2013 Grey Cup was Rider Nation’s best day at Taylor Field

Me, left, next to Chris Schultz on TV.

Thanks to looking over Chris Schultz’s shoulder, I had my moment at the 101^st Grey Cup.

Following the Saskatchewan Roughriders 45-23 romp over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to win the Grey Cup at home on the frozen concrete of Taylor Field on November 24, 2013, I found myself heading to the booth on the north side of the legendary facility that was hosting TSN’s game day panel.

I was part of the group that got to look in through the window as the members of the panel gave their final thoughts on the contest. I was looking over the shoulder of Schultz, who was a former offensive tackle and 1991 Grey Cup winner with the Toronto Argonauts.

Later on that night, I noticed my TV appearance was captured on photo by a couple of buds in Mike Kaye and Jeff Urkevich, who posted the images on Facebook. I laughed when I saw them, and they are still a good keepsake memory.

This past Sunday, the CFL wrapped up a Grey Cup Unite promotion that began on Monday, Nov. 16. It marked a week long virtual celebration of the CFL and its iconic title game that dates back to 1909.

Grey Cup Unite ran during the same time this year’s Grey Cup festival was to be held in Regina, and the championship contest was to be played on Sunday at Mosaic Stadium.

With the world locked in the grips of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the 2020 CFL campaign got outright cancelled.

Rider Nation mingled in the streets before the 2013 Grey Cup.

There was talk about playing a shortened CFL season in a hub city format in Winnipeg, Man., but the entire campaign was officially terminated on August 17.

During the Grey Cup Unite week that just wrapped up, my mind drifted back to that seasonably pleasant day and night in Regina on November 24, 2013. That game was played seven years ago today, and it feels like some kind of other lifetime ago.

Still, I wish something could make me go back in time to relive that day again. Even just being seven years younger that I am today, I felt I was able to truly soak in and enjoy that day.

At that time, I was still working at the Medicine Hat News as a beat writer that covered the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers. I had booked a vacation week that started on that Grey Cup Sunday.

With how the stresses were in the workplace at that point in time, I aimed to use my vacation weeks as tools to give myself strategic breaks. Looking at the CFL schedule, I thought the Roughriders could be in that game.

Fans walk to Taylor Field for the 2013 Grey Cup.

Even if they weren’t, I expected to attend a Grey Cup party in Medicine Hat and had plans to enjoy the day that way.

I was actually in Calgary a week earlier on November 17, 2013 at McMahon Stadium, when the Roughriders hammered the host Calgary Stampeders 35-13 in the CFL’s West Final.

When I got home, I did check Ticketmaster’s website to see if there were tickets available for the Grey Cup. Of course, the game was a sellout.

During my career as a sports reporter, I knew usually at big events like the Grey Cup a portion of tickets are set aside for dignitaries and special guests. Tickets that are set aside for those purposes that aren’t used usually go back on sale to the general public.

On the Tuesday just two days after the West Final, I was able to buy one of those tickets that were put back up for sale to the public.

The Saturday before the Grey Cup game, I actually worked a WHL regular season contest, where the host Tigers downed the visiting Regina Pats 5-1 at The Arena in Medicine Hat. The Tigers crew knew I was heading to the Grey Cup game, and they all told me they hoped I had fun.

Fans gather outside Taylor Field before the 2013 Grey Cup.

I believe I only slept five hours that night and began my jaunt to Regina at 7 a.m. on Grey Cup Sunday.

When I arrived in Regina, it was like everywhere I went in town was a joyful, feel-good party. After wandering the streets around Taylor Field enjoying festivities with the rest of Rider Nation, I made my way to the stadium to ensure I got to see the pre-game show.

During pre-game show, the sellout crowd of 44,710 spectators was already in a walking on air mood when the Saskatoon-based band the Sheepdogs was on the field playing. As game time neared, you believed this would be the perfect dream night for Rider Nation.

This belief was backed up when the Roughriders charged the field in their traditional “Bring ‘Em Out” style.

The game’s signature moment came early in the first quarter, when Roughriders franchise quarterback Darian Durant scrambled up field, got hit and fumbled the ball high into the air to be pulled down by star running back Kory Sheets.  Sheets rumbled off a magical 39-yard game for the home side.

Fans line up to get into Taylor Field for the 2013 Grey Cup.

As a Roughriders fan, you had a big gut feeling that this game was going to go your way after seeing that play.

That drive eventually resulted in a diving 15-yard touchdown reception by legendary CFL receiver Geroy Simon that put the Roughriders up 7-3. Saskatchewan scored 24 points in the second quarter to take a 31-6 lead into halftime.  The outburst included another beauty 42-yard touchdown catch by Simon.

After Hedley’s entertaining halftime show, Hamilton scored the first 10 points of the second half to create a little worry for the Roughriders fans cutting Saskatchewan’s lead to 31-16. That was as close as the visitors got.

A four-yard touchdown run by Sheets and a 26-yard touchdown reception by receiver Weston Dressler put the Roughriders up 45-16, and the victory celebration in Saskatchewan started in earnest.

Sheets had two major scores along the ground and piled up a Grey Cup record 197 yards rushing on 20 carries to be named the game’s MVP. He ran with power and authority.

