In the great Canadian conversation about sports and culture, hockey always elbows its way to the microphone. But if we want fresh insights about how this nation is wired…Player's Own Voice podcast thinks that the CFL has lots to teach us about ourselves.

No better time to think about it than around Grey Cup week.

And no one better to help us mull it over than one of the greatest players in the history of professional ball, Damon Allen. The American born prodigy left San Diego of all comfy home towns, for Edmonton…in March 1985 no less, and stayed with the CFL for 23 record shattering years.

Host Anastasia Bucsis and the legendary quarterback kick around some ideas: Canada has cooked up a beautiful game with its CFL rules. Canadian football has deep history, hometown teams and athletes who locals can actually get to know and care about. Heck, if you are willing to pay the person who comes along to make sure you don't damage the thing, you can bring the actual Grey Cup to your next house party. But our game has long suffered in financial and media comparison to the NFL. Why should a Toronto football fan look to Buffalo?

There's a million ways to try to understand the Canadian-American mindset. Or you could just settle in for one smart CFL – NFL conversation with the remarkable Mr. Allen.