Montreal Alouettes have the music in them when it comes to practice sessions
The Montreal Alouettes like their tunes, with loudspeakers blaring during practice.
On Friday, Tim Hortons Field reverberated to the likes of the Notorious B.I.G., Young Dolph, 2Pac, Waka Flocka Flame, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Moneybagg Yo, Travis Scott, Meek Mill, Key Glock and Lil Baby.
In contrast, the Blue Bombers practiced without a soundtrack although on Tuesday they worked out to the rasping sound of white noise piping through the speakers.
"When we're teaching we don't use the music," Alouettes coach Jason Maas said of training.
But music plays for a good chunk of the sessions, with more than a few players busting a move or mouthing lyrics.
"Since we've gone to it, I've really enjoyed it," Maas said. "It takes a little bit of getting used to but once you have it, it's hard not to have it any more, to be honest."
"When I go to another practice that doesn't have music, it makes it drag on, in my opinion," he added.
While Friday's playlist was all hip-hop, the musical menu varies. Wednesdays are often country music.
"I don't have a say in any songs, to be honest with you," Maas said with a smile. "I think this year maybe there's been a couple of times I've had requests.
"And obviously, if I'm asking for something, it's going to get done," he said with a chuckle. "But I try not to use that card very often. The music's not worth it to me. That card, I don't use if for the music, let's put it that way."
The music also forces players to get used to operating in loud conditions during games, says Maas.
"It gives an energy to your practice," said veteran offensive lineman Kristian Matte. "I thoroughly enjoy it. I'm a guy who loves music to begin with, doesn't matter what kind of music. It gets us in a rhythm.
"We have fun with it. Playing football is fun so we might as well have fun doing it."
Asked who chooses the playlist, fellow lineman Philippe Gagnon laughed. "It's never me, for some reason. What's up with that?"
Usually, the equipment guys pick the tunes.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 17, 2023
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Conservatives call on Elon Musk to step in after Liberals provide loan to Ottawa-based satellite operator
A $2.14-billion federal loan for an Ottawa-based satellite operator has Canadian politicians arguing about whether American billionaire Elon Musk poses a national security risk.
Sunken superyacht believed to contain watertight safes with sensitive intelligence data
Specialist divers surveying the wreckage of the US$40 million superyacht that sank off Sicily in August, killing seven people including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, have asked for heightened security to guard the vessel, over concerns that sensitive data locked in its safes may interest foreign governments, multiple sources told CNN.
Myths busted and lessons learned: John Vennavally-Rao on his surgery to reverse his ostomy
Twenty-seven year CTV News reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao shares his story of what it was like to have an ostomy bag as part of his health-care battle. 'I’m grateful for what it did to extend my life,' he writes in a personal column for CTVNews.ca.
B.C. election campaign officially underway
The British Columbia election campaign is set to officially start today, with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin issuing the writ for the Oct. 19 vote.
Northern Ont. man fined for hunting bull moose without a licence after trying to cover it up
A northern Ontario man is facing a $12,000 fine after illegally shooting a moose near the Batchawan River.
Heavy metal exposure could increase cardiovascular disease risk, study finds
A new study is adding to emerging research showing that exposure to metals such as cadmium, uranium and copper may also be associated with the leading cause of death worldwide, cardiovascular disease.
Operation to remove Nearly 1,000 tires from the Saint Lawrence River
Unusual flippered feet are making their way into the Saint Lawrence River this weekend. Led by underwater explorer and filmmaker Nathalie Lasselin, volunteer divers are combing the riverbed near Beauharnois in Montérégie to remove hundreds of tires that have been polluting the aquatic environment for decades.
Hezbollah targets base near Haifa after Israeli strike in Beirut killed 37, including top commander
The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah announced that it fired a barrage of missiles at a military base deep inside Israel early Sunday following an Israeli airstrike more than a day earlier that killed at least 37 people, including one of the militant group’s senior leaders as well as women and children.
Rescuers free entangled sea lion off Vancouver Island
A sea lion swam free after a rescue team disentangled it near Vancouver Island earlier this week.