The inside of Taylor Field at the 2013 Grey Cup.

Durant completed 17-of-24 passes for 245 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Slotback Chris Getzlaf was the contest’s most outstanding Canadian player hauling in three passes for 78 yards.

The game was also highlighted by two big sacks from Roughriders defensive lineman John Chick.

On a fan front, I was pumped to see the Roughriders run over Tiger-Cats star quarterback Henry Burris, who once played for the Roughriders in the early 2000s. Crazy part was I would met Burris about four years later after he quarterbacked the Ottawa Redblacks to a Grey Cup win in 2016.

I learned Burris was a gem of a person, and also having a better understanding of the business of sports, I regretted the fan heckles I sent his way over the years at CFL games including the 2013 Grey Cup.

Even with that noted, I still relish and have the greatest memories of the Roughriders Grey Cup win in 2013, which was fourth Grey Cup victory in team history. It felt like the right outcome for the final Grey Cup ever played at Taylor Field.

Taylor Field shortly after the Roughriders win the 2013 Grey Cup.

When the clock ticked to zero, people were hugging their neighbours all around them. The image of Durant hoisting the Grey Cup with a huge smile on his face will also live forever. The green and white confetti raining down on the Roughriders players was also a site to behold.

For the longest time after that game ended, I remember just sitting in the stands and soaking everything in. On the fan front, it was the greatest day.

I also had four buds who were University of Regina Rams football team grads on that Roughriders team in Neal Hughes, Brendon LaBatte, Getzlaf and Jordan Sisco. Thanks to those connections, I actually spent some good social time with a number of players on that Roughriders team over the years including Durant.

They are all great guys, and I was really proud that they got to achieve that moment in their careers.

Actually, the idea of the Roughriders winning the Grey Cup at Taylor Field wasn’t even something that seemed conceivable for the bucket list.

The final scoreboard of the 2013 Grey Cup.

After reveling in the moment, I made my way to the booth where the TSN panel was to get my TV moment.

From there, I disappeared to “the Green Mile” and into the Regina night to enjoy the celebration, which went well into Monday morning.

For like a 24-hour period, it really felt like life was just truly good. Even now, I feel fortunate I got to enjoy that feeling.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

-------                                     

If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.

Labour Day Classic photo fun Roughriders, Bombers style

Darian Durant (#4) fires a pass downfield in the 2016 Labour Day Classic.

    The Labour Day Classic in Saskatchewan equals the ultimate annual great lost weekend.

    Traditionally, the Labour Day long weekend clash between the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the host Saskatchewan Roughriders provides the perfect celebration weekend for Rider Nation and a great CFL rivalry. The celebration for Rider Nation part is helped by the fact the Roughriders have won 14 out of the last 15 Labour Day Classics.

    The lone Bombers victory came in 2016 thanks to a 43-yard walk-off field goal by kicker Justin Medlock. That allowed Winnipeg to take the final Labour Day Classic ever played at Taylor Field 28-25.

    Of course, the Roughriders have a massive advantage as this game is usually a sellout, and the crowd in most years sounds louder than any other home game in that respective season.

    While most of the stadium is full of Roughriders fans, a sizable following usually follows the Bombers from Winnipeg to Regina for this game.

    For a number of years, there was a time fans from out of town started arriving in Regina on Friday night to party. The party ran Friday and all day Saturday leading to game day on Sunday.

    Following the game, the parties usually continued all through the night and people began returning home on Monday.

    I’ve been to 19 Labour Day Classic games with the first coming in 1996. The Roughriders have posted a 17-2 record in those contests.
    Star quarterback Cody Fajardo lead the Roughriders to victory in last year’s game.

Cody Fajardo (#7) slings a pass in the 2019 Labour Day Classic

    I made the last 12 straight Labour Day Classics in a row dating back to 2008. Unfortunately, this year’s CFL season was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which means there is no Labour Day Classic in 2020.

    Starting around 2004, I began taking photos of the happenings on the Labour Day Classic weekend. From 2004 to 2011, those photos were usually taken on a disposable film camera.

    I got my first digital point and shoot camera in 2012. Yes, I was late to the game getting to the digital camera world with my own equipment.

    Unfortunately, I don’t have any photos from the parties that took place post-game at Bart’s on Broad from the late 1990s through to 2006. As a result, there are no pictures of the Blue Bomber Cheer and Dance Team, which was then known as the Blue Lightning Dance Team, doing a performance to “Don’t Cha” by the Pussycat Dolls.

    Of course, that song has the chorus lyric, “Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me.”
    Trust me, that was an epic night at Bart’s.

    Anyways, I hope you enjoy checking out these photos. I could have posted a tonne more, but I though this supplied a good sampling.

A dream scoreboard for Roughriders fans

    This is the final scoreboard from the 2012 Labour Day Classic.

    The Saskatchewan Roughriders down the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 52-0. For many Roughriders fans, their favourite Labour Day Classic game is the 2012 contest.

Drum guy rallies the fans

    Of course, the fans are a key part in making the Labour Day Classic great. In this photo, a drum guy named “Spanky” rallies the Taylor Field crowd in 2013.

Bombers walk-off win in 2016

    Right here might be the most memorable moment for Bombers fans at the Labour Day Classic.

