“it’s becoming too american” — Doug Flutie questions new CFL rules

CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston has insisted that the league’s recent structural rule changes are not intended to mimic the NFL or its American counterparts. However, some of the game’s most celebrated figures are skeptical, and none more so than CFL legend Doug Flutie.

Speaking to Bob ‘The Moj’ Marjanovich on Super Bowl LX radio, Flutie expressed clear disapproval of the proposed adjustments. “Yeah, they’re trying to Americanize it a little bit, and I don’t like it,” Flutie said, emphasizing the importance of preserving the CFL’s unique identity.

The CFL revealed several controversial rule modifications back in September, which are set to be gradually implemented over the next two seasons. In 2026, the league will adjust the rouge, eliminating points for missed field goals, and shorten the play clock to 35 seconds of running time.

The following year, 2027, will see even more significant changes: goalposts will be moved to the back of the end zone, the end zone itself will be reduced to 15 yards, and the field will shrink to 100 yards, effectively removing the iconic 55-yard line.

What has particularly drawn criticism is the league’s approach to announcing these changes. General managers, coaches, and players were not consulted prior to the rollout, as CFL leadership feared that including too many voices could stall or complicate the decision-making process.

While commissioner Johnston reported no objections during the CFL winter meetings in January, the proposed alterations have remained divisive among fans, players, and analysts.

Flutie, who played in the league from 1990 to 1997 for the B.C. Lions, Calgary Stampeders, and Toronto Argonauts, sees a broader motive behind these changes. He believes the CFL is attempting to make the game easier to fit into more stadiums, possibly paving the way for expansion both within Canada and internationally.

“This is where I think it’s going. It’s hard to fit the field in a lot of stadiums, and they’re trying to make that happen for expansion purposes,” Flutie noted, referencing the logistical challenges that a shortened field could solve.

Other prominent voices in the CFL, like current Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke, have also expressed concerns that these changes could push the league closer to an Americanized, four-down model. For Flutie, the essence of the CFL has always been its wide-open fields, expansive playing surface, and unique rules that allowed him to excel.

He recalled his early days with the B.C. Lions in Winnipeg, describing the freedom and space that allowed him to scramble and create plays: “I go to turn it upfield, and I’ve got another 15 yards over here. I’ve got all kinds of space… More than anything, it put the fun back in football for me.”

While Flutie acknowledges that minor adjustments, like trimming a few yards from the end zone, may be acceptable, he remains adamant that the CFL’s distinctive style must be preserved.

For him, the field size, the style of play, and the rules all contributed to his success and enjoyment in the league. Any major shift toward the American model, he fears, risks diluting what has historically made Canadian football so exciting, dynamic, and unique.

In the end, Flutie’s perspective highlights a tension between modernization and tradition, expansion and identity, reminding CFL fans and administrators alike that preserving the league’s character is just as important as adapting it for the future.