Today’s blog is coming to you compliments of downtown Calgary, however, I’m not all that sure that my words can do justice to the scene here. You read about it in National papers every day, see it on TV, and listen to it on the radio, but to be here and feel the Rider Pride, green energy and collective pull of the Rider Nation is something else.

From flags hanging in local business windows to what seems like every second person wearing Rider jerseys, hats, scarves, toques, earrings, necklaces, shirts, sweaters… shall I go on? I really do feel as if I’m right at home in what has been enemy territory for so long.

The fact remains that not since 1997 when the Riders played for the Championship in Edmonton has there been a Grey Cup venue so close and so rooted in Saskatchewan lore than here in Calgary. This will be the 16th appearance in Lord Grey’s Championship for team green, and while we all know about our 3-12 record, so many of those past games have been played in very eastern or very western confines.

Calgary is the second most perfect place to be playing for it all. And what about the Als? They must be feeling a little forgotten in the heartland of football this week.

I can’t imagine what it must be like for the easterners this week after having played in the game they hosted last year. Sure there was a ton of pressure on the Als as everywhere they turned in Montreal they were reminded about them being in the game, but there was also the luxury of home-field advantage. Olympic Stadium was a
madhouse for the home team last year, much like McMahon will be for the Riders this year… but is that necessarily a good thing?

I bounce back and forth hourly as to whether all the Rider fans and hoopla across the middle part of our country is a good thing for the Roughriders. I guess the conclusion I’m going to reach is that yes, it is a good thing, and here’s why.

When I drove around Regina last week on game day I was overwhelmed with pride for our team. It was like the collective positive vibes from nearly everyone in the city and province was going to propel the Riders to victory. Some saw it as major pressure (at least the Stamps tried to spin it that way) but it turned out to be an incredible scene at Mosaic that spurred the Riders on to victory.

This Rider phenomenon is bigger than any one of us. It’s larger than life. And yes we can talk about the Alouettes being more talented and their 15-3 regular season record and this and that… but the Riders have this seemingly magic green aura around them, and it continues to follow them wherever they go.

Tonight at the CFL Player Awards John Chick goes after a Defensive Player of the Year Award, and I like his chances. The gentle giant that is Chick has just gone about his business all year, and should be rewarded tonight.

I knew the Riders would be the home team here in Calgary, but this is out of this world. Enough writing for me… I’m heading to Riderville to get this Grey Cup week in full swing.

Go Riders