Older Riders fans got a chance to meet their childhood football idols Saturday afternoon as 15 players from the original 1966 team came together for a special reunion.
Fans lined the streets outside of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame for a chance to get autographs, chat with players, as well as take photos with the Grey Cup.
The reunion marks the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Grey Cup Championship when the Roughriders defeated the Ottawa Rough Riders 29-14 in Vancouver.
The celebration is part of a compilation of events taking place for the final farewell season for Taylor Field at Mosaic Stadium.
Former running back and MVP, George Reed said he had many good memories at Taylor Field, but is excited to embrace a new era of football.
“Mosaic Stadium, it was Taylor Field, that’s what I knew it as,” Reed said.
“You know they have patched it up and did the best they could throughout the years, but it was time for the old girl to be put to sleep, and I’m looking forward to the new stadium.”
The players that brought the franchise and the province the first-ever Grey Cup championship will be honoured at Saturday’s game against the B.C. Lions during half-time.
The 76-year-old running back said these reunions are always a great way to reconnect.
When asked about how he feels when he looks at photos of himself 50 years ago, he said he doesn’t.
“I was very fortunate to play, and the photos speak for itself and everything so it’s always flattering to look back and think about it,” Reed said.
“I don’t look at them,” he laughed.
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