The Ottawa Redblacks have officially set a new record for the longest losing streak in the modern era of the CFL. Their 15th consecutive defeat came on Friday night when they were defeated 33-21 by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, extending their losing streak from the previous season. This surpasses the previous record held by the Shreveport Pirates, who lost 14 games in a row in 1994, as confirmed by Steve Daniel, a CFL historian and the league’s associate vice-president of football analytics and statistics.
Jimmy Fata, a devoted Redblacks fan who witnessed the record-setting loss in Winnipeg, expressed his disappointment at the team holding this ignominious distinction. Fata highlighted the lack of clarity on the reasons behind the team’s struggles and expressed a desire for a solution to be found.
The Redblacks’ losing streak now stands as the third-longest in CFL history, dating back to 1907. Another loss against the Montreal Alouettes would see them tie with the Hamilton Wildcats for the second-longest losing streak of 16 games. The record for the longest losing streak in CFL history is held by two Ottawa clubs, the Ottawa Rough Riders and Ottawa Senators, who collectively lost 25 consecutive games between 1928 and 1932.
Daniel emphasized the significant evolution of the league post-Second World War, transitioning from amateur status to professionalized teams paying players competitively. He pointed out that the Wildcats were a short-lived team with minimal success.
Regarding the current Redblacks’ struggles, Daniel suggested that a continued roster rebuild, especially on the defensive side, is necessary. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie has already made changes after the eighth loss, showing signs of improvement in the team’s performance. Fata stressed the importance of unwavering fan support during tough times, likening it to standing by a child through thick and thin.
The Redblacks’ challenges are further highlighted by their poor performance in the red zone, where they have the lowest success rate in the league. Fata remains optimistic about the team’s future, emphasizing the loyalty and resilience needed to weather the storm of continuous losses.
