Second Season

All 21 weeks in the CFL have been played.  There's been highs, lows, challenges, adversity, injuries and surprises.  The standings have been set and the play off picture solidified.  Second Season has arrived.  It's one and done.  Survival of the fittest.  Take your torch and leave the island.  Hang up your chef coat.  You're chopped.

A couple weeks ago, a students parent stopped in my classroom and looked at my 2013 Roughriders Championship sign.  "Are you a fan of this team?" She asked.  Yes.  "Oh, they've only won 4 times...that's not very good."  😐 Blue Bomber fans are quick to also point this out.  The Roughriders, after playing them three times this season and winning the season series, will be playing them one more time at home in beautiful Mosaic Stadium.  It's been 28 years since the Blue Bombers have won a Grey Cup and this will be the first time since 2007 the two teams have met in the play offs.

2007 in my opinion was the year we got away with one.  It was the year of the last minute Labour Day victory on the legs of Kerry Joseph.  It was the year of the black out game.  It was also the year the Kevin Glenn led Blue Bombers had a legitimate chance at winning the 97th Grey Cup.  Kevin Glenn got injured and they were forced to play Ryan Dinwiddie.  The game was held November 25th in Toronto at Rogers Centre. The Roughriders won 23-19.  Lenny Kravitz was the halftime act.  It was the first time a Labour Day match up had played in the Grey Cup and the last to be broadcast on the CBC.  

The Riders are now finding themselves in a similar situation.  Odell Willis "sacked" Zach Collaros in the Riders final game of the regular season and after a few plays was removed from the game.  It's true that there hasn't been an official announcement on Collaros' health but I'd like to think that if he were in question for the Sunday play off game the Riders wouldn't have allowed him out on the weekend making an appearance at Capitol Ford to sign autographs and engage fans.  I also think that Zach is the kind of player who might have to be seeing blue birds and have broken legs before not committing to play.  At any rate this is a question which is in the back of all the minds of Rider Nation.

The Roughriders did cause a stir by coaxing ex-Rider, ex-Stampeder, ex-Bomber, ex-Redblack, Drew Tate out of retirement.  They also signed Quinn van Gylswyk at the same time but that virtually went un-noticed.  What could this mean? Speculation was rampant on social media.  Firstly, I don't think anyone is completely or even slightly convinced that Brandon Bridge could relieve Zach Collaros and effectively command the offence.  After having a great showing in 2017, Bridge just has not been that guy and as much as he seems liked the coaching staff has restricted his plays this season...some would even say handcuffed.  Even in short yardage, the Riders have elected to use DB Nick Marshall and QB (3rd Stringer) David Watford instead of a taller and more experienced Bridge.  It would not hurt to have the expertise of someone like Drew Tate.  Secondly, and lastly, to me the play offs aka Second Season are a "no holds barred" and "win at all costs" type of scenario.  You use whatever tools you can.  If that means signing players who can and willingly give intel on their previous teams...especially teams who you know you will meet in your play off run, well, you do it.  You go all out.  I think this is also why we've seen a few other signings which for the most part have flown under the radar.  Jones, you green wearing sly devil you!

Still us Rider fans are having to ward off the usual smack talk from other fans.  The most common one is the reminder of how the Winnipeg Football Club (the official CFL name by the way) forced the Riders to lay a giant goose egg in their last meeting of the season.  I'll also remind those people of another game back in 2012 where the Riders beat their team 52-0.  I've also had to endure the ribbing of Stampeder fans who told me it wasn't mathematically possible that the Stamps wouldn't finish first and yet there we saw them on Saturday having to play Bo Levi and as many starters as they could muster (those who aren't still on IR) to secure their spot.  It's okay...we all know how their play off runs usually end anyway.

So there's plenty of stuff being flung in all directions.  Isn't it fun!  Isn't this what makes the CFL so cool and appealing?!  I know I can hardly wait for this Remembrance Day play off match up.  I've got my play off ticket.  I've planned what to wear.  I've printed and laminated my signs.  This will be my first ever Second Season game and the first for Mosaic Stadium.  If you don't have your ticket yet, why the heck not?  Get out there.  The 13th Man needs to be out in full force. Let's paint the world green.  Again.  

I'll be in 126.  Cowbell in hand.  Go Riders!

Winnipegish

It started with a dream...

No no no, not the one where Darian Durant dreamt about winning the 2013 Grey Cup in front of Rider Nation at Taylor Field. I'm talking about the dream I had about 2 weeks ago and only 3 people know about. I texted my friend Maria...

