Brad Sinopoli was the first Ottawa Redblack to see his name etched onto a plate on the Grey Cup.

When he got his sneak peek Tuesday, he wanted to get an extra close look during Mark’s CFL Week in Regina.

“I had to make sure the spelling of my name was right,” said the Redblacks receiver with a laugh. “My number was messed up on my Grey Cup ring (from 2014 with the Calgary Stampeders).

“To see my name on the Cup, it was very exciting, it was cool. I took a picture of it. I guess winning the Grey Cup ... it’s official now.”

Soon enough, it’ll be back to business for Sinopoli and the Redblacks when the pursuit of another Grey Cup — the game will be played in Ottawa — will begin.

For now, though, Sinopoli, Diontae Spencer, Greg Ellingson, Antoine Pruneau, Trevor Harris and Kenny Shaw are soaking up CFL Week. A CFL initiative to pack together player availabilities, with fan interactive events along with the league’s pre-draft Combine is already proving a hit.

“I think it’s great, it’s a first for the players, to get to know each other a bit more,” said Sinopoli. “(Players) are excited about this. It’s kind of like a Grey Cup game without the game. No one’s really under pressure. We kind of get to enjoy the week, the fans get to come out and meet players. (It’s the time of year where there’s) no football going on, so you can get your football fix, too.”

Interacting with opponents from around the league is a bonus.

“A lot of times, you don’t even know what they look like, you only see them with their helmet on,” said Sinopoli. “It’s cool. You have that mutual respect for them.

“This is a chance to grow the league. We’re getting more exposure which is good for us and it’s good for the fans.”

As for Sinopoli, he’s currently house hunting and enjoying the down time before the first step toward the Redblacks season – a mini camp near the end of April at TD Place.

It’s been quite the ride for Sinopoli, the former Ottawa Gee-Gees star who has back-to-back seasons of 1,000 receiving yards.

“December was really fun,” he said. “The buzz around the city was pretty crazy. Once the New Year comes, you get back into your regular routine. Now you have a big target on your back and you prep for a new season. You can only ride the Grey Cup for so long — you enjoy it as long as you can and then you get ready to play again.”

Later this week — Friday and Saturday – many of the country’s top prospects will be interviewed and tested by the nine CFL teams. Sinopoli went through the poking and prodding in 2011 — as a quarterback.

“I remember the interviews were really tough,” he said. “It’s the first time you meet coaches and GMs. You walk into a room and there are six or seven guys, they’re real quiet. It’s a real intimidating atmosophere. It’s tough, they’re trying to put you under pressure, put you on the spot. Different teams have different tactics. Some were welcoming, others were stone cold, it was a tough room to be in. Once that’s over and you get doing the football stuff, it’s like everything you’ve been doing. Then in a blink of an eye, it’s over.”

EIGHT MONTHS TO GO

The Grey Cup Festival in Ottawa (leading into the Nov. 26 Grey Cup) begins in eight months.

“The 105th Grey Cup and Grey Cup Festival will be an exclamation point on a year-long celebration,” said Bernie Ashe, CEO of Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group. “The 105thGrey Cup Festival will bring together established and loyal football supporters with a new generation of young and passionate fans. We’re excited to welcome everyone to our nation’s capital as we celebrate this great game and our great country.”

Over the coming months, the 105th Grey Cup Festival committee will unveil a series of free and ticketed events that include a concert series, the CFL Gala, team parties, street festival, cheer extravaganza, Shaw CFL Awards, kids zone and one of the largest tailgates in CFL history.

SPENCER WON'T SWEAT PRESSURE

Diontae Spencer says there’s no pressure in joining the Ottawa Redblacks.

He’s seen what happened in Ottawa the past two years. He just wants to fit in and do his part. In his case, his part is making plays.

“I want to be a playmaker,” said Spencer, who is in Regina for the Mark’s CFL Week festivities. “I’m hoping to bring speed, excitement and do things in the return game. They have four guys who went over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. I want to come in and make plays. If I can do that, team success will come along with that.”

With Chris Williams and Ernest Jackson gone, Spencer and Kenny Shaw will step into an offensive juggernaut led by quarterback Trevor Harris.

“The Redblacks expect to win, they’ve had two great years,” said Spencer. “There are high expectations and you want to come in and fill those expectations. There’s no pressure. Pressure is playing behind a CFL legend like Chad Owens. Pressure is him getting traded and me being that guy that has to step in. Coming into this situation, getting familiar with the position, it’s just coming in and doing whatever I can.”

The Redblacks signed Spencer, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Sunday, on Feb. 14, the first day of free agency. As a Toronto Argonaut in 2016, Spencer had 71 catches for 706 yards. He also returned 33 punts for 341 yards.

Said Spencer: “The past two years, I’ve been beating up on (the Redblacks), now I’m part of it, I’m excited. It’s a new oportunity, it’s a new situation. Everybody’s been telling me about how the city’s great, the fans are great and the locker room is great — there’s a good bond there.