Saturday declared George Reed Day in Saskatchewan

In recognition of his years playing for Saskatchewan’s team and his work in the community, the province has proclaimed Saturday as George Reed Day in Saskatchewan.

Premier Scott Moe made the announcement Thursday, with Reed’s daughter Georgette just a few feet away.

She said her father was a great man, and he was most proud of being in Saskatchewan.

“Sixty years ago, he got an offer to come to Saskatchewan to play football, he didn’t even know where Regina was. He drove by it twice, and once he got here, he realized that this was a place where he could make so many dreams come true – the dreams for our family, dreams for the Roughriders, and dreams for the province,” said Georgette.

During his time with the Riders and decades afterward, Reed was active in the community with different charities and organizations.

Saturday will be proclaimed George Reed Day in Saskatchewan to remember and mark all the good Reed did in Saskatchewan. (980 CJME)

Georgette said he loved to contribute and selflessly volunteered his time.

“He would always say ‘If you want something done, give it to someone who’s really busy.’ And at one time, he was busy enough where he was part of 47 different charities and was still able to come and hang out at my swim meets and do all kinds of other things,” she said.

Moe praised Reed as he made the proclamation.

“There will be many who speak of his accomplishments on and off the field, but I know there will always be one common theme that will be running through everyone’s individual reflections of George, and that would be about his generosity – his generosity of spirit, his generosity of his time,” said Moe.

In 1973, Reed became the CFL’s all-time leading rusher. The community celebrated on Oct. 7 that year, proclaiming it George Reed Day. Now, 50 years later, the Rider legend will receive the same honour on the same day.

“May we take this time on Saturday to remember George’s legacy and to do our very best to emulate George, to emulate what he would have done. May we take time this Saturday to remember George’s legacy and to do our very best by him,” said Moe.

Reed was a fixture in Saskatchewan for 60 years, starting his career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1963 and spending his entire 12-year CFL career with the team, including leading it to one of its four Grey Cup wins in 1966.

A book of condolences was set up at the legislature on Thursday and will move to the REAL District on Friday for the celebration of life planned for Reed.

Reed will also be honoured at Saturday’s Rider game.

A book of condolences was set up at the legislature on Thursday as the premier proclaimed the upcoming Saturday George Reed Day in Saskatchewan. Oct. 5, 2023 (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)