I had the most bizarre dream that Darian Durant signed up for piano lessons 🤣🤣🤣 that’s a long commute for lessons!

It's odd that I'd have a dream like that on May 3rd and seemingly out of the blue. Granted I was not feeling well at the time and I do tend to dream bizarre things when I'm sick.  At any rate, what transpired early Friday morning, also out of the blue, had a lot of Blue Bomber fans also feeling sick.

Darian Durant announced his retirement from the CFL on his own terms and by himself through social media in the early morning of Friday May 11th.  I myself saw it on his Instagram.   
When Doubles was traded to Montreal it never sat well with me and I wrote a few very honest blog posts about that and my feelings.  I loved this man.  I never understood how he could go work for Kavis Reed the very man who cost him his 2009 Grey Cup ring.  Then he seemingly showed the Riders he still had some gas left in the tank but that quickly faded as did everything in Montreal. In January of this year just before Durant was due a big playing bonus he was released.  Screwed again by the same man.

Then the Winnipeg Football Club (the Bombers CFL registered name) signed Darian awarding him a 70K bonus and relegated him to back up behind Matt Nichols. GAG.  I never could imagine DD in a Bomber uniform and although I really don't know him at all, I also couldn't envision him in a back up role either. I always suspected that's why he and Chris Jones didn't get along.  I mean, he did his time as back up didn't he?  Darian Durant came into the league via the negotiation list of the Hamilton Tiger Cats. His rights were obtained by the Roughriders at the same time Kerry Joseph came over in the Renegades dispersal draft.  That was 2006 and he was 3rd string QB in 2007 behind Kerry Joseph in that championship against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers - the same team which Kevin Glenn has led to the cup but then became injured and thusly Ryan Dinwiddie took over sealing the Riders winning fate.  That off season Joseph was traded (as then GM Eric Tillman likes to do) and in 2008 the Roughriders went through Marcus Crandell, Steven Jyles and even the likes of Michael Bishop before the South Carolina native Darian Durant was given the reigns.  He did his time holding the clip board.  I don't think he was going to go back to that without a fight especially after being sidelined with injuries over 2014 and 2015 as well as a mediocre season in 2016.

Yes, I said mediocre.  That's an honest perspective. Lot's of fans like to think that by being honest and stating that opinion it's okay to label me a hater. Nothing could be farther from the truth. There are several factors that went into how Darian Durant performed that year and Montreal had similar issues with their team in 2017.  He had a job to do and as much as we all loved him, he didn't perform up to the standard required. I'm sorry if that appears like a harsh statement but if any of us fans under perform in our jobs we will also likely lose our jobs.  That's my logical unbiased opinion.

Over shadowed by the announcement Friday was the realization from the Bombers that Darian Durant was not giving back his signing bonus. The complaining, out cry and hatred that poured out from social media from all corners of the nation was cruel and embarrassing.  Lot's of Rider fans rejoiced for Darian sticking it to the Bombers one last time by making off with their money and leaving them in a lurch with a week to go until Training Camp opens.  After listening to the terrific and candid interview on the Sportscage podcast my 83 year old Dad and Rider fan came to the conclusion that DD4 made the decision that he didn't want to go to Winnipeg without his family and I quipped "Dad, no one *wants* to go to Winnipeg".  Ultimately that was the defining factor it seems.  When it comes to that signing bonus my Facebook pal Dale Dowson said it best "If you receive a Christmas bonus and then quit in January you don't give the Christmas bonus back".  He is so correct. Nor would any of us return our vacation pay or any other employee perks.  Moreover, Darian was not the first player to do this and he won't be the last.  We all recall how Bomber fans ridiculed Rider fans when Maurice Price made off with his signing bonus in 2016. Not so much fun when the tables are turned eh?

What none of us can deny is that Darian Durant had a heck of a CFL career.  He was only one of 4 Roughrider quarterbacks to lead the team to a championship title and only second in quarterbacks with the most Grey Cup appearances. While he has 2 rings with the Riders we all know he left everything on the field in '09.  He did it all for Ridernation there is no doubt in that.  The memories of these last years will fade and by the time Durant is inducted in to the Plaza of Honour we will once again get to celebrate his career. 

Thank you Darian for everything you did for us. We will not forget you.  Good luck in all your future endeavors.  Enjoy this time with your family.  Come visit us soon.

