The Grey Cup arrived in Toronto on Tuesday morning after being transported from Hamilton aboard Durham Region's police helicopter, flanked by two military choppers.
The trophy arrived at the Toronto Island Airport, after leaving the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, and then was whisked to Nathan Phillips Square for a ceremony to kick off festivities ahead of Sunday's 95th Grey Cup.
The Grey Cup arrives Tuesday in Toronto by Bison armoured vehicle.
(Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
The West-winning Saskatchewan Roughriders and East-champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers meet in the championship game at the Rogers Centre (CBC, 5:30 p.m. ET).
Several dignitaries were on hand for the ceremony, including CFL commissioner Mark Cohon and Toronto Mayor David Miller.
"The Canadian Football League is truly a Canadian league that's like no other professional sport, and the Grey Cup is a Canadian tradition that is like no other Canadian tradition," said Miller. "From coast, to coast to coast, the Grey Cup brings Canadians together every fall for a tremendous celebration."
Cohon concurred with Miller, saying the week that leads up the Grey Cup contest is "a time when our country stops and really enjoys Canada's game and Canada's league.
"We really, truly are a community-based league. It is about community, it's about the fans," the CFL commissioner said
Dubbed "Operation Steerling Silver," the transport of the Cup via police helicopter, which costs $1,000 per hour to operate, caused a bit of a stir among some taxpayers in Durham Region east of Toronto who believe the mission was just a football publicity stunt and that the Cup did not need police protection.
With files from the Canadian PressRelated
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