    In 2016 at the final Labour Day Classic game at Taylor Field, kicker Justin Medlock nails a 43-yard walk-off field goal to give the Bombers a 28-25 victory over the Roughriders.

“This Is Our House”

    During the 2010 season, the Bon Jovi song “This Is Our House” blared throughout Taylor Field pregame to pump up Rider Nation for contest that was to come.

    Here fans are waving rally towels the team gave out before that year’s Labour Day Classic game as “This Is Our House” played throughout the stadium.

Lauther’s walk-off 2019 Roughriders win

    In 2019 at Mosaic Stadium, Brett Lauther’s 26-yard walk-off field goal sails true to give the Roughriders a 19-17 victory over the Bombers.

    After this kicked went through the uprights, Lauther and punter Jon Ryan made a mad dash to Pil Country in the south end zone, where Lauther ultimately drank a beer. The celebration capped that year’s Labour Day Classic.

Fans prefer rock over banjos

    This group of Roughriders fans in 2004 had a response to Bombers kicker Troy Westwood’s infamous comments towards those in Rider Nation.

    They brought this sign out before the Labour Day Classic that year and it said, “Rider fans play more than banjos! Rock on Riders!!!”

Sheets meets the public

    It seemed like Roughriders star running back Kory Sheets never missed an opportunity to meet Rider Nation.

    Here Sheets signs autographs for the gathering of fans that wait outside the Roughriders dressing room after the 2013 Labour Day Classic. Sheets would be the MVP of the Roughriders Grey Cup championship win later that year.

Gainer loves meeting the public too

    At the 2008 fan festival that occurs the day before the Labour Day Classic, Roughriders mascot Gainer the Gopher satisfies an autograph request from a young fan.

Durant TD celebration

    Roughriders star quarterback Darian Durant poses for this sweet celebration photo after scoring a touchdown in the 2016 Labour Day Classic.

Rally at “Wayne’s World”

    Bombers fans rally at “Wayne’s World” before the 2008 Labour Day Classic. These pre-game rallies at “Wayne’s World” are an annual tradition for Bombers fans.

Fans takes over south end zone

    Fans take over the south end zone at Taylor Field during the 2004 Labour Day Classic. Before stands were installed in that spot, fans jammed on to a hill that used to be located in that part of the Roughriders old historic park.

Harris on the run

    Bombers star running back Andrew Harris tears downfield on a run during the 2016 Labour Day Classic.

Rider Cheer Team entertains

    The Rider Cheer Team entertains fans with a little stunting at the 2011 fan festival that occurred the day before that year’s Labour Day Classic.

Carter aims to muscle out of a tackle

    Roughriders star receiver Duron Carter tries to muscle his way out of the grasp of a Bombers tackler in the 2017 Labour Day Classic.

Reaves family reunion

    The family and friends of Roughriders defensive lineman and special teams ace Jordan Reaves, fourth from right, pose for a group photo following the 2018 Labour Day Classic.

    In the front on one knee is Jordan’s proud father Willard, who was a star running back for the Bombers in the 1980s. Willard Reaves was voted the CFL’s most outstanding player in the Bombers Grey Cup championship year in 1984.

We can all be friends

    The final picture is of yours truly with a couple of members of the Bombers Cheer and Dance Team before the 2016 Labour Day Classic.

    I just bought the Blue Bomber Cheer and Dance Team calendar off them. Remember folks, it is always better to make love and not war.

    If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

-------                                     

    If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.

Durant doesn’t rule out returning to CFL

Darian Durant speaks at the In the End Zone Dinner.

    It was the question everyone wanted Darian Durant to answer.

    How much fun was it to DJ at Gabbo’s Nightclub after winning the 2011 Labour Day Classic?

    Speaking to a packed banquet room in the clubhouse building at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the legendary former Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback grinned and answered the query at the Saskatoon Hilltops End Zone Dinner on Saturday night.

    “It was nice,” said Durant. “It took it way back with that one.

    “You know 2011 was a rough year, and after getting that win in the Labour Day Classic, I think that was when (head) coach (Ken) Miller came back for his first game after his retirement. I was just happy to get a win.

    “It was just a regular party, and Gabbo’s was the place to be.”

    Durant was the guest speaker at Saturday’s dinner, where the net proceeds go towards scholarships and bursaries for Hilltops players. A question and answer session was part of the program.

    Of course, the 36-year-old from Florence, South Carolina, was asked if he would return to play in the CFL during the Q and A session. Durant announced his retirement on May 11.

    “You just never know,” said Durant. “I remember we were talking at the table when Kerry Joseph came back in 2014, (and) he came back right before the playoffs.”

Darian Durant, left, shares a laugh with Dave Thomas.

    The signal caller, who played 12 seasons in the CFL, said he retired because his wife gave birth to the couple’s first child in daughter, Amayah Taylor. Amayah Taylor was named after the Roughriders former storied home park, Taylor Field.

    “I wanted to be there every step of the way,” said Durant, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 214 pounds. “Now that she is a little bit older, I am kind of itching a little bit.

    “The feeling is coming back, so we’ll what it holds here in a couple of weeks and who may need a quarterback for a playoff run.”

    He was also asked if he thought about coaching.

