RIDERS IN OTTAWA
Parliament Hill practice site
The Saskatchewan Roughriders were kings of Parliament Hill.
The Riders conducted a walkthrough Wednesday on Parliament Hill for the third straight year in advance of CFL game against the Ottawa Redblacks. The Riders and Redblacks are to play at TD Place on Thursday.
Wednesday ’s walk-through drew a contingent of sun-splashed onlookers and some Rider fans, who stood out in their green and white jerseys and T-shirts.
“It’s amazing because it’s Canada, it’s classic and it’s iconic,’’ said Jaclyn O’Shaughnessy, a diehard Riders fan who lives in Ottawa. “It’s my first year seeing them (in Ottawa) because I was out of town last year and the first year my son (Nathan) was sick. Mommy duties sometimes come first.
“Still, I don’t get see practices or training camp because I live in Ottawa. This is the one time that I get to see them outside of a game, so it’s pretty cool.’’
Saskatchewan’s tradition of visiting Parliament Hill started in 2016 when Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, was touring the Parliament Buildings with the players and the football operations staff.
Jones saw the expanse of grass on Parliament Hill and wondered if the Riders could conduct a walkthrough because it was within walking distance of the team’s hotel.
A path was cleared for that to happen and the Riders became the first CFL team to hold a walkthrough on Parliament Hill. They followed up the first walk-through with another in 2017.
A highlight in 2016 occurred when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the players and coaches and threw around a football.
Trudeau wasn’t around on Wednesday, but Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer was. Scheer, who is leader of the official Opposition and Regina- Qu’Appelle MP, tossed a football with members of the Riders’ defence.
“To see them here on Parliament Hill is amazing,” Scheer said. “It’s a reminder of Saskatchewan and back home and in front of the Peace Tower is an iconic location. It’s great to see them practising on this lawn.’’
Scheer wasn’t concerned about alienating potential supporters by wearing Roughriders colours.
“I think everyone is allowed to cheer for their home team,” Scheer said with a laugh.
“In other leagues, I cheer for whatever Canadian team is left in the playoffs. When it comes to the CFL, I have to go with my home team, my home province and my home riding.’’
Parliament Hill was a busy place Wednesday with the Riders, the workers setting up the massive stage for the upcoming Canada Day celebrations, and hundreds of people participating in a weekly noon-hour yoga class. Some of the Riders even stopped by to work on their yoga poses before walking back to their team hotel.
“It’s always fun because there are a lot of people out there,’’ said Riders receiver/defensive back Duron Carter. “I think there were 700 women in a women’s yoga class that we crashed. I love getting out in Ottawa because the people are always nice.’’
Riders quarterback Zach Collaros had already toured the Parliament Buildings while playing with the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Wednesday was the first opportunity that he had to actually practise on the Hill.
“I always love coming to Ottawa because of the architecture and how cool the buildings are,’’ Collaros said. “I’m a fan of history, but I’m not as well-read as (former Roughriders offensive lineman) Peter Dyakowski is. I always look forward to coming here to play and to walking around the town a little bit. Walking into Parliament is pretty cool.’’
Defensive tackle Zack Evans spent the last four seasons with the Redblacks. Evans had visited Parliament Hill with his family and in-laws, but Wednesday was the first time the Regina product practised on the Hill.
Evans said that some of his teammates were surprised that the Riders were even allowed to work out on the lawn.
“I don’t think they realized that’s like our White House and that we are allowed to practise out there,” Evans said.
“They were talking about how there were gates and security all around the White House. I told them ‘This is Canada and we’re nice to each other.’ ”
I think there were 700 women in a women’s yoga class that we crashed. I love getting out in Ottawa because the people are always nice.