HOW STREET IT IS
Legendary Roughrider George Reed, now 80, holds a street sign Wednesday after the CFL team renamed a stretch of 10th Avenue in his honour. Mosaic Stadium’s new address has become 1734 George Reed Way — Reed wore No. 34 while playing.
George Reed now has a portion of 10th Avenue renamed in his honour to accompany his statue outside Mosaic Stadium.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders, the City of Regina and the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) announced Wednesday that a stretch of 10th Avenue on the north side of Mosaic Stadium, starting at Elphinstone Street through to Gate 2, has been renamed George Reed Way.
In 2017, statues of Reed and quarterback Ron Lancaster, another iconic Roughrider, were unveiled on the west side of Mosaic Stadium.
“If you think of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, two names automatically come to mind — George and Ronnie — and I had the privilege of playing with them for six years,” Roughriders alumni Dale West said.
“George just exemplified everything that it is right about being a professional football player and being a great human being.”
In addition to the unveiling of George Reed Way, Mosaic Stadium’s official address has been changed to 1734 George Reed Way.
The last two digits are in recognition of Reed’s jersey No. 34, which he wore for 13 record-breaking seasons with the Green and White. No. 34 is one of eight numbers retired by the Riders.
Riders president and CEO Craig Reynolds referred to Reed as “a living legend.”
“You can go anywhere in this country and they know George Reed and you don’t have to be a Rider fan,” Reynolds said. “If you know football, you know George Reed. It speaks to what he did on the field, but what he accomplished off the field as well.”
Reed, 80, retired in the spring of 1976 with a Cfl-record 16,116 rushing yards.
He was a key part of the 1966 Grey Cup championship win, rushing for 133 yards and a touchdown. The year before, he was named the CFL’S most outstanding player after rushing for a franchise-record 1,768 yards.
Off the field, he created the George Reed Foundation, which focuses on helping the physically and intellectually disabled and the disadvantaged. He is also a longtime supporter of Special Olympics.
“It’s one thing to be a football player,” West said. “It’s another thing to be a wonderful person. George has proven time and time again just how great a person that he is.”
Reynolds didn’t rule out the possibility of Ron Lancaster Way being among the plans for Evraz Place.
“With our 110th anniversary coming next year, we will really be looking at how we celebrate the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Riders greats,” Reynolds said.