DURANT

* wind chimes *

I pick up my phone.  It's probably just Environment Canada with another wind chill warning.  No, wait.  That didn't sound the same.  Maybe I should look at it.  Naw, never mind, go back to sleep.  No.  That wasn't the same alert.

* heart pounding *

Saskatchewan Roughriders announce......Darian Durant....trade rights......Montreal Allouettes....

Oh crap.  Is that for real?  * blink blink *  What time is it anyway?  7:36am  Why is it so cold in my house?  Ugh.  Friday the 13th.

Warning on my furnace thermostat

It was 16 degrees in my house because for the two hours previous the sensor in the furnace quit working.  Luckily, I knew how to replace it.  While my house slowly warmed up and coffee started to course through my body it really began to sink in.

Darian Durant traded to the Montreal Allouettes for two draft picks.

It was hard to put into words.  My Rider green heart said that's it, I'm done, I can't do this anymore.  My thawed brain said you knew this was going to happen because it was taking too long.  Anything past Christmas was going to mean a trade. Something had been said or commented on just prior to the Newsome re-signing and I got a gut feeling that it wasn't going to turn out in Ridernations favour.  It was then I stopped using the hashtag SignDurant.  I started to realize it wasn't Chris Jones who was the hold up and that it was in fact something going on with Durant's side.  My hope faded but just didn't think of the consequences.

Consequences.  * shakes head *  Darian Durant is now the Quarterback for the Montreal Allouettes where Kavis Reed...aka Krazy Kavis...is the GM.  How is that even possible?  GROSS!  The Als of all teams.  I mean.  2009.  Period. 

Myself & Darian Duran at Green & White Day 2008

The first time I met Darian Durant was at Green and White Day at Griffiths Stadium here in Saskatoon.  He was by himself and just standing around.  No one was paying him any attention.  Hubby said to me "That's going to be our starting quarterback."  So I went over and he graciously let us take a picture and he signed my football. 

Myself & Durant at the Coop Saskatoon

The next time I was able to see Doubles was at the Co-Op on 8th Street when he came during the bye week of 2014.  It was the week before he got the shoulder/arm injury.   Darian signed my Dari-O's cereal boxes which I had framed.  I kept one and the other I gave to my Dad for Christmas.

The last time I saw Darian Durant up close was during training camp in Saskatoon at the downtown street fair.  I shook his hand and said something that made him smile.  I never would have thought at that point that the Riders team was ever going to be different.  No Durant at QB? pfft!

When Hubby and I went to the football game Oct 15th in Toronto it had the feel of a game which hadn't been there in a very long time.  It felt like a 2013 game.  There was a running game.  Darian was on top of his game and played like the monkey was off his back.  Everyone stepped up and we beat the stinky Argo's.  Two weeks later at the Farewell game it was a totally different story.  Not to mention there was the air of it being the final game at Taylor Field but it felt like the end in other ways as well.  There was the split second thought that Darian was going to announce his contract in front of all of us but as we know that didn't happen.  Looking back Darian already knew it was the end of his legacy with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.  No, I don't know that for sure but in retrospect, it seems that way.

Screen grab from the TSN Farewell broadcast

As I've said many many times before, I have believed in Darian Durant all the way.  I've prayed for touchdown passes and scrambles.  Here is what I know, Darian has always been more successful when surrounded by "his guys".  He likes to throw to players he knows and trusts and if that isn't there he just won't throw to them.  We've been lucky to have guys like Dressler, Getzlaf, Bagg and even Taj Smith but take them out of the equation and the ball just doesn't get spread around.  Another aspect is very much like another legendary Rider quarterback, Ron Lancaster.  When he was hot he was on fire but when he wasn't he totally stunk up the place.  Darian is/was very much the same way.  How successful will he be in Montreal?  I guess it depends on how quickly he finds chemistry with their receivers who at this point all we know of is Nik Lewis and SJ Green.

Anyone remember in 2008 when Kerry Joseph was traded to Toronto?  I do and I also recall shortly after when he was traded to Edmonton and then was released and he just faded away until we used up his heart in 2014.  There's also Henry Burris who was traded from Calgary and later from Hamilton.  Of course we know that he led Ottawa to winning the Grey Cup in 2016.  I see two ways Darian Durant's career will play out...he will either use the emotion from how this played out for fire to propel that Allouettes team forward or he won't be the answer to what's going on in Montreal and it will be the end.  I wish Darian Durant all the best in his future and thank him for all he's done for Ridernation and the province of Saskatchewan but I've got a gut feeling and my guts as it turns out aren't often wrong.

