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“I just felt in a moment when there might be a focus on negativity that there was time to refocus on the positive aspects of diversity. All you have to do is look at the names on those T-shirts and recognize these were players from every race, colour and creed who came to the league and were given an opportunity and became stars and Canadian icons. It’s not at all political, it’s just who we are and really worthy of celebration.”

Ambrosie said other CFL teams will don the T-shirts this week.

“We’ve already had those requests coming in . . . the teams are all getting excited about it,” he said. “I’m happy to say it looks as though this is being embraced by our teams, by the Canadian public.

“It’s something we should just continue to celebrate because it’s so much a part of being part of the CFL and being Canadian.”

In Calgary, Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson, who’s from Great Falls, Mont., says he was glad to see the initiative.

“I’m not into politics too much. I think we just should be treated as humans,” Dickenson said. “We’re all in the same boat. We’re all working hard for the same goals. I don’t understand what’s going on except that I want to treat people fairly and everybody’s the same in my mind.

“Just look at the Canadian content in our league, where they’re from. I think Canada is quite diverse. I like being up here. They adopted a Montanan so I feel like that’s a good thing. I really like being in Canada. I feel it’s quite diverse and a place I feel safe.”