First World Football Problems

Part-time fan.

Band wagon-er.

Terms used to describe a persons love or lack-there-of for a certain sports team. I used to say these things myself, but I've taken strides to refrain from doing so any longer. I want to be a Rider fan who not only supports her team but helps elevate the entire CFL. But what does being a fan look like?

In Saskatchewan, and particularly being a Roughriders fan, it looks green. You wear green and the team logo not only on game day but any other day of the week as well. You cheer for them through wins and losses (and God knows there are far more losses than wins.) It's trips to the Rider Store to see what's new and buying another “thing” that you really don't need because you have several other “things” already at home. It's standing in line in the pouring rain to greet players and get autographs. It's time spent in front of the TV enduring yet another commentary by Rod Black. It's game tickets, tanks of gas, hotel rooms, time off work and countless other things.

Some fans travel from far distances which involve plane tickets and finding accommodations. One fan, Devin Heroux, went to every single home and away game one year. Imagine the price tag that racks up! I'm relatively lucky because going to a game is only a day trip. Living in Saskatoon isn't ideal for football games and it means not being able to get to Thursday or Friday games. There's only so much time your boss will allow you to take off while using “football” as the reason. As much as I would love season tickets, it's just not feasible...money wise or for the fact that the waiting list is more than hundreds long.

Do you need or require season tickets to be a fan?

That sounds just plain wrong. Of course not. Can I appreciate the long career of Henry Burris while living in the United States? Can I love George Strait but never see him in concert? Can I adore paintings but never see a Vincent van Gogh? Can I cheer for Dale Jr and never see a Nascar race in person? Can I be a blogger and Rider fan while choosing to go to 5 games over 11?

Yes.

Hell yes.

Last week, the Saskatchewan Roughriders unveiled the new pricing structure for the new Mosaic Stadium. The stadium is 77% completed and is going to look amazing and I suspect there won't be a bad sight line in the entire place. Having just spent $800+ on a 5 game (10 ticket) Flex Pack, I can say it looked pretty good to me since that was close to the silver tier of pricing for 2017 season tickets.

So I got myself in a bit of a dust up. In the transition from Old Mosaic to New Mosaic Stadium season ticket seating will be moved around. Remember, this is the fan base who always wants change but never wants to see it to fruition. It's possible depending on where one is situated now that they might have to move to a less desirable local in the new stadium seated with people they don't have a report with from an angle they didn't bargain for. I've seen a few people say they'd even give up their season tickets than take end zone seats. And here's where I stuck my foot in my mouth...I said something like “that's not showing support for the team and the future.” What I really meant was...it's a new stadium and the beginning of an incredible future for this team we bleed for and you'd fold all your cards because of your seat? I never meant that support or loyalty isn't there. I never meant to question being a fan. I didn't mean that you spend your Rider Store money differently than anyone else. Yet, somehow, I am told that this is exactly what I did.

Then...

...THEN, I was told I can't have an opinion because I'm not a season ticket holder.

Huh.

SO typical, Rider Nation. You are loved as long as you think like me but as soon as your beliefs are challenged you are dead to me. This over reaction is what other CFL fans hate most about us and what they love to make fun of us for.

“ I cannot keep calm, I am a Roughriders fan.”

Le sigh.

If someone wants to give up their season tickets (and lose their opinion) because of the seating transition at New Mosaic Stadium then I'm sure an opinion-less fan on the waiting list would LOVE to be elevated to the status of season ticket holder. It all seems very silly though to be completely honest. I suspect the transition will end up being fine and the hard feelings will blow over in time.

I'm going to be gone for a while. Out. Of. The. Country. I'm visiting the Big Apple and Washington DC over the Easter holiday. Soon after it's music festival season, then training camp and before we know it...the first game of the CFL season will be here. Riders play the Toronto Argonauts on the evening of June 30^th. I'll be in section 25 Row 35 if you want to come say hi. I'll be the one in green.

It's Not June Yet

So a good friend asked me the other day, “Sandra, what's the temperament of Ridernation?”

