What If...

Racer Jr. (not to be confused with RacerKris) had a baseball game tonight, and by the time I got home and after a busy day at work, I did not have a Racer Report in me. However, I came across this Email I sent to my co-workers the Friday before the Western Division Final in 2003, and I thought I would share it with you.

Subject: What the Riders mean to me....

When I was young, I would always watch Rider games with my dad. It was just one of the ways he and I would spend time together. There were lots of great games between 65 and 76, but the big one came for me with the 76 Riders in the Grey Cup. I remember it like yesterday; sitting on the floor of our house watching the game and loving every minute of it. And, what a game it was right until the end, but we won't speak of the end. Regardless of the outcome, it is still one of my fondest memories...

Then came 1989, and the boys were back in the big game. Dad and I still watched as many games together as we could, but this time he and mom were on holidays on a cruise ship off Florida. Needless to say, the outcome was better this time, and what a game! The second after Dave kicked the winning field goal, all I could think of was how to get a hold of my dad. I started by calling the cruise line to see if there was a way to talk to someone on the ship, but I couldn't get through. They did take a message though, and dad called me the next morning - it was great.

My dad passed away a few years later and I still missed him everyday - a little more on game day. But then I had a son and he and I started watching the Riders and the tradition continued. The next few years were not the best for the Riders, but then came 1997. By now had two sons and in 97 all three of us watched the Grey Cup together. Kris was 6 and Ryley was 5 months old. Needless to say, again, the outcome was not that great, but Kris was now old enough to have this as a memory ... Ryley maybe not :-)

Now its 03 and the Riders have a shot at making the big game again, and this time, in their own back yard. Kris is 12 and Ryley is 6 and we are going to the Grey Cup. Its going to be a moment we will always have to remember.

Its not just me, it's people from all over Canada and the world that love this team. People move away, but if they once were a Rider fan, they will always be a Rider fan. This weekend, I’m sure there will be a huge sea of Green and White from current and former Saskatchewan residents at the game.

I guess what I’m saying is that, yes, it is just football and, yes, it is just a game; but, sometimes its a bit more. People talk about the Bandwagon, and when they do I tell them "Heck, I have been pulling that thing since 1965" :-)

Win or lose, come Monday, I will still have the fond memories of watching football with my dad and I will still miss him. Kris, Ryley, and I will have more games to watch and enjoy together But, just imagine what this province, and all the people from this province that now live elsewhere, will be like after the Riders pull it off on Sunday.

With that said, say the prayer twice this weekend and have fun watching OUR Riders...

(Every Friday I would send out an email at work and I would ask everyone to say the prayer below)

Green is the colour,
Football is the game,
We're all together,
And winning is our aim.
So cheer us on
Through the sun and rain.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Is our name!

Let's show our pride in the Green and White.
We will fight, Green and White.
Sing loud and clear 'til the game is won.
The best is yet to come.

(Chorus)

Here at Taylor Field we are Number 1.
We're the best, East or West.
We'll give our all 'til the game is done.
Stand up and sing, everyone.

(Chorus)

Today’s Lyrics

“Somewhere she is on the streets trying to make things better
Praying to God and breathing deep gotta break this long obsession”

Go Riders!