Craig Reynolds wore his heart on his sleeve Saturday.
The president and CEO of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders was wearing a Humboldt Broncos jersey as he met with the media prior to the Humboldt Strong game — a contest dedicated to the Broncos and the community of Humboldt.
On April 6, the SJHL’s Broncos were heading to Nipawin for a playoff game when their bus collided with a semi-trailer at the intersection of two highways. The crash claimed the lives of 16 occupants of the bus and injured 13 others.
The Roughriders offered their support in many ways, including a tribute game. The contest chosen for that purpose was Saturday’s meeting with the Montreal Alouettes at Mosaic Stadium.
Reynolds said the process of dealing with the Broncos since the accident has been emotional for him — and he felt the same way Saturday as he pulled on a Broncos jersey.
“I remember going home (after a meeting with Broncos officials) and just being emotional because of how impactful we think this day will be, how emotional this day will be and hopefully how memorable this day will be,” Reynolds said.
“When I put this jersey on, it was really, really meaningful to me and it’s so meaningful to our organization to be able to support the way we are.”
Broncos president Kevin Garinger also was sporting a jersey Saturday, but his was a Roughriders jersey bearing the number 13 and the word ‘Broncos’ on the name plate.
“There’s a lot of emotions that comes with wearing the green and white of our Roughriders,” Garinger said. “It’s always that way, especially on game day. But because of the significance of today, (it was) very much emotional for sure.”
The Roughriders and Broncos have been inextricably linked since the crash.
Reynolds called Garinger in the days following the accident to see how the Roughriders could help. Those conversations prompted the CFL team to provide assistance, including the production and distribution of merchandise that will raise funds for the Humboldt Broncos Community Fund.
The Roughriders also held a training-camp workout in Humboldt on June 3, drawing thousands of people to Glenn Hall Park for an event that included a barbecue and autograph session as well as a practice.
That day, the Roughriders also announced plans for the Humboldt Strong game. The Roughriders are playing host to the Broncos, immediate and billet family members, officials from the organization and the community of Humboldt, and first responders who helped the victims on the day of the crash.
The goal, Reynolds said, is to allow the members of Rider Nation “to wrap their arms around Humboldt and around the Broncos.”
“I think it’ll be emotional at times,” he added. “My hope and goal — and our hope and our goal — is that it’s memorable. We hope it’s memorable for the victims and the victims’ families who are here and I hope it’s the start of the healing process for them.
“I hope they feel the support of the fans. You’re going to probably see some incredible ovations and I think it’s going to bring chills to our fans and to the stadium because I think there are going to be some memorable moments.”
A tribute video is to be shown before the game and representatives of the Broncos and the community of Humboldt are to take part in pre-game ceremonies.
Ribbons have been painted on the Mosaic Stadium turf at the 29-yard lines to represent the 29 people who were on board the Broncos’ bus. The stadium has been decorated with other green and yellow items to h
onour the Broncos, while the players on both CFL teams will have Humboldt Strong decals affixed to their helmets.
“It’s going to be a very emotional time — a very positive time,” Garinger said. “We’re here with our beloved Riders in Riderville, so it’s a time when we’re able to come together as a Broncos organization with the families and really be able to celebrate our time together and do it in one of our more prized places in Saskatchewan.”
Garinger admitted that April 6 “feels like a long time ago and it feels like just yesterday.” But the toll the crash took on Humboldt and on the Broncos hasn’t hindered Garinger or the organization from carrying on.
As the Broncos try to prepare for the 2018-19 SJHL season, the organization also is attempting to help the families of the crash victims adjust to their new normal.
Some of the families hadn’t met before Saturday, but all of them likely will deal with emotions emanating from the evening. The hope may be to help with the healing process, but it’s unlikely that the event will provide them with a sense of closure.
“I don’t think there’s ever closure on these things, to be honest with you,” Garinger said. “You’re never going to bring an end to anything. I think this is just another part of the journey to healing and everybody is at a different place on that path.
“At this point, it’s a matter of continuing with whatever needs to happen that way — and we’re just blessed that we have this opportunity here in Regina together to really continue on that journey.”
