THE CANADIAN PRESS
REGINA — Gainer the Gopher — the beloved mascot of the Saskatchewan Roughriders — is persona non grata at the provincial legislature.
Premier Brad Wall, an avid Riders fan, says that’s because Gainer visited the assembly last year and then the Riders lost the Grey Cup in a heartbreaking finish to the Montreal Alouettes.
Wall concedes he might be a little superstitious.
"Well, if it’s superstitious to have told Gainer the Gopher at the pep rally at city hall that he’s not allowed anywhere near the legislature because he was here last year, then maybe," Wall said Thursday.
"If it’s superstitious to have a different (Rider) flag flying at the legislature on a different pole than last year, then maybe."
Last year, before the big CFL game, Gainer paraded around the assembly floor, proudly sporting his green jersey. He pulled out signs with the words "Go" and "Riders" to lead politicians in a cheer.
But Montreal edged Saskatchewan 28-27 in last year’s finale after a penalty on the game’s final play. The Alouettes had missed a 43-yard game-winning field goal but got a second chance after the Riders were called for having too many men on the field. This time, Alouettes kicker Damon Duval connected from 33 yards out to give the East Division champions the shocking win.
The Alouettes have been picked to win again on Sunday when the championship game is played in Edmonton.
But Wall says the Riders have proven time and again that their resilience and determination outweigh the odds.
"There were many football experts a few weeks ago who didn’t think the Riders would be winning the Western Final, let alone heading to the Grey Cup," said Wall. "But here we are with the Riders heading to the Grey Cup for the third time in four years. This hasn’t happened since the 60’s."
In addition to taking steps to avoid a repeat of last year, the premier is also trying to do things the way they were done in 2007 — when the Riders won the Grey Cup.
The government even issued a news release with the same joke in the headline: "Premier declares Friday, November 26 ‘Green Day’ (not the band) in Saskatchewan." The release asks everyone to show their Rider Pride by wearing green.
"People are doing it now. Everyone’s kind of decked out and has been all week, but it’s official (Friday), so put on your green if you’ve got it," said Wall.
The premier also noted that some Saskatchewan TV cameramen who were at the win in ’07 but not at the loss last year will be going to the Grey Cup this year.
"So I think we’re in great shape if there is anything to the superstition."
