Members of 2013 Grey Cup team being honoured by Riders

As the 2023 Saskatchewan Roughriders prepare for a clash with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the organization is honouring one of its shining moments from a decade ago.

Members of the 2013 Grey Cup-winning Riders squad are in the Queen City as the team gets put into the Plaza of Honour.

Kickoff for Saturday’s CFL game is set for 5 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium. Also during the game, the Riders will honour legendary fullback George Reed, who died on Sunday.

Saskatchewan won its fourth championship in team history with a 45-23 win over the Ti-Cats at Mosaic Stadium on Nov. 24, 2013.

“We knew the last time they had won was in 2007 and they only had three Grey Cups so we knew if we could get a win (in that game), it was going to be more than special for not just only us, but the province as well,” said defensive back Tristan Jackson.

Defensive back Terrell Maze said it’s been great to see all of his old teammates and coaches back in Regina.

“It’s funny because even though it has been so long, you fall right back into it – all of the same vibes, all of the same old jokes, the same feeling,” Maze said.

“These guys are seriously like brothers and the fact we accomplished something as brothers — it makes it that much sweeter.”

Maze said he didn’t play much after the game, so it was the pinnacle of his career.

“You get kind of lost in life – you’re living (a) regular life, you’re working a job, you don’t get to revisit those feelings often,” Maze said. “My last time here was really being a part of that. It’s amazing – you don’t realize how much you miss it until you get to be around it again.”

Safety Tyron Brackenridge said fans embrace you as a Rider.

“I always talk about (how) from the day I got here, I just felt that. To be able to do something so remarkable here in the hometown of Regina where the team is and where a lot of the fans were born and raised, how can you not have that be the most memorable time of your life,” Brackenridge said.

“As an athlete, you don’t win championships very often. It’s very, very difficult no matter what level you play on to win a championship.

“For us to do it on a professional level, it’s amazing.”

Former running back Kory Sheets, who was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player after rushing for 197 yards and two touchdowns, said he was happy quarterback Darian Durant finally won the big one.

“He got it at home too and the way he did it was he carried the team throughout the playoffs,” Sheets said.

“I remember running to him and saying, ‘Hey we did it. We finally got you one.’ It was a special moment and I still think about it today. We did something together and it was great and you can’t change it.”

While there are no members of the Riders currently who were a part of that winning team, a few players were fans of the Green and White when they won the title.

Slotback Mitch Picton, who was then a member of the University of Regina Rams, was selling 50/50 tickets at the big game.

“I remember I was with my brother and I don’t think we sold a whole lot of tickets,” Picton said. “I think we were on the sidelines and watched most of the game.

“It was a great game to be in Green.”

While offensive guard Evan Johnson wasn’t at Mosaic Stadium to watch the team do battle on Taylor Field, the then-University of Saskatchewan Husky was watching at his wife’s farm.

“There was no chance I was missing that game,” Johnson said. “It was a great game and obviously a huge celebration afterwards.”

Johnson said it can’t be understated how much football means in Saskatchewan and so winning the championship is special.

“It means a lot to the province. Everyone’s excited and everyone is cheering on the Green and White,” Johnson said.

“I remember all the way back to the 2007 year too. We were excited – watched the game in Regina here and walked down Albert Street and joined the celebration. It was a celebration for the whole city and the same thing in 2013 as well.”

As the team celebrates its past champions, Picton said it provides motivation for the current group.

“It’s a big deal. That’s what we’re trying to do here now with this team,” Picton said.

“Just looking up to those guys and seeing the things they were able to accomplish was inspiring to us and something we strive for.”