Time can bring perspective to all of us, including Canadian Football League Commissioner Stuart Johnston.
Less than three months ago, Johnston introduced changes to the league's rules, which are planned to be implemented in 2026 and 2027.. Commish asked a question 3DownNation at that big press conference at the X Hotel in downtown Toronto, could he guarantee the league would stay with three downs and he didn't.
However, judging by his response during Friday's League Gray Cup appearance, it appears he regrets not being clearer in his initial response in September.
“You asked me, I answered the same way I answer my children. I say, “Hey, there are no guarantees in life.” I had to say that not only can I guarantee that we are a three-down game, but I can guarantee that anything other than that never crossed our minds,” Johnston said.
In April 2022 inheritance of Madaini of the Future The Calgary Stampeders and Toronto Argonauts have reportedly voted to change the league to four downs. Then-CEO John Hufnagel admitted to voting for four downs, but said it was misinterpreted. and that he simply wanted to explore potential change rather than immediate change.
At that time the CFL was all aspects of the gameplay are tested after a drop in performance in 2021, with then-commissioner Randy Ambrosie not ruling out a fundamental change to Canadian rules until the vote on the matter becomes final.
54 year old man Johnston was hired by the board of governors in April 2025.
Based on his latest response in Winnipeg, it appears that fans who want the CFL to remain a three-under league have been given the certainty they've been craving.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders (13-6) and Montreal Alouettes (12-8) will meet in the 112th Gray Cup at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg on Sunday, November 16, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 pm ET.
The Alouettes defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Eastern final by a score of 19-16.Bye The Roughriders came back to defeat the BC Lions in the Western final, 24-21.. The teams split two regular-season meetings, but Montreal defenseman Davis Alexander missed both games due to left hamstring injury.
The weather forecast for Winnipeg calls for sunshine and temperatures up to three degrees. The game will be broadcast on TSN, CTV and RDS in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the US and CFL+ worldwide.
This is the fifth time the Gray Cup will be held in Winnipeg and the second time it will be held at Princess Auto Stadium. The stadium's first Gray Cup was held in 2015, when Edmonton defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 26–20 and Michael Reilly was named the game's MVP.