    “I thought about being the offensive coordinator of the ‘Riders right now,” said Durant, who played for the Roughriders from 2006 to 2016. “Of course, I have my differences with Chris Jones, but I want to see the organization win no question about it.

    “It seems that they need some offensive help (with) the way the defence is playing and special teams is scoring touchdowns. If we can score some offensive touchdowns, we have a Grey Cup team.”

Darian Durant celebrates scoring a touchdown in 2016.

    If Durant was to return to the CFL, that move has to run through the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who still have the signal caller under contract. After playing the 2017 CFL season with the Montreal Alouettes, Durant was released by that club and signed a one-year deal with the Bombers.

    His separation from the Winnipeg side was a messy one as those associated with the Bombers howled at the fact Durant kept a $70,000 signing bonus. The contract with the Bombers expires in February of 2019.

    Besides the serious queries, Durant was asked questions that were more on the humourous side including his thoughts on end zone dances, giving advice on who to start on a fantasy football team and which Roughriders mom made the best cookies.

    Durant said Karen Newman, who is the mother of Durant’s former teammate and Hilltops alum Graig Newman, made the best cookies.

    “I’ll always remember those cookies,” said Durant, who looked towards Karen Newman in giving his response. “Thank you so much.”

    The man who quarterback the Roughriders to a 45-23 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2013 Grey Cup at Taylor Field was asked what he thought about social media.

    “Some guys are just outspoken,” said Durant, who was a reserve quarterback on the Roughriders 2007 Grey Cup championship team. “Some guys don’t know how to express themselves.

Darian Durant (#4) fires a pass down the seam in 2016.

    “I think social media gives you a platform to interact with your fans and interact with people who may never be able to speak to you. It can also be a downfall, because when things aren’t going your way, sometimes you get out of character and say things you don’t mean.

    “I’ve been guilty of that. I’ve been fined numerous times by the league for social media rants. It can be good and bad.”

    When he was asked to do an impersonation of current Roughriders head coach and general manager Chris Jones, Durant played that offer down.

    “I think someone is trying to get me in trouble here,” said Durant with a chuckle. “They probably have their phone recording what I am saying right now.”

    Jones held his current role during Durant’s final season with the Roughriders in 2016. Durant offered up his thoughts on Jones, who has the Roughriders sitting second in the West Division at 8-5.

    “I think he is an excellent coach,” said Durant. “The business side of things we just didn’t see eye-to-eye.

    “You just have to respect that. He is in a position of power, and you have to respect your boss and that is just how that went.”

Darian Durant (#4) throws a pass into the flat in 2016.

    With the Roughriders, Durant sits second in team history for career pass attempts (3,584), completions (2,226), yards (28,507) and touchdown passes (152).

    During his 12 seasons in the CFL, he completed 2,500 out of 4001 passes for 31,740 yards, 167 touchdown passes and 115 interceptions.

    Durant closed the question and answer session saying he was pumped to have had the opportunity to be the guest speaker that night for the dinner to help Saskatoon’s storied Canadian Junior Football League club.

    “I always enjoy coming to Saskatoon,” said Durant. “The tradition here is just amazing.

    “I’ve just been hearing about the success that this Hilltops squad has been having over the years. The commitment to excellence starts here. You guys pave the way for these kids.

    “You guys make it possible. I just want to thank you guys for having me. Keep pushing these kids to not only be the best on the field, but off the field as well.”

    If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

-------

    If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.

Hilltops’ Peters expands horizons at ’Riders camp

Cody Peters was the most outstanding linebacker in the PFC last season.

    Cody Peters will go outside of his comfort zone to prove he can play, even if it means he will take his lumps.

    The 22-year-old star linebacker for the Saskatoon Hilltops attended training camp with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders back in late May and early June. He earned the chance to be on the Roughriders practice roster, and he held that spot for about two weeks into the regular season before he fractured his ankle. He healed up in time to be ready for the Hilltops season.

    At Roughriders training camp, Peters saw action at every linebacker spot, and he played in the secondary at defensive halfback, cornerback and safety. The experience in the secondary proved to be eye opening, when Peters had to line up against the Roughriders veteran receivers.

    “It was a little overwhelming at first, because I have never played DB before in my life until that point,” said Peters, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 215 pounds. “I think the biggest issue for me was just trying to get the playbook down and learning all the plays for each position.

    “It was scary at times, because those guys are just so fast compared to this. That was also my first time playing DB, so it was a lot to take at once.”

    Overall, Peters enjoyed his time at Roughriders camp, which he attended alongside Hilltops star third-year defensive back Colton Holmes. Peters was opening to trying new things hoping that the Roughriders coaches would notice his willing to learn and see that approached everything with a good attitude.

Cody Peters in action at Roughriders training camp in May.

    “It was unreal for me to go up there and experience that and play with all those professional athletes and just get that opportunity to be out there,” said Peters, who has helped the Hilltops win the last four straight CJFL championships. “Those guys are just phenomenal athletes with just the stuff they can do out there.

    “I learned a few like new techniques and different ways to play and prep for the game.”

    With the experience he gained with the Roughriders, Peters’ confidence grew and he said he started to really believe that he could play in that circuit one day.

