The Ottawa Redblacks have set a new record as they now hold the longest losing streak in the modern era of the CFL. Following their 33-21 defeat to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday night, the Redblacks marked their 15th consecutive loss, spanning back to the previous season. This surpasses the previous record held by the Shreveport Pirates, who had a 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 new record, labeling it as a modern-day milestone. The news was met with disappointment by Jimmy Fata, a devoted Redblacks fan present at the game in Winnipeg, who expressed frustration over the team’s ongoing struggles without a clear solution in sight.
In a longstanding tradition at home games, a log section is cut for every Redblacks touchdown, but Fata noted the scarcity of such celebrations lately due to the team’s poor performance. The Redblacks’ current losing streak not only sets a modern CFL record but also ranks as the third-longest in CFL history dating back to 1907.
Looking ahead, another defeat against the Montreal Alouettes could see the Redblacks tying the Hamilton Wildcats for the second-place spot in the longest losing streaks. Despite the challenging situation, Daniel emphasized the need for the team to focus on rebuilding, particularly on the defensive side, to improve their performance.
While acknowledging the team’s struggles, Fata emphasized the importance of unwavering support from fans during tough times, likening it to supporting a child through both good and bad phases. Despite the string of losses, he remains optimistic about the team’s potential for improvement and continues to stand by them as a loyal football fan.