JUST A GAL FROM GLIDDEN: Riders finally deliver sweet revenge—and my heart survives
By Kate Winquist
Did you hear the Saskatchewan Roughriders finally won their fifth Grey Cup? If not, congratulations on living under a rock—or maybe just successfully avoiding every news outlet since last Sunday.
My husband and I are die-hard Rider fans (I may have mentioned that once or twice this year), though unlike some, we no longer chase Grey Cup tickets like caffeine-fueled toddlers after an ice cream truck. That wasn’t always the case.
Robert and I getting ready for the 2009 Grey Cup game in Calgary.
Back in 2009, when Saskatchewan stunned the defending champion Calgary Stampeders in the Western Final and advanced to the Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium, I was desperate for tickets. Babysitter secured, three kids out of the house, truck stereo blasting Nickelback (Burn It To The Ground, specifically!), snacks and adult beverages stocked, conversations with strangers who were equally obsessed with green and white—we were living our best lives.
Montreal, led by the legendary Anthony Calvillo, was heavily favoured, but with Darian Durant at quarterback, the boys in green came out swinging. The Riders held a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter. Then came the comeback. Then came the infamous 13th man play. Cue my heart shattering, tears streaming, and a few Montreal fans awkwardly patting me on the back while mumbling, “It’s just a game.” Just a game? My good lord, I nearly needed therapy on the bus ride home. One Grey Cup experience, and I was officially traumatized.
Fast forward to this year. The Riders were favourites against Montreal again—not by a landslide, but enough to feel hopeful. Veteran quarterback Trevor Harris, 39, chasing his first Grey Cup as a starter, faced off against undefeated Davis Alexander, who was carrying a hamstring injury. Harris threw with surgical precision, setting a Grey Cup record with over 85% completions and zero interceptions, and the Riders seemed comfortably ahead 25-7.
Then came the mini-heart attack: 10 unanswered points by Montreal, followed by a missed field goal by Brett Lauther. PTSD flashed before my eyes. But then Marcus Sayles recovered a fumble on their own goal line with three minutes to spare, and suddenly—it was sweet, sweet karma. Green and white confetti rained down in Winnipeg, and my heart slowly unclenched.
Staying home made this journey much easier on my ticker and my wallet. But… the Grey Cup is headed to Calgary in 2026… the 113th Grey Cup! If the Riders make it there again, maybe it’s time to face those PTSD demons. Or maybe I’ll just wait for pre-season and cheer from the couch. Either way: Let’s gooooooooo!