    “I would like to think so,” said Peters. “That is sort of the dream of what I am striving for.

    “You never know what could happen.”

    Now in his fifth and final season with the Hilltops, Peters is an established star in the Canadian Junior Football League. Last season, he recorded 30 tackles, 12 assisted tackles and one pass knockdown in eight regular season games. Thanks to those efforts, Peters was named the most outstanding linebacker in the Prairie Football Conference and a PFC all-star.

    Going into the current campaign, he cracked the CJFL’s top 50 to players to watch list at the seventh spot.

    “Cody number one he is a terrific kid,” said Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. “He has just every year got better and better. He works so hard.

    “(He has) a respectful demeanor, work ethic and he is a great teammate. Ultimately at the end of the day, forty-four gets in between the lines he makes a lot of plays. He was out best playmaker on defence on Saturday night.

Cody Peters (#44) charges out of the tunnel with the Hilltops.

    “He forced two fumbles. He is always around the ball. He is so with it, understands what is in front of him, and he can really accelerate and make plays. He is fun to watch and a great kid.”

    Peters had a standout game for the Hilltops last Saturday, when they downed the Thunder in Regina 41-7 in the CJFL regular season opener for both teams. The graduate of Saskatoon’s Bethlehem High School had five tackles and two assisted tackles to go along with his two forced fumbles.

    Sargeant said the fact Peters spent as much time as he did with the Roughriders brings more confidence and experience back to the Hilltops. Overall, the Hilltops legendary sideline boss was pleased how things went for both Peters and Holmes at Roughriders training camp.

    “Number one, we really respect the Saskatchewan Roughriders for allowing us the opportunity to send a few players,” said Sargeant. “This year, we sent two defensive players in Cody Peters and Colton Holmes. They represented.

    “They went out there and showed what Hilltop football is all about. I know they performed well. They both got injured during the process, which is unfortunate. 

    “It is my job to give opportunity. It is their job to kick a door down. I feel real good about what transpired, and hopefully, there will be more opportunity in the future for them at the pro level.”

Cody Peters (#44) aims to enjoy every moment of his final CJFL campaign.

    The Hilltops return to action this coming Saturday, when they host the Calgary Colts (0-1) at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. While the Hilltops had a good season opening win against the Thunder, Peters said his team can still improve.

    “There was a little rust to shake off in that first game,” said Peters. “We have some things we need to correct to come out playing a lot better in the next game.”

    As the campaign progresses, Peters is focused on savouring every experience from his final CJFL season.

    “Right now, I’m trying not to think too much about it,” said Peters. “I’m just trying to enjoy living in the moment right now.”
    NOTE - On Tuesday, Hilltops running back Ben Abrook was named the CJFL’s offensive player of the week for his efforts in the club’s win last Saturday against the Thunder. Abrook carried the ball 27 times for 171 yards, and he scored three touchdowns. 

“Doubles” is coming to Saskatoon

Darian Durant (#4) will speak at the Hilltops End Zone Dinner.

    Recently retired legendary Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant is on his way to “The Bridge City.”

    The 36-year-old former signal caller is slated to be the guest speaker at the Saskatoon Hilltops End Zone Dinner, which is set for Sept. 22, at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The gates for the event open at 4:15 p.m. with dinner scheduled for 5:15 p.m.

    The event will include a pre-game address from Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant. Following dinner, the Hilltops will face the Regina Thunder at 7 p.m. at SMF Field.

    Durant played for the Roughriders from 2006 to 2016 and guided them to a 45-23 Grey Cup victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Nov. 24, 2013 in the final CFL championship game ever played at Taylor Field in Regina. He was a reserve quarterback in the Roughriders Grey Cup win in 2007.
    With the Roughriders, Durant sits second in team history for career pass attempts (3,584), completions (2,226), yards (28,507) and touchdown passes (152).

    During his 12 seasons in the CFL, Durant completed 2,500 out of 4001 passes for 31,740 yards, 167 touchdown passes and 115 interceptions.

Darian Durant scores an overtime TD for the Roughriders in 2016.

    He played last season with the Montreal Alouettes and elected to retire from playing football this past May.

    The Hilltops End Zone Dinner tickets include a game ticket for that night’s clash with the Thunder. The End Zone Dinner tickets can be purchased by clicking right here.

    If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

-------

    If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.

Durant will always be a Roughriders hero

Star QB free to choose retirement terms and he did just that

Darian Durant (#4) retired from playing football on Friday.

    Darian Durant will always be a Saskatchewan Roughriders hero, and “green was his colour” when he announced his retirement from football on Friday.

    The 35-year-old was signed to be the backup quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the upcoming campaign, when he elected to hang up his cleats.
    During his first 11 of 12 seasons in the league, he starred with the Saskatchewan Roughriders being part of their 2007 Grey Cup winning team as a backup and quarterbacking “the green and white” to a title at Taylor Field in 2013.

    Sandwiched in between those games were two heartbreaking Grey Cup losses he started in 2009 and 2010.

    The Florence, South Carolina, product announced his retirement on his website, and he wrote in one part of his message, “If you cut me open, I am sure that I would bleed green. Saskatchewan and Regina will always be home.”

