VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- O. J. Brigance heard the phrase a year ago, when Sacramento was christened the first United States team in the Canadian Football League.
"The Border War."
It was a catchy slogan designed to promote three-down football in four-down territory.
Brigance was a linebacker with the B.C. Lions at the time and a native of Houston. Nevertheless, upon entry into Sacramento last season, he and the Lions were "treated like foreigners," he said.
This week, before the Baltimore CFLs meet the Lions in Sunday's 82nd Grey Cup, the phrase almost certainly will be recycled. When it is, Brigance will find himself on the other side of the fence.
"There's a little sadness that many people in Canada don't want American cities in the league," said Brigance, now a rush end with Baltimore. "A lot of old hats don't like the idea. It's been tough on them. [But] that's the transition the league is going through.
"This will [turn into] 'The Border War,' 'North vs. South,' 'U.S.A. vs. Canada.' "
The issue of nationality glowed like a beacon last Sunday in Winnipeg, where the CFLs knocked off the defending Eastern Division champion Blue Bombers, 14-12. There were anti-American banners, and at least two fans waved upside-down U.S. flags.
It is an issue that figures to resurface several times this week. Brigance's discomfort in that situation -- he quickly points out there are 17 Americans on every Canadian roster -- is offset by his eagerness to return to the city where he spent three CFL seasons.
This is a dream come true -- to play in the Grey Cup against his old team in his old town.
But when he looks across the line of scrimmage, he won't see his old buddies.
"I will see guys trying to put my ring on their hand," he said. "Off the field, I have a lot of good friends in B.C. But we're trying to
build memories, and they're standing in our way."
After Brigance played out his option last year with B.C. and became a free agent, he considered offers from Baltimore and Las Vegas in the U.S. and the Lions in Canada.
Sensing his best opportunity to reach the Grey Cup was in Baltimore, he opted to join the expansion team and switch from linebacker to rush end.
"There was some negative recruiting," he said. "Some people told me, 'You won't get to the Grey Cup there.' "
What he saw in coach Don Matthews' program, though, was a soundness that had been missing elsewhere.
"I felt we would have an opportunity here [to reach the Cup]," Brigance said. "I knew with the type people he was bringing in, it was a possibility to do that.
"I just think this whole team is blessed. It's been a great year. For some reason, I don't feel like it's complete yet. Other teams I was with, I always had a sense of sudden death. With this team, I haven't felt that way."
Brigance's season escalated along with the CFLs, who won eight of their last 10 games. When the team signed free-agent rush end Elfrid Payton in August, it enabled Brigance to move from strong-side rush end to the quick side, a position better suited to his speed.
After a slow start, and on a defense that did not compile gaudy statistics, he finished with six sacks, tied for the team high. He also led the team in "delivery sacks," or hits on the quarterback after he has released the ball.
With the hometown Lions in the Grey Cup, B.C. Place hardly will qualify as a neutral site Sunday. Once the Lions beat Calgary, 37-36, in the Western final Sunday, ticket sales for the Grey Cup jumped by nearly 14,000 over a 12-hour period to more than 49,000. The domed stadium seats 60,000.
Brigance said he expects more of what the CFLs heard and saw last Sunday.
"It changes things to the point we may be going into a Winnipeg situation again, but without snowballs," he said. "They'll be looking to distract us in any way they can."
Brigance figures to mix some fun with his business in what amounts to a quasi-homecoming.
"I will enjoy the festivities of Grey Cup week," he said. "When it's time for business, it's business. No one remembers a second-place team. We want to bring the championship back to Baltimore."
GREY CUP 1994
BALTIMORE CFLs (14-6) vs. B.C. LIONS (13-6-1)
WHERE: B.C. Place, Vancouver, British Columbia
WHEN: Sunday, 6:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN2 (except in city, cable Ch. 41)
RADIO: WJFK (1300 AM)