I have been to Taylor Field dozens of times in my lifetime, but walking into Mosaic on Sunday I was awestruck by the colours, the intensity and atmosphere as 45,000 Rider fans made the pilgrimage home for an event which has been a lifetime in the making.
To be honest I had goosebumps as I soaked in the Canadiana of the Sheepdogs, the Snowbirds, and the national anthem prior to kick-off the 101st Grey Cup in Regina.
I made the long seven hour drive on Saturday to experience what could be one of the greatest sporting events of my life. Not only a Grey Cup game in Regina, but a game in which my beloved Riders were not only included, but favoured.
The trek was worth every moment.
You could tell five minutes into the game when a Darian Durant fumble dropped into the hands of runningback Kory Sheets the football gods were on our side this time.
For the next three hours the fans on my section high-fived after great plays, yelled “Heeeenreeee!” until our throats were raw and hugged as the final seconds counted down on what can only be described as the most significant victory in Saskatchewan history.
I must say how impressed I was with the Rider fans who flocked like a tidal wave of green into downtown Regina afterwards. They celebrated with class as their were no riots, no vandalism.
Everyone was simply happy.
It was an incredible experience and one I will not soon forget, if ever.
I will make one bold prediction for next year, however.
There will be a substantial increase in birthrates next August and the most popular names in Saskatchewan will be Darian, Kory and Simon.
