Did Rob Ford curse the Argonauts in their loss to the Tiger-Cats?

TORONTO – Everything was going great for the Toronto Argonauts in their CFL East Division final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday. The Argos had a 24-17 halftime lead, were cruising on offence, and appeared poised to play in the Grey Cup for the second year in a row.

Then Mayor Rob Ford showed up.

Perhaps it was all a crazy coincidence, but from the time the embattled mayor was spotted making his way to his seat early in the second half, to the end of the game, the Argos did not score and lost 36-24.

Earlier this week, the mayor was wearing his personalized Argonauts jerseys when he made lewd comments to the press in response to recent allegations. The Argos were quick to distance themselves from him. Most people probably thought he wouldn’t be there Sunday to cheer for his favourite team. But there he was, sitting with fans in the lower bowl wearing that very same jersey.

Ford, and his antics, were a talking point for fans before the game even began. The opposing Hamilton fans took their shots at the city and the mayor, as seen in this photo:

But once Ford arrived, it turned in to an all-out circus. Or a distraction, more accurately. Fans mobbed him asking for handshakes and photos. Many fans in the 100-level seating stood trying to catch a glimpse, all while the play was going on. There was a heavy security presence around the mayor at all times.

The Rogers Centre jumbotron never once acknowledged his presence but some fans were reportedly ejected from the game while trying to get to Ford:

Meanwhile, on the field, the Argos went completely flat. After an explosive first half in which he threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns, quarterback Ricky Ray managed only 50 yards in the second half. They did not earn a first down in the third quarter. And they saw their 10-point lead turn into a three-point deficit by the end of the quarter.

The Argos’ hopes of repeating as Grey Cup champions were dashed for good in the fourth quarter. And the man the team didn’t want to be there was there to see them crash and burn, sending this fan home happy:

On this day, so was their football team.

The Rob Ford Curse, by the numbers:

On this day, so was their football team.

The Rob Ford Curse, by the numbers: