That Elusive Grey Cup

Someone once said "Sports is a game played by idiots who are entertaining fools". Not sure about the accuracy of that statement but here a full 24 hours after the Saskatchewan RoughRiders gave away the Grey Cup, I am left with this hollow feeling in my stomach and a feeling of total disbelief. The RoughRiders once again became the darlings of the nation and facing the almost invincible Montreal Alouettes almost pulled it off. Well in fact they did pull it off and would have won the game had it not been for a too many men on the field penalty after a missed field goal that moved Montreal ten yards closer and this time the kick that gave them the Grey Cup 28 - 27 over the Riders.
Much has been said about the penalty. Talk shows were full of how could this happen?, fire the coach, who's the player to blame and then downright disappointment about the one that got away. Most fans were pretty forgiving, some not so much and one lady put it in to proper perspective when she pointed out that a real tragedy had occurred when a young man was killed in an industrial accident in the south east of the province. Of course she is right but the heartache remains.
Much has been said about the penalty and that was the difference but still there is other blame to go around.
1) A Luca Congi missed field goal
2) The decision to kick a field goal when the Riders were on the two yard line.
3) A costly Darian Durant interception and probably the biggest of all
4) With under two minutes left the Riders failed to gain a first down and had to kick the ball away giving Montreal a chance to move into field goal range. A couple of first downs, some ball control and the kick would never happened.
So for the Riders and the province its next year country again. Three Grey Cups in something like 100 years and a fourth one that just slipped through their fingers. Actually the Riders may have become the first team in history to celebrate four Grey Cups and win only three. After the Duval field goal sailed wide there was tremendous celebration by the Riders only to have the flags thrown, too many men, and Duval a chance to do it again and seal the deal.
Despite the heartbreak of the loss this has been a special season for the Green and White and a special season for their loyal fans. What is there about this team that so endears them to fans throughout the world? The Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers are two NFL teams that have been called America's team and loved throughout the country. But they were successful. The same can't be said about the Saskatchewan RoughRiders. Three championships in one hundred years.
Years of missing the playoffs. A first place finish this year in the West ending an unbelievable thirty three year drought.
Well perhaps this year's 2009 edition of the Riders holds the answer. Picked to finish last in the West, the Riders finish first.
Along the way they took five points out of six away from the defending champion Calgary Stampeders and then whipped the
Stampeders in the Western Final. Along the way they engineered some miraculous come from behind wins, overcame a
series of injuries and maybe the most important of all did it with more than the required number of Canadians.
Add to that a young rookie quarterback in Darian Durant who thrived and survived in a football market where quarterbacks
are regularly run out of town. Everybody likes to cheer for the little guy and the Riders stood tall as the small market team,
Perhaps that's why Canadians from coast to coast love this team and follow them religiously. Someone said no matter what city hosts the Grey Cup they are always excited to have the Saskatchewan RoughRiders come as the West representative. It becomes a fun party atmosphere with hordes of green and white painted fans, lots of watermelon heads and guaranteed success for the host city. Unfortunately for the loyal fans of the Green and White it is next year country again. Seven months from now the fever will hit us all again. The questions will be back and lets hope the Green and White answers them all like they did this year. Stand tall and proud Saskatchewan RoughRiders. You may not have brought home the Cup but you are true champions indeed. And remember you are supported by the greatest fans in the world.