Firstly, I think it's pretty cool that I can have these type of conversations despite the issue that many people are still shocked that I not only like football but that I love it and follow not only my Saskatchewan Roughriders but the whole CFL league. Apparently I don't look like a fan. How much green to I have to wear to convince people? Is there ever too much green?

Secondly, I've got the answers. The temperament of the average Roughriders fan is mixed and somewhat divided. This isn't new. Every time you think it's gotten better and the emotion has died off something else happens to ruffle the feathers. Some love the Chris Jones regime, others hate him and others just hate his personality but love the coach. There are still (in March – 2 months later) fans who bring up the whole Chick/Dressler releases. Ridernation doesn't forget much.

In contrast, there are fans such as myself who are completely encouraged by all the changes going on from coaching to recruitment to free agent signings. Misery loves company and in our social media age it is more popular to complain and pout than to be positive and enthusiastic. I once stated the louder voice isn't necessarily the correct voice nor the voice of reason. I stand by that and at the same time I also know that some of these voices will be the first ones cheering and going crazy with the first touchdown of the 2016 season while those of us who never lost faith roll our eyes.

Defining times in Roughrider history for me is hearing Corey Chamblin say things like “I guess that's how they're going to call it.” in regards to the new rules for 2015 and the referee’s calling interference penalties. Our undersized DB's had to play man to man instead of zone defence and the coaches stubbornness to conform to the new rules set in motion the demise of the whole season. The refs are calling the penalties that way because that's what the rules are. Period. Also, our undersized slower receivers were helpless against the taller DB's of other teams. Chris Jones has fixed this HUGE issue. You might not like how he's done it but in one swoop he upgraded the secondary and receiving corps.

Thank you Chris Jones! I've been waiting for someone who has the guts to make the tough decisions and stand by them. I applaud you!

Ridernation is passionate in all facets. Fans can be the kindest and warmest and the meanest and rudest all rolled into one ball of green and white. In February, I

Smartie loving Shawn Lemon & myself

went to the Rider Store at Lawson Heights Mall to meet three of the Roughriders. The line wasn't very long and I suspect that was due to two things a) it wasn't publicized well and b) fans didn't really know who the guys were. But I knew! ...and I was glad to be able to inform the elderly man who stood in front of me in line. Nic Demski, Shawn “Lemondrops” Lemon and the “Terrorist” Tearius George. What a great group of guys. I watched them greet people and kids of all ages and I got to see a jovial tender side of the players that I didn't know existed. I offered to take pictures for the elderly gentleman and did so with his cell phone. He was so thrilled to meet these players. We are family. Rider fans are my people.

It was brought to my attention that I have a history of disastrous happenings occurring after I've met players. At this point I really hate to bring it up, however over the course of several years I've realized that after I've met Roughriders players they've either been released or gotten injured. It is true and I hang my head in shame. I bought the Fantuz Flakes cereal and he left for the NFL then later went to the Hamilton TigerCats. I bought the Getzlaf cereal and he's been consistently injured and is now an Edmonton Eskimo. However, this is almost unforgivable...I bought Dario's and had them signed by Darian at the Co-Op in August of 2014 merely a week before the Labour Day Classic and he's been injured ever since. I've already pledged to stop buying CFL Co-Op themed cereal but this should also stand as a warning to any player I have met or will meet in the future.

I am not a season ticket holder mainly because living in Saskatoon it's tough to get to all the games. I am a proud flex ticket holder though. * smile * A few weeks ago I got an email from the Roughriders unveiling the new choose and pay system. Wow what a huge improvement! I used to have to fill out a shopping list and then wait to see if I got the tickets I wanted. Now it's all done online and I can choose different seats for different games. It's awesome. Hubby and myself will be going to 5 games this season. It's the Farewell Season and no rabid fan could possible stay away. I wish the home opener wasn't a late Thursday night game but it doesn't matter....I'm going to be there. I think every home game will be increasingly epic until the lights dim October 28^th. My 80 year old dad wants me to “swipe a piece.” I'm sure there will be a bit of that going on.

Taylor Field at Mosaic Stadium has seen the worst of times and then glowed like the grand jewel she was in 2013. Tears will be shed. At the same time, we are living in the best of times and 2016 will be one for the history books. I can see tomorrow from here and it's all green and white.