Saskatoon super-fan heading to Winnipeg for Riders’ West Final appearance

It’s difficult to find a group of fans as dedicated and passionate as Rider Nation.

With the West Final game against the Blue Bombers coming up Sunday, football fanatics have a lot to look forward to.

The game is in Winnipeg, but that isn’t stopping some Saskatchewan fans.

Janice Owen lives in Saskatoon. She’ll be making the 780 km drive down Highway 16 on Saturday to catch the game.

She’s so faithful to the team that she didn’t even wait to see if the Riders would make it this far in the playoffs.

“I booked my tickets and I booked my hotel a couple of weeks ago with full faith that we would be in the West Final,” she said.

She’s spent much of her life as a football fanatic, she goes to the Grey Cup every year.

“Every now and again, one of us got to go with Dad to a game, and just grew up with that whole Taylor Field atmosphere. I had Dad, and uncles and brothers who played sports so I was exposed to it, so I knew the game, but I loved the experience of the game,” she remembered.

“I actually moved away to Alberta for 20 years. When I moved back to Saskatchewan in 2008, I took my son to a game and he fell in love with the experience. So, I bought season tickets that year, and have had (them) ever since.”

The Riders are the underdogs heading into Sunday. Winnipeg dominated in the regular season, with an 11-3 record. Saskatchewan had a solid 9-5 year, but they also struggled with some close games.

That being said, Owen has a good feeling about the matchup.

“I’m hoping for a repeat of 1989, going and slaying the juggernaut. I was actually at the 1989 game when the Riders when into Edmonton and beat Edmonton, who lost (two) games that whole year. So, I’m praying that the spirit of 1989 shows up again,” she said.

She also has a good luck charm that harkens back to those days.

“I’ll be wearing my Bobby Jurasin jersey. He was with the 1989 team, he’s my all-time favourite. Hopefully, that injects a little bit of luck,” she said.

While the Bombers and the Riders certainly don’t get along on the field, it’s a different story for fans like Owen.

“Doing the Grey Cup every year I’ve met lots and lots of people across the country with the CFL. Believe it or not, I have a lot of Blue Bomber friends. So, I’ll probably meet up with them for a beverage Saturday night and head to tailgate before the game, and then go and inject a little green into the stadium on game day,” she said.

Overall, win or lose, she’s just looking forward to the experience.

“I’m a Rider fan and I want us to win. I’m going to predict us to win, but if we can go in and play a good game I’ll be proud of our team just the same as a win.”

Owen’s tradition of seeing every Grey Cup game will make for a tight schedule. She’s set to make the long drive from Saskatoon to Winnipeg Saturday, then catch the game Sunday. She’ll drive back to Saskatoon Monday, then hop on a plane headed for Hamilton the next day.