Spencer Watt joins Ticats, announces turn to "the dark side" on Twitter, Argos threaten to unfollow
The CFL's players and teams have figured out some creative uses of social media over the last few years, and now they're bringing that to Tuesday's opening of the free agency period. Toronto Argonauts' Canadian receiver Spencer Watt appears to have signed with the rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats, which he announced with an interesting Twitter tease:
I've turned to the dark side.
— Spencer Watt (@swatt89) February 10, 2015
That drew some good responses from Ticats' fans:
Don't worry, @swatt89. On the dark side, we have cookies.
— Josh Smith (@JoshSmith_82) February 10, 2015
@swatt89 if it's the hammer, it's the light!! http://t.co/WnWhi2GqiV.the.stands.with.cookiesandcandles @ticats
— Brian Broom (@Bbroomcfl) February 10, 2015
@swatt89 pic.twitter.com/Qbo5goUvVU
— Brian Broom (@Bbroomcfl) February 10, 2015
And a particularly great one from his old team:
Don't make us do it... #CFLFA15 #CFL RT @swatt89: I've turned to the dark side. pic.twitter.com/yGT80y9QxY
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) February 10, 2015
Watt later confirmed the signing in less ambiguous terms, thanking his old team and giving a salute to the fans of his new team:
Thank you everyone in toronto 4 everything.Jim Barker 4 the opportunity. Coaching staff players and especially the fans that supported me
— Spencer Watt (@swatt89) February 10, 2015
Wish I could of started and finished my career in Toronto. It was a tough decision, good luck this year to the whole Argo organization.
— Spencer Watt (@swatt89) February 10, 2015
Oskee wee wee!
— Spencer Watt (@swatt89) February 10, 2015
Watt should be an interesting addition for Hamilton. The Simon Fraser alum is a five-year CFL vet, but he's just 26, and he has 1,715 career yards and nine touchdowns. He's never put up a dazzling statistical season (his best yardage total is 424 yards in 2012), but that's partly a function of Toronto's deep receiving corps and partly thanks to some injuries. He may be featured more regularly in Hamilton, especially with Sam Giguere likely to move on. We'll see what he does with the Ticats, but he certainly found a good (and unique) way to announce his decision.