    The veteran signal caller was traded by the Roughriders to the Montreal Alouettes in January of 2017 and signed a three-year contract with that team. Last season in what is now his final campaign in the CFL, Durant, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 214 pounds, played in 15 games for the Alouettes completing 274-of-417 passes for 3,233 yards, 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

    Montreal finished last in the entire CFL with a 3-15 record and missed the playoffs for the third straight campaign.

Darian Durant fires a pass downfield for the Roughriders.

    On Jan. 15, the Alouettes released Durant just one day before he was to have received a $150,000 signing bonus from the team.

    On Jan. 20, Durant signed a one-year contract to join the Bombers.

    He likely got cold feet when it came to moving to Winnipeg. Durant said he had opportunities away from the field that would allow him to transition to life after playing the game and that he didn’t want to be away from his daughter, who was born earlier this year.

    During his 12 seasons, Durant completed 2,500 out of 4001 passes for 31,740 yards, 167 touchdown passes and 115 interceptions.

    In the process of how his departure went down, Durant managed to add gasoline to the fire in the rivalry between the Roughriders and Bombers.

    Shortly after Durant’s retirement announcement, Bombers general manager Kyle Walters released a statement where he said, “Ultimately, Darian has not informed the team of his decision, but we were notified through social media this morning that he has decided to retire from professional football. While we respect his decision, we are of course extremely disappointed.”

Darian Durant shares a chuckle with a young fan.

    It then came to the surface that the Bombers had paid Durant a $70,000 signing bonus that he plans to keep.

    Durant spoke with Roughriders play-by-play voice Rod Pedersen and Luc Mullinder on 620 CKRM’s SportsCage on Friday and said his agent has been in contact with Walters the past three to four weeks about a possible retirement. As for the bonus, Durant said he felt like it was a situation where he felt he deserved it and was going to leave it at that.

    With all those developments, the Roughriders fans and the media in Saskatchewan were praising and congratulation Durant on a great career. A large group of vocal fans in Winnipeg painted Durant as a villain for abandoning the Bombers, and that tone was reflected in some of the reports coming from the media in that centre.

    Considering the fact CFL player contracts are not guaranteed and teams often cut players before they are due bonuses to help navigate the salary cap, I am fine with Durant keeping his bonus from the Bombers. That is part of the business of the CFL.

Darian Durant fires a pass into the flat.

    Playing for the Roughriders from 2006 to 2016, Durant cemented himself as one of the team’s legends, and he will go down at the moment as the second best quarterback in team history after Ron Lancaster.

    Way back on July 12, 2008, Durant made his first start with the Roughriders and threw them to a thrilling 33-28 road victory over the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton. From 2009 to 2014, he was part of a core group of players that powered Saskatchewan to success year after year including Weston Dressler, John Chick, Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg, Mike McCullough and Neal Hughes.

    Other key figures that passed through the Roughriders during Durant’s era included Gene Makowsky, Ben Heenan, Ty Brackenridge, Andy Fantuz, Tristan Jackson, Eddie Davis, Lance Frazier and Ricky Foley.

    With the Roughriders, Durant sits second in team history for career pass attempts (3,584), completions (2,226), yards (28,507) and touchdown passes (152).

Darian Durant scores a rushing touchdown in overtime in 2016.

    Durant’s legacy is more than just numbers. Being the starting quarterback of the Roughriders might be the hardest job in the CFL due to intense fan scrutiny, and Durant exceled at it. He became a fan favourite despite still having a few vocal detractors.

    In his retirement announcement, Durant said he named his daughter Amayah Taylor after Taylor Field. He said he wants to launch a foundation to raise funds to give back to the community.

    During his time with the Roughriders, Durant became one of Saskatchewan’s own, and it is pretty obvious he will hold those ties close to his heart.

Cut Cougars teams keep up respectable fight

U of Regina Cougars wrestling gear.

    The members of the cut University of Regina Cougars men’s and women’s wrestling teams and men’s volleyball team keep looking more and more respectable and classy in their fight to bring their programs back.

    The three teams were axed by the U of R without warning on April 30. On Saturday, the wrestlers held an open community practice at the First Nations University Regina Campus. By the looks of the video on the “Save U of R Wrestling team” Facebook page, the organizers had a decent turnout.

    In one of the posts leading up to Saturday’s practice, a note was posted that Harold Riemer, the U of R dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, was going to made a short appearance at the beginning of the practice and asked that he be shown respect.

    On Friday, Global News in Regina produced a story off a confidential recording of a meeting between Riemer and members of the U of R women’s wrestling team.

    That story reported that in 2016-17 campaign the administration in the athletic department was told they needed to raise $580,000 in fundraising and fell about $220,000 short. During that fiscal year, Riemer said in the Global story the U of R athletics department had expenses totally $3.1-million and with $2.7-million coming in to support the department, there was a deficit of $400,000.

    Out of the $2.7-million brought in to support athletics, $2.3-million comes from the recreation and athletics fee that is charged to students and is split between the universities teams and other recreation programs. The athletic teams only collected $445,000 in gate revenue, sponsorships and Sask. Sport Inc.

    Riemer said the U of R didn’t want to rely on fundraising to operate the teams. Likely that comes from the feeling that universities like to have oversight on anything the institution’s name is attached to.

