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CFLers challenge Canadian women's soccer team, who respond with a great video

andrew bucholtz
B.C Lions LB Adam Bighill (44) celebrates a sack against the Ottawa Redblacks during the first half of their CFL football game in Vancouver, British Columbia, October 11, 2014. REUTERS/Ben Nelms (CANADA - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Women's World Cup fever is spreading ahead of the tournament's start Saturday, and it seems to have caught on with the CFL. Marc-Olivier Brouillette, a Canadian linebacker with the Montreal Alouettes, and Adam Bighill, an import linebacker with the B.C. Lions, sent out a video challenge to the Canadian women's team Thursday, and the CFL's official account tweeted it at the Canadian Soccer Association account. That led to an official acceptance of the challenge and some great results. Here's the initial video, which includes footage of Bighill's 2014 juggling volley field goal:

And here's how Canadian soccer players Sophie Schmidt, Adriana Leon, Steph Labbe and Selenia Iacchelli responded Friday:

That's a pretty good response, with all of the players showing off their skills at Canadian football. Canadian midfielder Kaylyn Kyle later added another video of her own, of her making a 45-yard field goal at the Seattle Seahawks' practice field:

Kyle impressed Ottawa Redblacks' quarterback Henry Burris with that one:

The CFL responded to the women's challenge, too, with Bighill, Brouillette, Calgary QB Bo Levi Mitchell, Ottawa RB Chevon Walker and Hamilton SB Andy Fantuz showing off their soccer skills in an attempt to hit the crossbar:

There have been lots of other good moments between these organizations, too, including Winnipeg Blue Bombers' defensive back Teague Sherman wearing a Canada scarf and wishing good luck to Winnipeg's own Desiree Scott and the rest of the Canadian team:

It's neat to see Canadian soccer and the CFL supporting each other with fun videos. The two organizations have a lot in common, and they often share facilities; Women's World Cup matches will be played in CFL stadiums in Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver. That could create some animosity, as it's forced the rearrangement of the CFL preseason and the first few weeks of the schedule, but the CFL and its players seem to be taking that very well so far and declaring their support for the Canadian team. It's great to see Canada's professional football league support that other form of football.