So Long, Farewell

Tee shirt. Bunnyhug. Jacket. Jersey. These are the layers I wore to Saturday's epic farewell game at Taylor Field and “old” Mosaic Stadium. For the last time this season we drove the double lane highway from Saskatoon to Regina as many other Roughrider fans do. Lunch was at A&W on Albert Street which is a popular stopping off place for many who travel. Then it was to Northgate mall to catch the now free Fan Express.

Panorama from my seat before the game.

For the first time I've seen the stands were nearly full long before the anthem. It was fantastic to have members of the Piffles Taylor family there and for the great granddaughter to sing O Canada.

The last Snowbirds fly over and the last Bring 'Em Out.

The football game itself is a memory I'd like to forget. The team was flat and just couldn't get anything going as our sub par O line failed again and again...sack after sack. Ugh. Doubles deserves so much better than this. Even our defense took a step back with the exception of Willy Jefferson and Henoc Muamba.

What I've come to understand is that every time a game comes along that has a lot of meaning or some kind or symbolism the Riders don't have it in them to pull it off. Maybe that's just recent history. Maybe I'm just grumpy and tired of losing. The Riders just didn't look prepared for the tilt against the BC Lions and made Waaaaalllllyyyyyy and the Lions look like the play off team they are. The record tells us what we are and are very much a 5-12 team.

But look out in 2017.

The only game I've seen my Saskatchewan Roughriders win this season was the game Hubby and I went to in Toronto at BMO Field. What happened to that team? Did their playbook get lost with the baggage on the way home? I have lots to say about that game and experience but I'll string you along and make you wait for another blog.

Lets all go and Paint the Whole World Green

The extended halftime Saturday featuring Jason Plumb, Joss Moskeluk and the Jack Semple band was good entertainment. There was a serious lack of flying snowmobiles but we can't have everything perfect now can we? * smile * I sang and danced along. It was fun and we even cheered for the winner of the Ford truck.

Auf wiedersehen, good night.

Where were you when they closed Taylor Field? I think it's going to be the major question going forward. I made sure I was at the stadium. Going back to the spring when I received my Flex Pack renewal I KNEW we had to be at this game. We were in Section 25 Row 35 Seats 15 & 16. It was so completely worth the layers and frozen toes. I did not bang my leg on the seat back nor did I attempt to remove a seat. I preferred the Mosaic Moments and Memories instead.

On every seat was a Farewell bracelet for every fan to wear. Hubby was a party pooper and didn't want to wear his so I wore both. “I wear my bracelet on my ankle.” he quipped as I rolled my eyes. The bracelets were remote controlled and lit up in different colours or twinkled in sync with the closing program. I'd probably still be wearing them but Hubby made me remove them before driving home saying they'd be a distraction. I did wear one on Halloween though.

I don't always wear green. Meh, yeah, I guess I kind of do!

Screenshot from the TSN broadcast

The closing ceremony (which I've since found out was orchestrated by my Aunt Judy's brother, Bill Wright) … the closing ceremony, if I can call it that, was amazing. It started with fans sharing memories of their experiences via video, there was the story telling how Taylor Field came to be from the beginnings of Park Hughes and Park de Young and following history right up to the present. Then special guests were shown under spotlights on the field. Legends or the Four Pillars of Roughrider history. George Reed. Roger Aldag. Gene Makowsky. Darian Durant. (<---- sign that man!) Then the Grey Cup itself was brought in by the RCMP which always gives me chills and was passed from Grey Cup winner to winner. (sigh snibble snibble) Then Darian Durant gave a countdown to honour of the 13^th Man and fireworks lit up the night sky. What a glorious send off to the stadium and legacy that Ronny and George built.

My little green heart is/was very full of Rider Pride.

It took a long time for fans to leave the stadium. It's true we kind of didn't want to leave right away. The East Side was very slow to exit. We made our way back to the Fan Express to Northgate Mall except this time the traffic was too crazy and of course there was a train so the bus took a far different route than before and we passed new Mosaic Stadium all lit up in splendor just waiting.....

Rider Nation is ready. Let's get Darian signed and let's break in this wonderful new place with winning 2017 mosaic memories.

But first...Let's show the BC Lions what they have to look forward to next year.