RIDER NATION STEPS UP
Rider Nation steps up to support team legend Reed
Fans raise funds for legend Reed
Sometimes even legends need a helping hand. Rider Nation was quick to offer one to George Reed.
The gesture kicked off Dec. 6 when a Gofundme campaign was started to offset some of the costs associated with mobility issues created by the number of surgeries the legendary Saskatchewan Roughriders fullback has endured.
As of Thursday, donations had reached $64,924, exceeding the $50,000 goal.
“It gives you a greater appreciation for Saskatchewan that people have stepped up to help out,” said Reed, who spent 13 seasons with the Green and White, beginning in 1963. “It’s one of those things that you’re very thankful for.”
The Gofundme page was the idea of Eric Johnson and his wife Shirley Wagman, the owners of Smokin’ Okies BBQ. Reed and his wife, Angie, have frequented the east Regina restaurant since 2009 and the couples have become close friends.
Johnson noticed that Reed’s mobility had deteriorated, especially over the last five years as he had his left ankle replaced and underwent two back surgeries.
Reed, who turned 80 on Oct. 2, has been forced to use a walker or a wheelchair. The lack of mobility was interfering with his quality of life.
Johnson was aware of other Gofundme campaigns. After consulting with George and Angie Reed and their daughter, Georgette, Johnson opened up the fundraiser with the headline: “The Great George Reed No. 34 Needs Our Help!”
“It’s a perfect platform for something like this because if people want to give, they can give,” Johnson said. “If they don’t want to give, they don’t have to give and it doesn’t hurt anybody. If you’re putting it out there with social media now it reaches a lot of people.”
The next step for the campaign is what to do with the funds. Reed said there are renovations needed to make it easier for him to move around in his Regina bungalow. The renovations may include a ramp to replace the stairs leading into the house from the garage.
Reed undergoes regular physiotherapy sessions and there are also costs associated with other aspects of his health care.
“The Saskatchewan health plan covers only so much, like my operation,” said Reed, who has also had his right knee replaced. “All of the other things, it’s a dollar here and a dollar there, and before you know it, it adds up.”
Johnson said it’s up to the Reeds how the funds are to be utilized.
“Wherever they need it, it’s there if they need it,” Johnson said. “Who knows what they’re going to need down the road in home care, help and transportation? Who knows because $65,000 really doesn’t go that far. We’re just happy that people got behind it and really supported it. It’s been a great thing.”
Johnson has kept the Gofundme account active with a nod to some of Reed’s older supporters who might not be as comfortable with the online world when it comes to dealing with finances.
“We’ve had several people mail cheques to us,” Johnson said. “I’ve had people come in with cash donations because a lot of people, or seniors, don’t like to do online banking. We’ve also had a lot of people that are just finding out about it, so we’re leaving it up to give everybody a chance that wants to help.”
Reed is a regular at Smokin’ Okies, where he even has his own booth. Reed spent 25 years in Calgary with Molson Brewery and started to visit the restaurant the same year he returned to Regina.
“It’s the food, the atmosphere and the company,” Reed said. “They’re a very good company and the food is very good.”
That friendship also led to the Gofundme campaign. So far, 810 supporters have donated an average of $80 each. A number of donations have been for $34, honouring Reed’s jersey number.
“If it hadn’t have been for Eric doing it, I probably would’ve never done anything,” Reed said. “(Angie and Georgette) wanted him to, and he surely wanted to do it so they took off and did it and they had it going, and I didn’t know it was going. It’s been very appreciated. Other than that, I’d have found a way to get some of the things done that I wanted to do and I’ve been very happy.”
Reed earned the appreciation of Rider Nation while rushing for a career total of 16,116 yards, a league record that stood for 33 years. He still leads the CFL’S all-time list with 134 rushing touchdowns.
In 1965, Reed became the first Roughrider to be named the CFL’S most outstanding player, rushing for 1,768 yards, an enduring franchise single-season record.
In 1966, he rushed for 133 yards and a touchdown as the Riders won their first Grey Cup, posting a 29-14 win over the Ottawa Rough Riders.
He received the Order of Canada in 1978 and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame the following year.
Reed’s impact wasn’t limited to the football field. At one time during his playing career, he was involved with 47 different charity and community groups, and that was on top of being the president of the CFL Players’ Association.
He also helped to found the Saskatchewan Special Olympics and created the George Reed Foundation, which focuses on helping the physically and intellectually disabled and the disadvantaged.
Reed and legendary quarterback Ron Lancaster both have statues outside Mosaic Stadium. The portion of 10th Avenue that runs on the north side of Mosaic Stadium was recently renamed George Reed Way.
His on-field accomplishments, what he did in the community and his approachable manner are among the reasons why he has received so much support from the Gofundme campaign.
“We’ve had people from Florida and Ontario mail cheques,” Johnson said. “We’ve had people from all over Saskatchewan send letters and cheques too. It’s just a great way for them to be able to give back and say thank you to George.”
Who knows what they’re going to need down the road ... we’re just happy that people got behind it and really supported it.