    With that said, I hope the hierarchy at the U of R would be open to the prospects of fundraising. If it is possible to raise the money to help operate the cut programs, that should be looked at. If in theory an alum wanted to donate a big sum of money to get a cut team back in action, I believe that should be looked at.

    I am also aware that U Sports programs across Canada face difficult fiscal challenges. It is pretty obvious there are fiscal fears at the U of R.

    Even with a high profile sport in the media like football, U Sports doesn’t carry the lustre it once did. Wrestling traditionally always had a more quiet profile in the media.

    Unless a controversy exists, the less than a skeleton crew mainstream media in Canada often ignores U Sports.

    If you see the rising price of gas, it is likely the country will be in a recession again soon due to everything else going up in price, which will make it that much harder to get sponsorships or fundraise for teams.

    Still, I believe on the wrestling side you would be able to gather enough alums who would rally to keep those two squads going.

    The Cougars men’s team has won 10 Canada West Conference championships, with the first coming in 1989 and the last in 2012, and two U Sports national titles in 1997 and 1998. They finished second in the team standings at nationals four times and placed third four times.

    Women’s wrestling became an official sport in U Sports in 1998-99, and the Cougars women’s team has finished second twice in the team standing at U Sports nationals.

    Both the men’s and women’s teams have had numerous individual conference and national champions.

    You won’t be able to bury the history of wrestling at the U of R. Looking at the U of R’s Sports Hall of Fame, the 1997-98 national champion Cougars men’s wrestling team still needs to be enshrined.

    On an individual basis, legendary head coach Leo McGee, four-time individual U Sports national champion Ali Bernard and Lease Bertram, who was the male athlete of the year for U of R in 1997-98 and a former member of Canada’s national team system, all should enter the U of R Sports Hall of Fame too.

    There are a large number of other individuals who should likely be enshrined too.

    If the wrestling teams aren’t brought back, talk of bringing back those squads will come up when any wrestling Hall of Fame enshrinements happens.

    The athletes have put on a passionate and respectful fight to bring back their programs and demonstrated great leadership in doing so. Here is hoping they keep pushing forward and the community in Regina enables them to reach their full potential in athletics and academics.

    If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

-------

    If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.

Familiarity adds to fun of cheering on Roughriders

Fans need to adjust to flood of new faces at training camp

Roughriders receiver Mitchell Picton catches a pass off the jugs machine.

    Looking out at the Saskatchewan Roughriders practising at Griffiths Stadium, you end up asking yourself, “Who are these guys?”

    For myself personally, I know offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte, and it drops off to no one else after that. I do admit I have had one long talk with long snapper Jorgen Hus, who is a graduate of the Saskatoon Hilltops of the Canadian Junior Football League and the University of Regina Rams from the U Sports ranks.

    I have said “hello” to Rob Bagg on a couple of occasions thanks to the fact he has been with the team since 2008. I remember former franchise quarterback Darian Durant telling me that if I wanted to see someone that was really good at interacting with the fans I should just watch Bagg.
    The veteran signal caller, who is now a member of the Montreal Alouettes, hit that bang on as usual.

OL Brendon Labatte (#57), see here in 2015, is a well-known Riders player.

    Entering the fourth season since the Roughriders won the Grey Cup in 2013, only three players are held over from that squad including LaBatte, Bagg and offensive lineman Dan Clark. With Chris Jones taking over before the start of the 2016 campaign as general manager and head coach, it has been well documented on how players have gone in and out through seemingly a revolving door.

    Traditionally, one of the best perks that comes from cheering on the Roughriders is the fans get to know the players on some sort of personal level for a time. That comes from the fact Regina is in between being a midsize city and a large city with a current population of just over 236,000.

    The population of the province of Saskatchewan has usually hovered around 1-million and sits at just over 1.15-million in the current day.

Roughriders QB Bryan Bennett, right, calls a play during a drill.

    By those figures alone, you can tell it is hard to go anywhere in the province without meeting people, and it is hard to stay anonymous, if you play for the Roughriders. When I was a first-year university student in “the Queen City” at the University of Regina, I often met Roughriders players working part-time in retail.

    The level for knowing players in the CFL changed a lot for myself after being involved with the Regina Rams especially for four seasons spanning from 1997 to 2001. As players from those Rams teams spread out through the CFL, I began to cheer a lot for the individuals I knew. Eventually, a number of Rams grads ended up on the Roughriders rosters for about four to five years.

    That development made cheering for the Roughriders that much more personal. Looking back, I often told a few people the one season I would have loved to have worked in the Roughriders communications department was in 2009. 

Former NFL QB Vince Young (#8) avoids the rush during a drill.

    It would have been a joy even knowing how that season would end with a heartbreaking Grey Cup loss in Calgary to the Montreal Alouettes thanks to that infamous too many men penalty call on the game’s second last play.

    There were six Rams graduates on that Roughriders team in Jason Clermont, Neal Hughes, Chris Getzlaf, Tamon George, Nick Hutchins and Joel Lipinski. Through them, I ended up meeting and getting to know a number of other players on the club’s roster that year. A number of great memories were made.

    That Roughriders team also overcame any adversity they faced that season to finish first in the West Division. It was a great season outside of how the final two plays went in that year’s Grey Cup game, which resulted in the deciding points in a 28-27 loss.

