Luke Willson calls CFL game 'hot garbage,' starting media fight

Luke Willson (L) and Michael Ball. (Luke Willson and Michael Ball on X.)

CFL broadcaster Luke Willson sparked debate Sunday after calling Friday’s Saskatchewan Roughriders-Toronto Argonauts game “hot garbage.”

Willson, a former NFL player turned TSN CFL analyst, posted on X:

I told you I would be honest and tell the truth about the CFL. If the goal is to grow the game and attract a younger demographic, the on field product of the Sask/Toronto game is just not going to cut it. That game was hot garbage…Let me be clear in saying that I don’t think… — Luke Willson (@LWillson_82) June 22, 2025

Willson’s post sparked a wide range of reactions. Some CFL media and fans agreed with him, while others disagreed civilly, fueling thoughtful debates on X and Reddit’s r/CFL. But some, like former Roughriders broadcaster Michael Ball, fired back hard, insisting the CFL “doesn’t need fixing” and dismissing Willson as a “smug drive-by” who doesn’t truly watch or care.

📷 The Gospel According to Ballsy 📷

Let me preach for a second. The 3-Down Game is NOT broken. It doesn’t need fixing. And it sure as hell doesn’t need smug drive-by takes from people who don’t truly watch or care! I’m sick of the misinformed haters who chirp from their… pic.twitter.com/Wi6t2w813G — Michael Ball (@therealballsy) June 23, 2025

I’ll say this as plain as I can: The 3 down game of football is the best version of the game on planet! This version is only played in Canada. The CFL is the most exciting brand of pro football played by world class athletes—Full Fucking Stop!!!#CFL #exciting #football #fans pic.twitter.com/QF20mNLO1n — Michael Ball (@therealballsy) June 23, 2025

Willson fired back, posting, “Of course no one answers your calls,” accompanied by a string of clown emojis.

Hahahaha new top Numpty alert 🚨 this guy literally proves my point for me. But is too stupid to realize it.. His message: “Don’t say a bad word about this league even if it’s true” “Stand up and shout that we are better than the NFL” Of course no one answers your calls.… https://t.co/cMqTTMxXU3 — Luke Willson (@LWillson_82) June 23, 2025

There’s a deep history behind CFL quality debates and these two figures, but before diving in, it’s worth noting how rare this exchange is. Given that leagues often react harshly to mild criticism, it’s remarkable that a current national TV broadcaster openly called a game “hot garbage” and claimed growth chances are slim with performances like that. Even more unusual is how this sparked a full-blown flame war with another well-known media personality.

On the actual merits of Willson’s comments, discussion of a league’s quality of play, rules, and so on absolutely can’t be fully off the table. Quality of play matters for attracting and retaining fans, both in person and on broadcasts. And to his credit, Willson did avoid the obvious trap here of “Just make the whole league NFL rules,” which many have proposed before to much more negative reactions.

Willson makes a strong point about the CFL’s schedule. With only four games a week, every game is nationally televised and widely watched, even by fans not following those teams. Unlike the NFL, which can bury low-interest matchups in local windows like a Week 17 Titans-Jaguars game, the CFL has no such luxury. While the Argonauts are 0-3 now, they’re still reigning Grey Cup champs.

Most of Willson’s other points are subjective. Few would dispute his take on the excessive penalties, but the single point awarded for Saskatchewan’s missed field goal is more controversial. While some longtime CFL fans oppose the rouge rules, others embrace them for creating exciting, unique plays.

Not everyone agrees with Willson’s other criticisms, such as the short-pass-heavy touchdown drive or the CFL’s more frequent late-game clock stoppages, which often lead to exciting comebacks. Even some who share his concerns wish he’d dial back the harsh language; terms like “hot garbage” and “junk football” can alienate fans who enjoyed the game and give critics more ammunition.

That said, Ball’s dismissal of Willson as someone who “doesn’t watch or care” misses the mark. Willson clearly watches and cares deeply. He wouldn’t criticize a league he broadcasts otherwise.

Ultimately, the CFL’s unique rules and identity set it apart from other North American leagues, even as it faces constant comparison to the much larger NFL and regularly loses top talent to it. There is also a strong Canadian identity tied to the CFL and its rules, which fuels criticism of NFL veterans like Willson, who push for change. However, not all CFL fans agree with outspoken figures like Michael Ball.

Either way, Willson’s blunt approach has sparked a rare and revealing debate about the league’s future.

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