Showcases

HOMETOWN: Grew up on a farm northeast of Prince Albert; now resides in Regina.

PREFERRED SECTION AT MOSAIC STADIUM: 140.

EARLIEST ROUGHRIDERS MEMORY: “My brother and I watched the 1972 West final between Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, where the ball was punted in and out of the end zone after Jack Abendschan missed a potential last-play field goal to win the game. Winnipeg eventually got penalized for no yards and Jack didn’t miss the second try, sending the Riders to the Grey Cup. Only in the CFL!”

FAVOURITE PLAYER (ALL-TIME): “Roger Aldag. I admired his strength, tenacity and longevity on the field. I then had the chance to work with him later in my career, and there isn’t a better, kinder and more humble person walking the Earth. I also had the chance to meet and work with Don Narcisse through the SaskEnergy Catch for Kids program. Don was a tireless ambassador for young people and the province, and his contributions went well beyond the football field.”

FAVOURITE PLAYER (CURRENT): “Samuel Emilus. He is a prodigious athletic talent. In my opinion, we’re very lucky to have a player this magnificently skilled, who can take your breath away on any given play.”

FAVOURITE ROUGHRIDERS MEMORIES: “The three Grey Cup victories I got to see — in 1989, 2007 and 2013 — are obvious choices, but the memory most cemented in my mind comes from October 1988, when the Riders ended an 11-year playoff drought by beating the B.C. Lions 28-25 at Taylor Field. The team had been trailing the Lions late in the game when Tom Burgess hit Ray McDonald with a 21-yard touchdown pass and the old stadium actually creaked on its foundations from the noise that erupted. People were hugging one another and dancing outside the stadium. The feeling of getting that 11-year playoff drought off our backs was incredible.”

WHAT I ENJOY MOST ABOUT GOING TO GAMES: “After 35-plus years of holding season tickets, I still relish the walk to the stadium from where I park, seeing all the anticipation and the people decked out in green. At the stadium, I sit with two long-time ticket holders and fans, Alex Horvath and Jerry Schellenberg. We suffer the highs and lows together. In the last few years, my son Jonathan, who is also an elite athlete in his own right, has joined us. High-fiving after a big play or TD is something I never get tired of, as is the roar of the crowd. It’s the best part of the week.”

NUMBER ON THE BACK OF MY ROUGHRIDERS JERSEY: “9 — for our former punter, Jon Ryan. Jon had an accomplished NFL career, but still found his way back here at the end of his playing days. After making millions in the NFL, that’s truly playing for the love of the game. I wanted so badly for Jon to win a Cup, so he could become one of those few players who had both a Super Bowl and Grey Cup ring. It didn’t happen, but he’s a guy who has never forgotten us and continues to give back to our community in so many ways.”