One year ago today, the Saskatchewan Roughriders welcomed a 58-year-old rookie.
His (ahem) stats will not impress or surprise you.
40-yard dash time: Wednesday.
Touchdowns: Zero.
Tackles: Zero.
Yards gained: Zero.
Weight gained: No comment.
For some reason, the team kept him around.
I am endlessly grateful.
Feb. 21, 2023 was my first day as the resident Senior Journalist and Roughrider Historian.
Since then, there hasn’t been one day when I haven’t looked around, marvelled at the surroundings, and asked myself with some amazement: “What am I doing here?”
Writing.
Interviewing.
Researching.
Helping myself to the assortment of goodies in the lunchroom.
The latter activity, as much as it needs to be curbed, is somewhat fitting.
I still feel like a kid in a candy store, even with the 60th birthday looming,
At heart, I’m still the 12-year-old Robert Vanstone who would immerse himself in Roughriders-related minutiae for hours on end.
That used to be a substitute for doing homework, making the bed, mowing the lawn, et cetera.
Now I am encouraged to be the 12-year-old me. In fact, it is part of my job description.’
A lifelong fascination with the Roughriders now doubles as an occupation.
I never expected this when I emailed President-CEO Craig Reynolds on Jan. 29, 2023 at 11:24 p.m.
“This comes out of the blue — OK, green — but I would like to bounce an idea/proposal off you if you would be kind enough to spare a minute or two, please,” my nine-paragraph message began.
I received a response the following morning, at 8:39.
We met for coffee at 3 p.m.
Three days later, I sat down with Anthony Partipilo (Chief Brand Officer) and Arielle Zerr (Director of Communications) in Mosaic Stadium’s Aldag Lounge.
Barely a week after my out-of-the-blue email, I reached for a green pen and signed an offer from the Roughriders.
I then made one of the toughest phone calls of my life — to Colin McGarrigle, the Regina Leader-Post’s Managing Editor, to offer my resignation as the Sports Editor/Sports Columnist and give the requisite two weeks’ notice.
The first few seconds of a once-unimaginable conversation were a stress-inducer, but Colin could not have been nicer. He made a tough moment as easy as it could possibly be.
I will always love the Leader-Post and cherish the 13,431 days between the beginning and end of my tenure with my favourite newspaper.
But it was time for a change. I was getting stale and, according to nine out of 10 experts, so was my cologne.
This entire experience has been rejuvenating.
To this day, my eyes bug out. (Thank goodness for the Roughriders’ top-drawer optometric plan.)
It is impossible to walk to or from the lunchroom, for example, without being stopped in my tracks by two autographed jerseys — those of Ron Lancaster and George Reed — that are on display.
As well, I am in awe of the people.
From the minute I staggered out of the elevator on Feb. 21, 2023 and was greeted by Administrative Assistant Shiane de Jong, I have appreciated the kindness and remarkable professionalism of everyone I am so lucky to call a colleague and, moreover, a friend.
And I have learned a few things …
I thought I knew a lot about Roughriders history (ergo the job title) until I immersed myself in a few research projects. It turns out that I had barely scratched the surface.
I knew that General Manager and Vice-President of Football Operations Jeremy O’Day was a hard-working and eminently decent individual. But I had no idea as to what his job entailed until I saw him in action, often alongside Assistant GM Kyle Carson.
Jeremy is always on his phone. Kyle is always on his computer. They are both exceptional.
From a distance, I suspected that quarterback Trevor Harris was an A-plus human being. Then I spent a few hours with him and realized that “A-plus” was actually a low rating and a new grading system should be applied.
The first time we sat down for an informal chat, at training camp in Saskatoon, Trevor was the one who asked all the questions. He wanted to know about my life, my family, my job.
I told him about a very fluky introduction to my wife. Yes, he heard all about our dog. And he showed me a video of his marriage proposal — one that brought tears to my eyes.
So, yes, Trevor is A-plus-plus-plus, etc.
The same assessment applies to all the coaches, players, football-operations personnel and administrative staff. Their kindness to me, and patience with me, has been mind-blowing.
Unrealistically, I wish the team would hold a Bring All Your Friends To Work Day so that I could introduce everyone to, well, everyone!
Consider Craig Reynolds, for example.
When he hires someone, he also ensures that they have all the resources and support necessary to thrive in a vocational environment. Then it is up to the employee to go to town, so to speak.
When someone brings a level of expertise to the team, they are trusted (and expected) to do that job well. There isn’t any impediment to peak performance.
Craig is as extraordinary as he is modest. He doesn’t need to see his name in lights or in articles.
On numerous occasions, I have sent him a story about a community-based event, for example, and asked if he wished to be quoted therein.
Not once has he responded in the affirmative. He is always happy to cede the attention to Seth Strankman (Manager, Game Entertainment and Events), Eva Fletcher (Event Co-ordinator), Jacqueline Hurlbert (Director, Marketing and Fan Engagement), Cindy Fuchs (Executive Director, Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation), Karina Peterson (Community Operations Co-ordinator) or anyone else I have quoted over the past year.
Honestly, I could write volumes about everyone here.
I learn something from Anthony, a man of stratospheric intelligence and insight, every time he utters a sentence.
A dear friend for several years, Arielle is now my boss. Her perspective now helps me personally and professionally. She is a gem.
Kent Paul, the Chief Financial Officer, is blessed with a keen sense of humour and an ability to play third base for the Roughriders’ slow-pitch team.
Kent has a dog named Rider. Anthony has a dog named Ryder.
I have a dog named Candy, who is mentioned every second or third sentence — to the extent that Corey Mace, the newly appointed Head Coach, routinely inquires as to the well-being of my growler.
What a place this is! How did I get so lucky?
The only tough part pertains to the business of professional football. I don’t think I will ever get used to the comings and goings of players.
One day at training camp — in the buffet line, which also serves as an alternate mailing address — I had a wonderful chat with offensive lineman Kooper Richardson. Two days later, he was released. It hurt. Everyone loved Kooper.
Also in Saskatoon, I spent a considerable part of an afternoon shadowing receiver Derel Walker during photo day. We quickly hit it off. When Derel was released, well, that also stung.
Linebacker Derrick Moncrief is an absolute gem. Ditto for receiver Jake Wieneke. Every conversation with both of them, be it an interview or an informal chat, improved my day.
So, yes, it was difficult to digest when Derrick and Jake were released. I reached out to Jake via text message and he ended up making me feel better.
The Roughriders, I have discovered, are a magnet for remarkable people like Derrick, Jake and, well, go down the roster or the staff directory and pick one, or two, or three, or 40.
I wish I could write about and thank everyone. Eventually, I will — because even as my (gulp) 60th birthday approaches, I still try to convince myself time is on my side.
I prefer to think of myself as a sophomore. It sounds and feels much younger.
Now, if you will excuse me, I just have to check with my agent (a.k.a.) Candy to ensure that I didn’t sign a one-year contract …