Photo saved from a Google search

Friday the 13th 7:37am Stu Gooden of Global News Saskatoon messaged me about the trade.  It wasn't until after I changed the furnace flame sensor in my pajamas that I actually told my husband what had transpired in Riderville.  Heat was slightly more important than football at that point.  Hubby is excited.  "Let's use those draft picks and get some O Linemen from Laval!"  You know what?  He's right.  I'm on the waiting list to get Roughrider season tickets.  I'm number 3357 so if you want to give up your tickets over this I will gladly take them.  I am a Saskatchewan Roughrider fan.  I've seen players traded before.  We've lost a lot but we've also seen incredible emotional wins.  Players get released, traded & retire.  It is the circle of football.  We've survived more than any other club in the CFL could endure.  This too shall pass.....

.....and I hope it's a long touchdown pass to win the game. 

 

 

Almost Everything

We almost had it all.

Or did we?

Nothing could compare to the 2013 season. We hosted the Grey Cup. We hoisted the Grey Cup. Everything we could imagine in our wildest dreams came true...and came true right in our own stomping ground.

2014 never stood a chance. No matter how we tried to keep the pieces of the puzzle the same...they wouldn't fit. We lost players to free agency. We lost players to injury. We lost hearts in the stands. On and off the field we just couldn't get things gelling. Maybe it was Grey Cup hang over. The feeling, drive and determination was not there as it had been. Then when the unthinkable happened and our franchise quarterback, Darian Durant, went down it devastated us more than any of us wanted to let on.

*SIGH*

It was within reach. We made it to the play offs by a hair. In the end, we just couldn't do it no matter how much we willed Kerry Joseph to do it for us. Thinking about it now, maybe we put more pressure on him than he was able of handling in the circumstances.  I am heartbroken for him. His words of criticism cut and no one should have to bear that.  We wanted him to "Kerry us to the Cup" but it wasn't going to be the stuff Disney movies are made of.  Especially when we had all the glory last year.

So what's next? Well some are calling for firings and big shake ups. I'm not about that at all. We all learn from losses. Some will say 'what do you know, you aren't a player' and that's true. I've always felt that my career choice of piano teacher was similar in many aspects to coaching and playing football. I teach the fundamentals. I give you the skills to play. Sometimes there are concerts, exams and festivals. There are winners and losers. I've seen winners lose and previous losers win. Losing is a good thing. It builds character and it motivates. My students who have experienced both come away smarter, fine tuned and better prepared. It's the same for football. This loss as painful as it feels now will serve us in 2015.

None of the logic makes it easier does it?  The fact is the lockers will be cleaned out, changes will be made in the off season and a new team will emerge from training camp. Our community will gather to support them all clad in our newly pressed green jerseys, hats and face paint.  Our voices will go hoarse from cheering. Our hopes will once more rise.  It is the way of Rider Nation.

Hold you head high. Reflect with happiness. Know that we had almost everything.

Football & Social Media

Social media is a powerful thing isn't it? I don't think I really understood until I got going on Twitter. You can tweet your happyness or despair and people respond. It can be wonderful and it can be terrible all wrapped up in one big bow. 

This week activity on Twitter exploded with the excitement surrounding Quinn Magnuson's "unofficial" CFL Twitter Awards. If you haven't voted...and why the heck not? Get over there and do it now....or stay and read *wink*  The fun started when everyone tried to get all the football clubs to follow them. I found myself reaching out to all the CFL teams and appealing for follows.  Some did.  Some didn't.  I think everyone made new friends in the process and had a few chuckles. 

I followed Henry Burris.  Proof I can get over pretty much anything.

I even tweeted "I had a better chance of being followed by Jon Cornish than by the Sskroughriders" after being followed by many of the other teams.  You see...I am blocked by Jon Cornish. I have and never will harass the guy.  There is no denying he is a great running back.  I'm sure he does take a lot of crap from fans and no he shouldn't have to deal with it.  It's his right to block or mute if he wants to.

In my defense, I was merely mentioned in a tweet in which people were blocked.

All Rider Nation really wanted was an apology for the Moon Over Mosaic incident.

It's just a little suspicious at the amount of Rider fans who seem to be blocked. But I won't dwell on it.

Meh.

Take Darian Durant...last season he was fined by the CFL for his tweets regarding defending himself to someone not only harassing him but his family as well. What was he to do? Blocking may have been easier. But no matter because all Rider fans quickly came to his defense and the hashtag Dariansfault was born.