The now retired Nate Coehoorn was a fun CFL player to pull for.

    As the years went on, I began to pull for individuals I met on other CFL teams that didn’t have any links to the Rams. The most notable include recently retired Edmonton Eskimos receiver Nathan Coehoorn, Calgary Stampeders offensive lineman Dan Federkeil and Hamilton Tiger-Cats long snapper Aaron Crawford.

    I met those three during the 10 years I worked for the Medicine Hat News in Medicine Hat, Alta.
    One of the best parts of the CFL is most of the individuals in the league are down to earth, because they won’t be able to retire off the money they make in that circuit. They all have to move on to other careers after their football playing days wrap up.

    For me, I liked remaining around the CFL on a fan level, because I enjoyed getting to immediately visit my friends after games.

    In recent years, a lot of the players in the CFL that I know have retired. It has changed my interest in that circuit.
    That is just one of the realities that happens in sports over time.

The Roughriders huddle up after a training camp session.

    As far as the Roughriders go, I believe there is potential in the current group to bond with the fans.

    When I have walked around the U of Saskatchewan campus during training camp to go workout, work on a project or visit, all the players I run into always seem to say hello in a well-mannered way.
    It is really noticeable.

    I take that intangible as a good sign. While it might be hard to identify the Roughriders players at the moment, they might just become household names like a lot of the team’s former greats of the past. 

    That type of link is what makes cheering for the Roughriders and the CFL great.

Estephan would be a good addition for an NHL team

Giorgio Estephan brings the puck up ice for the Hurricanes.

    The NHL dream has hit a bump in the road for Lethbridge Hurricanes star centre Giorgio Estephan.

    The Edmonton, Alta., product, who has been a career member of the Hurricanes, was selected in the sixth round and 152^nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. The Sabres elected not to sign Estephan by Thursday’s deadline to ink drafted players from 2015.

    Thanks to that development, Estephan, who is still eligible to play an overage season in the WHL, will be allowed to enter the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, which will be held June 23 and 24 in Chicago, Illinois.

    In one of those head-scratching developments that can happen in the professional ranks, the Sabres likely came to the conclusion Estephan, who stands 6-feet and weighs 191 pounds, wouldn’t fit into their future plans.

    Since being drafted by the Sabres in 2015, Estephan has done enough to earn an NHL contract. He has continued to progress and has grown into one of the WHL’s elite centres.

Giorgio Estephan speeds into the offensive zone for the Hurricanes.

    This past season, he recorded 35 goals, 54 assists and a plus-three rating in the plus-minus department in 68 regular season games. His goal and assist totals were career highs.

    Estephan took his game to another level in the 2017 WHL playoffs piling up 11 goals, 13 assists and a plus-five rating in 18 games. He played a key role in helping the Hurricanes advance to the Eastern Conference championship series for the first time since 2008.
    The Hurricanes fell 4-2 in this year’s best-of-seven Eastern Conference championship series to the Regina Pats.

    Estephan and heart and soul overage linemate Tyler Wong proved they could be ironmen playing seemly every second shift in their seven-game second round series win over the Medicine Hat Tigers, when injuries nearly crippled the Hurricanes post-season run.

Giorgio Estephan cuts to the net for the Hurricanes.

    Anyone that saw Estephan and Wong, who was the Hurricanes captain, play over that stretch would think an NHL team would want to sign them.

    On the intangible side, you had to love how Estephan reacted to playing on the road in the playoffs in Medicine Hat. He laughed off some creative heckles from Tigers supporters and made sure to give high fives to Hurricanes fans in attendance, when he left the ice. He took all those aspects of the game in stride.

    If Estephan doesn’t get drafted or signed, he would really give the Hurricanes a boost going into next season as an overager. In that scenario, you can expect him to play well enough to be deserving of another NHL shot.

Pats create season ticket waitlist

Pats season tickets are in high demand from their faithful.

    The Regina Pats are still feeling a surge in popularity thanks to their incredible 2016-17 campaign.

    On Thursday, the Pats opened up season ticket sales to everyone for the 2017-18 campaign, when they will play host to the 100^th Memorial Cup. The surge in demand was so high that the club decided to create an online waiting list to add some order when it comes meeting the demand.

    On Friday at 9 a.m. Regina time, fans can sign up on the waitlist through the team’s website www.reginapats.com. The Pats will contact those on the list on a first come, first serve basis. The team said everyone on the waitlist will be contacted prior to July 31.

    In 2016-17, the Pats set a franchise record for regular season victories finishing first overall in the WHL with a 52-12-7-1 mark.

The Pats and their fans celebrate an Austin Wagner (#27) goal.

    They were rated first in the final Canadian Hockey League top 10 rankings that were released on March 22. The Pats held top spot in the CHL’s top 10 rankings for much of the campaign.

    In the playoffs, the Pats advanced to the WHL Championship series for the first time since 1984 and they fell 4-2 in that best-of-seven series to the Seattle Thunderbirds.
    Between the regular season and playoffs, the Pats sold out a record 26 home dates at the Brandt Centre.

    Next season, the Pats should return enough parts to create the potential for another dream campaign.

    If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.