Murray Wood: Riders are proof the family that plays together also wins together
Murray Wood says the Saskatchewan Roughriders are a family team in ways that most teams can't match, with multiple gener...
The streets of downtown Regina became a sea of green and white on Tuesday afternoon for the official Grey Cup championship parade.
Fans lined up on the “Green Mile” on Albert Street, from 13th Avenue to 20th Avenue at the Legislative Building, eager to see a glimpse of the Grey Cup and the winning team.
Head Coach Corey Mace and Riders hoist the cup in front of the Legislative Building and Rider Nation. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)
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The Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 on Sunday night in the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg, Man.
Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris raises the Grey Cup at the team’s victory parade. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)
It’s just the fifth time the Riders have ever claimed the CFL Championship Trophy. The Riders had previously won in 1966, 1989, 2007 and 2013.
The wait was worth it for Rider fans.
Gainer the Gopher and the Rider Cheer Team led the brigade, with players following behind in vehicles driven by the Royal Canadian Armed Forces.
Rider fan Blaine Dodds has been a part of every Rider Grey Cup win.
“I’m here because I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” he said.
For the 1966 win, Dodds was only seven years old and got emotional thinking about all the memories and stories.
“We all bleed green,” he said.
Blaine Dodds played a 38-pound tuba in the Rider pep band from 1993 to 2009. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)
Husband and wife Trevor and Trina Martel said the victory feels sweet.
“It’s been 12 years and they were due (for a win). It’s great,” Trina said.
“It’s amazing that we were able to witness this again,” Trevor said, referencing the 2013 Grey Cup when the Riders won at home.
Not all fans wore Green and White, though; one particular fan showed up in red, dressed for the occasion.
Even Santa Claus and his crew came down to the Legislative Building to welcome to Riders and the Grey Cup. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)
“We’re so happy to be here because we’re huge rider fans,” Santa Claus said.
“Santa even shut down the entire toy operation (to watch the parade).”
He said the Riders had the Grey Cup on their wish list. Well, it looks like Christmas came early for the Green and White.
It was a sea of green and white at the Legislative Building on Tuesday. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)
The parade ended with speeches from Head Coach Corey Mace and Grey Cup MVP, Trevor Harris.
Fans chanted “one more year” to the QB who hasn’t resigned with the club.
“This is our fifth title, but something we’ve never done is go back-to-back. So let’s go ahead and start talking about that,” Harris said to fans as they erupted in cheers.
— with files from 980 CJME’s Gillian Massie, Lisa Shick and Britton Gray