We are out there on the loose. We can tweet anything and anyone we want. I was overjoyed the few times I interacted with Kory Sheets and then when he recognized me in person...well...<faints>.  I've also been the victim of harassing too.  I've had to block people.  I've had to block fellow Rider fans and other CFL fans too. Why do we think we can say anything we want to on social media? Why when there is such a media presence saying don't bully does it continue to happen everywhere?  Why can't we just be kind to each other?

*shrugs*

As I said, this week has been a ton of fun but we are on the eve of the semi final games and tempers will probably flair.  The BC Lions became the crossover team and play the Montreal Allouettes in the eastern semi final. The Saskatchewan Roughriders were able to stay in the west and play the Edmonton Eskimo's in the western semi final.  I've predicted that it will be the Als and Riders to advance.  This time tomorrow night we will know.

All season there has been a quarterbacking issue. Montreal had to go out and find a quarterback. Lulay was back for about 10 minutes before being injured again. Darian Durant was injured in the Banjo Bowl. The Eskies seemingly had a good guy in Mike Reilly until he was plagued by an unknown ankle injury.  The mind games have been played in the west. The rosters are set. If our own Riders veteran QB Kerry Joseph can win this game it will go down as a legend.  I think he can.

This may be the end of the season for two teams. I hope fans stay calm.  I hope no manure is dumped.  I hope everyone can look for the silver linings.

And.....
.....Go Riders Go!

Dream It

I don't know if many of you remember that right after the preseason I said I'd eat my Rider flag if Keith Toston wasn't The Guy.

I lied.

I didn't eat it.  Good thing too because we finally saw him start against the Stampeders.  He looked great.  I like the speed he has.  The problem is that I now really like Allen too and I love how Messam can be a threat too.  Do I dare say that Toston might be Next Year Guy?

No matter what, I miss Kory Sheets at RB like crazy.

I'm really tired of a couple debates going on around the water cooler these days.  The first being 41 year old Kerry Joseph.  Ugh.  It feels like that's his complete title now.  Forty-One Year Old Kerry Joseph.  *eye roll*  You know what?  I love it.  Who says life ends at age 40?  If a guy is in shape, can still take the reps, and throws darts and threads needles like KJ showed us in the last two games...then BOOYAH!  Wow. The Kerry Joseph has played amazing.  Let's drop the age.  It doesn't matter anymore because his playing and mentality has totally changed the focus on the team...motivated everyone and made this rabid fans jaw drop every time he throws down field.  Wow.  And also if you don't believe that Joseph could lead the Riders to a playoff run and possibly a legendary Grey Cup repeat...then we don't want you on the bandwagon.

You have to believe.  You HAVE to.

And to those of you who are making our 9-8 record a big deal... I say to you... 1989.  Riders were 9-9 in 1989 and won the Grey Cup in a much similar situation as the team is in this year.  Two quarterbacks...Burgess and Austin.  A dream season.  It could happen again.

The other topic is will or will not Darian Durant play again or in the play offs.  I am soooooooo tired of all the sports guys talking about this.  What I know from following Darian's career is that he has tremendous heart and emotion for the Riders.  I think it's killed him standing on the sidelines watching the team falter.  I know it would if I were him.  I also know he's not letting the media see everything.  I'd bet my signed Dario's box if he was not already throwing at home or in the back yard or in the locker room.  Sure, we want Darian to be safe.  It would be horrible if Doubles returned too soon and got re injured.  It would be a Lulay situation.  But how can he not try?

Then OHEMGEE he threw a few balls at practice Monday.  My Twitter notifications lit up like my neighbors already displayed Christmas tree.  What I want to see for now, is for Kerry Joseph to start and throw Darian in for short yardage situations.  Just having Darian dress would be an amazing boost for Rider Nation.

How did you like the snow Monday?  Felt a little like playoff weather didn't it?  I admit that the feeling of dread in my stomach didn't last for long when I reflected on this time last year.  In fact, I got a little excited. I got play off butterflies.  It was fantastic.

So lets talk playoffs.  West or East?  Well, we did the west last year.  I like our chances against eastern teams much more.  I don't think travel or time change is a factor anymore.  The division doesn't matter because without a home playoff the Riders travel anyway.  Since the time changed last weekend traveling east is only an hour different now.  I'd rather have to play the TiCats or Argo's or Allouettes for that matter, than confront the Eskimo's or Stamps.  Can you imagine the story lines that would/could be written?  No team has successfully advanced to the Grey Cup through a cross over.  Saskatchewan Roughriders Eastern Division Champions.  Imagine that?!  Crazy eh?  

