JURASIN, BIRD AND BRANDT INDUCTED
Today, the Plaza of Honor Selection Committee reached back into the proud
history of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and announced that three new members
will be inducted this October.
Former Roughriders Gary Brandt, Larry Bird
and Bobby Jurasin will have their names forever etched into Saskatchewan football history.
Besides being the province’s most prestigious sporting dinner, the Plaza of
Honor Dinner has contributed over $4 million to the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club.
The Plaza of Honor Dinner, presented by SaskTel, has inducted 82 individuals
who have made major contributions to the proud tradition of the Saskatchewan
Roughrider Football Club. The cairn honoring The Plaza of Honor Inductees is situated outside the main gates on the west side of Taylor Field. The
Plaza of Honor cairn is sponsored by SaskTel, SASK SPORT INC. and the City
of Regina.
This year’s dinner is set for Friday, October 4th at the Queensbury Center on the Exhibition Grounds. For information on tickets or corporate tables for the 50th Annual Plaza of Honor Dinner presented by SaskTel, contact the Saskatchewan Roughrider Ticket Office at 525-2181 or 1-888-474-3377 or any committee member.
HERE’S A CLOSER LOOK AT THE INDUCTEES:
line from 1967 to 1977. The 11-year Roughrider joined the CFL after an
outstanding career at the University of Washington.
Brandt, a native of
Regina and a graduate of Balfour Tech High School, helped open gaping holes
for Hall of Fame and fellow Plaza of Honor inductee George Reed, who rushed
for over a 1,000 yards eight times.
In 1975, Brandt was rewarded for his
outstanding contributions by being named the Roughriders’ outstanding
offensive lineman. He was known throughout the CFL for his hard-nosed play, leadership and his versatility. During his career, he played all
positions on the offensive line and also long snapped on punts. Brandt helped lead the Green and White to 10 Western finals, four West Division
championships and four Grey Cup appearances.
force behind the Roughriders tremendous running games.
With Bird in the Roughrider line-up, the great George Reed rushed for over 1,000 yards five
times, and Mike Strickland added one 1,000 yard rushing season.
Prior to joining the Roughriders in 1971, Bird plyed his trade with the Edmonton Huskies, Alberta Golden Bears and Western Ontario Mustangs. In his eight
seasons with the Green and White Bird helped lead his teammates to six
Western finals, two West Division championships and two Grey Cup
appearances.
history, terrorized opposing quarterbacks from 1986 to 1997. Jurasin, a six
time Western all-star and four-time all-Canadian, is the Roughriders
all-time leader in quarterback sacks with 142.
During his remarkable career
in Saskatchewan, Jurasin played in 197 games registering 411 defensive tackles. In 1987, the Northern Michigan grad set a team record with 22
quarterback sacks. For his tireless efforts and on-field leadership, Jurasin was selected the Clubs Most Outstanding Defensive Player three times (1987, 1996, and 1997). He also won the Molson Cup Most Popular Player in 1987 and 1997 as well the Clubs’ Most Outstanding Player in 1997.
In his 12 seasons with the Roughriders, Jurasin was instrumental in leading the Green and White to two Western finals, two West Division championships, two Grey Cup appearances and a Grey Cup Championship in 1989.
