I’m not going to lie. Once I discovered where PYRO was taking me, I was pretty excited.
This little rubber duck was about to experience one of Winnipeg’s most celebrated sporting events from an incredible vantage point.
I even dreamed of a change in headgear!
PYRO placed me proudly on the cannon, where I watched thousands of fans stream into the stadium.
Blue and gold jerseys filled the stands, while enthusiastic Roughriders supporters added waves of bright green.
The noise grew louder, the anticipation built, and the entire stadium seemed to buzz with energy.
From my front-row perch, I could see it all.
PYRO took excellent care of me, and I felt like an honorary member of the game-day crew.
The Bombers won, but there wasn’t much scoring, so we didn’t get to fire the cannon very often.
Still, the entire experience was a blast. Yes, pun absolutely intended!
The next day, my human came to pick me up as quickly as possible. I suppose he missed having his favourite rubber duck around.
Now I’m safely back home with another unforgettable BOBortunity under my wings.
I attended the Banjo Bowl, perched on a cannon, met passionate football fans, and survived yet another ducknapping.
Thank you, PYRO, for an amazing adventure. You can kidnap me again anytime!
NEVER MISS A
