CFL bans Ottawa Redblacks chainsaw squad from sawing logs at 103rd Grey Cup in Winnipeg

It's been a familiar sight along the sidelines at Ottawa Redblacks home games: a crew of flannel-clad lumberjacks slicing a wooden "cookie"off a log wheneverthe team scores a touchdown.

The Algonquin Loggersports squad, however, won't be able to wield their chainsaws at Sunday's Grey Cup game in Winnipeg.

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The four-member squad currentlyin Winnipeg made up of faculty and recent graduates of Algonquin College's forestry technician program have been told their celebration could give the Redblacks an unfair advantage,saidJamie Bramburger, manager of community and student affairs at Algonquin'sPembroke campus.

Crew had permission revoked

The squad initially had permission to be at the Grey Cup and "perform as they normally would," said Bramburger, but on Saturday, as the crew flew to Winnipeg for the game,the league reversed that call.

"I don't know how it would [affect the game] from the perspective that this is really just a celebration after a touchdown is scored," said Bramburger.

"But as I've said, we respect the decision. Because at the end of the day, this is about the football game."

As of Sunday morning, the league was stillallowing thechainsawsquad to be on thesidelines with their gear, said Randy Burgess, vice-president of communications and content with theOttawa Sports and Entertainment Group, the consortium that operates theRedblacks.

Cookies given to 'special'fans

After the wooden cookiesare cut and branded with the Redblacks logo, one of the crew members typically picks it up and runs it along the sidelines of TD Place in Ottawa, whipping the crowd into a frenzy.

The cookies are often presented to someone "special" at the game, said Bramburger.

During the CFL's eastern final which the Redblacks won 35-28 over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats thanks to a thrilling 93-yardtouchdown pass in the final minutesone of the cookies was presented to the French ambassador in the wake of the Paris terror attacks, said Bramburger.

He said theLoggersportssquad is taking the news in stride, and they're still excited to be part oftoday'sgame.

'Out of their hands'

"They know that this is somethingthat is out of their hands, and they're prepared to do whatever is asked of them," said Bramburger.

"So if it is a milder celebration than would normally occur, that's okay with us. We'll just make sure that we blend in with all of those other Ottawa Redblacks fans that have made the trek to Winnipeg.

The now-slightly-quietergame between the Redblacks and the Edmonton Eskimos gets underway at 6 p.m. ET.