Saskatchewan's Gene Makowsky won the CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman award in 2004 and 2005. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
Feature
Rider Pride
Roughriders' Gene Makowsky bleeds green and white
Last Updated Fri., Nov. 23, 2007
John F. Molinaro, CBC Sports
It's taken Gene Makowsky a decade to get back to the Grey Cup.
As one of only two current Roughriders to have played in the 1997 championship game — running back Chris Szarka is the other — Makowsky will finally get another shot at winning a Grey Cup ring when Saskatchewan takes on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Sunday in Toronto (CBC, 5:30 p.m. ET).
Ten years ago, Makowsky was in his third season when the Roughriders lost in Grey Cup to the Toronto Argonauts in Edmonton.
Since that defeat, the veteran left tackle has established himself as the heart and soul of the Saskatchewan offensive line, earning three league all-star nominations (2004-06) and the CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman award in 2004 and 2005.
But a return trip to the Grey Cup eluded him — until now.
"It's not that easy to get here. It's been an eight- or nine-team league the past 10 years and it's tough to get here. You do wonder. You question if it's every going to happen again, but thankfully it did," Makowsky told CBCSports.ca.
Makowsky, 34, has fond memories of the 1997 Grey Cup, even though Saskatchewan lost 47-23.
"It was a lot colder than it will be here. It was a great event. The game itself didn't go well. We got up early but then Doug Flutie took over and he's a pretty special player and we lost that game," Makowsky recalled.
Born and raised in Saskatoon, the six-foot-three, 300-pound lineman was a standout at the University of Saskatchewan, helping the Huskies win Hardy Cup championships before being drafted 23rd overall in the 1995 CFL draft by the Roughriders.
Pulling on the Roughriders uniform is a source of pride for Makowsky.
"Just playing in the CFL is a huge honour and it's a privilege, but to be able to play for the team you grew up watching and the province you love, it's a truly unique experience and I'm very lucky to be here," Makowsky said.
It's been written and talked about so much that it's now almost a cliché to the rest of the Canadian population, but it can't be overstated that the people of Saskatchewan take their football seriously.
Very seriously.
"You have to realize the CFL is the only game in town. I would equate our passion for the game with if the Leafs won the Stanley Cup here in Toronto. It would be mayhem," Makowsky explained.
"Everybody talks about Rider football year-round — it's not just during the season or in the playoffs, it's a year-round thing. Football has always been big in Saskatchewan so us getting to the Grey Cup is a pretty big deal back home."
Makowsky recalls how the entire province celebrated winning the 1989 Grey Cup against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Toronto, the last time the Roughriders hoisted the Cup.
"The province went nuts and hopefully we can get that feeling back and get a win," Makowsky recalled.
As a veteran of 13 CFL seasons and someone who has tasted defeat in the Grey Cup, Makowsky has simple words of advice to his younger, less experienced teammates.
"I think the big thing is don't have any regrets after the game that you didn't play well or weren't prepared or you let distractions get in your way because it's a six-month off-season before you can even put the pads on again. You have to try and play your best game when you hit the field Sunday," Makowsky said.
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