I love it.

Darian Durant had a dream last year.  He heard in his dream Cuthbert & Suitor announcing the Riders as 2013 Grey Cup Champs.  Maybe he can dream again....

..... and the Saskatchewan Roughriders are your REPEAT Grey Cup Champions.

Think it.  Dream it.  Do it.

Win, Lose & Quarterback Draw

You know it's going to be a great day when the sun is shining, mail arrives with your name on it and the Riders w.....

Oh wait.

WE didn't win?

Well dang.  It sure felt like it...sort of.  My poor little green heart was looking for resuscitation while Seth Doege repeatedly tossed interceptions.  I mean, he knew we were the guys in green, right?  Then Tino SUNseri came into the game and holy smokes did he light things up.  He not only marched us down the field but went for 3 straight converts.  2 point converts haven't seemed to work this year but the Riders did it 3 times in one game!  Then the game was tied at 24 and my green heart was set to a thumping like it hadn't since...I saw Kerry Joseph on a quarterback draw to win the Labour Day Classic in 07.

Coincidence?

This morning as I was procrastinating and finally got around to mopping the floor, which is my most hated household task by the way...I returned to social media to find out the Riders announcing Kerry Joseph, the 2007 MVP & Grey Cup champ was signed to the green and white.  How THRILLING!  We don't know what roll he will have or what number he will wear but I can assure you he isn't being brought in to carry a clipboard. 

So many fans and media have been calling for changes.  Bring in Burris.  Give Price a chance.  Yada yada yada.  So here we have change.  The Riders have done something to try to remedy the situation to get us through until Darian Durant can return...and they still aren't happy!  Wha? 

I think this is exciting and amazing news.  He was available.  He was willing.  He is a veteran.  He was an ex-Rider.  Who else could be capable of winning...who could almost step in and right things now?  Sure he's old but even Calvillo was older and he was still playing up until his injury last year. I think this is a great move by Brendan Tamon.

So WE did lose on Friday.  But dang it sure came close.  There were so many bright spots.  The SUN was so bright I needed sunglasses. 

Back to reality.  This morning while gathering the mail I got a wonderful expected surprise.  CKOM's Quinn Magnusson sent me two autographed cards.  *smile*  He's quite the character and if you don't follow him on Twitter, you should.  He's a fun guy and an ex-CFL-er full of all kinds of football talk.  Thanks tons Quinn!

Labour Day Classic 2007

It was Labour Day in 2007 that I witnessed my community come alive.  This was the season of dreams when every long suffering fan’s biggest wish would finally come true.  It was the the season of the Black Out, when Rider Day was proclaimed and the year the Grey Cup finally made its way home for only the 3rd time.  The impact that these things had was much more than what happened on the football field.

My neighbours across the street, who we have since coined “The Rider Fans” began wearing their Rider shirts for game day.  It’s a tradition they still have and now include their two little children.  They are much bigger supporters of Tim Horton’s than myself and coming home with a round of Double Double’s work for them but just doesn’t have the same impact for us.  Rider fans aren’t just a little ‘stitious…..we’re SUPERstitious.

At the grocery store people began to wear their green and white proudly.  We’d talk to each other…..”Nice jersey”  “Thanks”  “Where’d you get it?”  It was just the beginning of a new kind of gang where Next Year Country was becoming This Year Country.  It’s not uncommon to see people in Rider garb along with decorated businesses, car flags and license plates.  We began to wear our hearts on our sleeves and indeed prove that pride does live here.

My neighbourhood is usually quiet.  People stick to themselves except for the slight neighbourly hello from across the street.  On this Labour Day we were all tucked into our houses in wild anticipation of what the Classic would bring.  I don’t remember much of the game, to be honest.  I remember we did have a knack for pulling out a win in the last minutes…..seconds of any given game and that’s exactly what happened when then quarterback Kerry Joseph ran the ball in for the winning touchdown. 

Afterwards we headed out into the yard to give our lilac bush a hair cut.  Everyone else was spilling out into their yards and street.  Lawn mowers started, cars drove away and down the street a little boy tossed a football to an adult.  “Do you like football?” he asked.  Yes, indeed we liked football.  It connected us all if only for a time or moment.