Many fans and athletes across the country were disappointed to hear the Canadian Football League’s decision to cancel their 2020 season last week.

While many weren’t surprised about the cancellation, Riders Head Coach Craig Dickenson says he was rather shocked.

“I really thought the federal funding was going to come through, so that’s what surprised me,” said Dickenson. “I knew all the hurdles were there, and there are many challenges, but I did think that the federal funding was going to come through and it be more of a decision of the CFL saying ‘can we safely do this’, as opposed to the funding not coming through.”

Dickenson says that if the CFL went through with its proposed plan of a shortened six-game season, his biggest concern was the ability to keep players safe and occupied inside the bubble.

He adds that the biggest challenge for everyone now is how to move on and focus on next season.

“The challenge for us is to not lament about what could’ve been, or what you wished 2020 would’ve looked like,” said Dickenson. “The challenge for us is just, let’s circle the wagons like they say in Buffalo, and let’s make sure 2021 is as good as we can make it.”

When asked on the Sports Cage if he is concerned about the future of the league, Dickenson said he’s cautiously optimistic.

“I am (concerned), but I think we got a strong leg and I think we’re in good hands,” said Dickenson. “I am concerned any time you don’t have a season, honestly, even when you have a season you can be concerned because nobody likes to lose money in the league either. I feel really good about the CFL. I’m concerned. Worried? No.”

Dickenson says his main focus now is to reach out to his players and staff and find out what their plans are for next season.