Oh My, Check this out! CFL Rider Football

This was the greatest CFL haul of the year. Every year the 2007 Grey Cup Champion, Saskatchewan Rough Riders hold a practice in Saskatoon instead of Regina. They hold an autographs session, then a practice. All the players are accessible and just hang around the entrance. Something like 70 players in camp and all 70 were there. A different approach this year that threw us for a loop but then turned quickly to a great thing. They had a bunch of JR Football players line up, which appeared like a autograph line. But the players came out high-fiving the kids and then mingling in the crowds. John Chick, a D-lineman walked down the isle of kids and someone asked him for an autograph, he motioned with his hands where he would go to sign. I just waited and he walked right over to us. I missed him on my 2008 Rider ball so this was cool. I turned right after and saw Andy Fantuz was signing. No one really saw where he was because in 10 mins, there was a 15 min wait to get any where near him. I met up with Marc Parenteau, who visited our school in May and is also a very talented Offensive Lineman for the Riders. I chatted with him for a bit and went for more autos. I got Jason Clermont and very end, I have him on another ball but it was good to get him on the team ball. Seante Williams signed my ball, looked at it and said "This is a nice looking ball, better get it into a glass case." When the pro athletes comment on your items to get signed, makes the day even better! Last year I got 34 Autos on the 2008 ball, this year, 56. Oh Yah!

Marc Parenteau Saskatchewan Roughriders IP

Signed IP today, Saskatchewan Roughriders' Marc Parenteau. Great guy, great player and should be a starter this year.

Chris Szarka and Gene Makowsky-IP

Over the Trade show weekend, our town was visited by two Saskatchewan Roughriders. We were on our way to the Nickelback concert so time was kinda an issue. The deal was the local high school was fundraiser for a defibrillator so $5 or 2 players for $10 a picture to be signed after printed. Not a bad deal...So after a short wait I dropped $20 for the cause, laughed and said well I will get a football and jersey signed too. Some of my former students found me in line too, so I got them to get a smaller ball signed along with their hats too ( I then bought them a couple of Cokes). I have met both players before but the jersey is new so I added two more players (see earlier Rider post). More pics from the signing are in my Sports Image Section.

Oh my, they're where? A couple of Rider IP's

This morning my wife was looking though a local website, Kijiji and spotted a Family Expo in Saskatoon. Autographs from Saskatchewan Rough Riders Seante Williams and ex Lion & local boy, Jason Clermont from 11:00 to 1:00. We live 45 mins from the city so off I went. I am always prepared, I grabbed my jersey and small Pilsner Football and off to the city I sped. There was no line up, but it was set up for a long line. So like in the movies, I wandered through the line ropes to get to the players. Jason introduced himself and we chatted about golf and then I had my ball and jersey signed. Jason commented I had no numbers on it yet and I should go with his. It was a brief 2 mins or so but a great signing! Welcome home Jason!

Mike Abu Mechrek IP

The Riders will send out certain players each winter to promote reading in Saskatchewan. Mike Abu Mechrek visited our town to the delight of hundreds of school kids. Of course, it was more special after the 2007 Grey Cup Win. The sponsor is the store that pays for the player to visit the community and in turn, the player will visit the store to be with the fans. Mike is a great guy, funny and a real class act.

Pink Cutter Gloves-Szarka and Makowsky

Mike Abu-Mechrek and his wife did an excellent job in fund raising for breast cancer this year. The Riders used some pink Cutter football gloves which the CFL said was illegal in game use. So the Riders used them in the warmup and pratice. Abu-Mechrek auctioned off the entire teams gloves. 5-6 Players' gloves were auction off each week. I ended up buying Gene Makowsky and Chris Szarka's gloves. Boy, when I got them you could tell they were used, if you know what I mean.

Signed Saskatchewan Roughriders Football

Usually in May, the good ole Green and White come to Saskatoon for a couple of workouts during training camp. They have an autograph session before the practice for fans. This year there was approximately 1000 people that turned out to welcome the Riders. We had two footballs, a CFL ball and a Rider Logo ball for signing. I lost my wife about 10 mins into the session. It was informal with the team just positioned around the stadium. I walked up to a very young looking player and asked a picture with him. He was extremely polite and said sure. After a picture and signing my ball we walked away. No one heard of this player so there was very few lines to get him; #7. The CFL Rookie of the Year, Weston Dressler. Congrats on a great season Weston!
I told her to focus on a few players and she managed to get all but about 10 players. She had the camera and when I found her she was laughing, she managed to get pictures with Andy Fantuz and Gene Makosky. When the day was said and done, we had two signed balls and really neat pictures.