Jody Peters will always remember the forgotten pen.
It is part of a poignant, personal story he shared with Riderville.com in advance of his appearance at the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation’s Pigskins and Punchlines Comedy Night, which is slated for Saturday.
The late Ron Peters was someone “who never asked for anything,” his proud son recalls, but one exception was made in the case of George Reed.
“Dad was a major football fan,” the Saskatoon-based stand-up comedian recalls. “He loved football and his favourite player was George Reed.
“One time, we were just chatting, and he said that he wanted a jersey signed by George Reed.”
Roughly 15 years ago, circumstances would soon allow for the wish to be granted — but not without a humorous hiccup.
“A buddy of mine had a friend who played for the Roughriders,” Peters says in reference to former offensive-line standout Andrew Greene, “so he
got us tickets and we went to the players’ lounge.
“I said, ‘Do you think George Reed might be down there?’ I was told, ‘Yup, probably.’ I was like, ‘Oh my goodness! I’ve got to go get a jersey!’
“I wore the jersey at the game until we saw George down in the players’ lounge at halftime. Then I took the jersey off and said, ‘Mr. Reed, can I get this signed?’
“He was very gracious, but then he goes, ‘Do you have a pen?’ I couldn’t believe it, but I didn’t have a pen! His wife said, ‘George, I’ve got one right here,’ and he signed the jersey.
“It was the sweetest thing ever. I didn’t wear the jersey after that. As soon as George signed it, that jersey was for my dad.”
At the earliest opportunity, the autographed No. 34 jersey was presented to Ron Peters.
“It was one of the best moments that we ever had, and one of the best things I ever could have done for him,” Jody Peters says.
“I wish I could have thanked George for that, because that was huge.”
So was the parental influence.
Jody, who is of Jamaican-German heritage, was adopted by Ron and Doris Peters and grew up on the family farm near Aberdeen.
“Along the way, I realized, ‘I am not a good farmer. This isn’t my deal,’ ” Jody says with a chuckle.
There was a greater aptitude for football. Jody played the six-man game in Grade 10 at Aberdeen Composite School before being part of the nine-man version for two years at Rosthern Junior College.
“On the farm, I’d be chasing cattle and stuff like that,” Peters remembers. “I’d have a 1,600-pound animal barreling at me.
“My dad would be like, ‘How are you supposed to be good at football if you didn’t stop it?’ I’d say, ‘It’s like a locomotive! Most linebackers aren’t that size with a two-inch-thick head.’ ”
Peters’ final encounter with a linebacker took place in Grade 12.
He then enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.
A successful career in comedy ensued.
Peters’ busy touring schedule has included frequent appearances at the world-renowned “Just For Laughs” festival in Montreal.
Also of note is Peters’ role as the host of a TV show, The Prairie Diner, that combined his comedic and culinary interests.
The life of a stand-up comic can be compared to that of a football player.
There are, after all, road trips and audiences — but there aren’t any do-overs.
“There’s no more team-oriented sport than football,” Peters says. “You have to have everybody involved. Everybody has to do their job, or else the play doesn’t work.
“On a football field, there’s all sorts of help, so the only guy I can really relate to when I’m out there by myself is the field-goal kicker.
“It’s just you. If you miss it, everybody hates your guts. If you make it, you are an absolute hero. That’s the way it is with comedy. You either get up there and you kick (butt) or you bomb out.
“Sometimes you think, ‘Geez … everything was set up. It was totally right. Why didn’t that go well?’ It’s the same thing with kickers. I’m sure there are times when they think, ‘I don’t know why that didn’t work.’ ”
Peters’ work is not restricted to comedy. He assists Saskatoon-area youngsters in his role with Mental Health and Addiction Services.
While doing outreach counselling, he has discovered that the awareness of mental health issues and the programs available has expanded.
“I’ve spoken to so many kids and one of the things that I’m seeing less of is the kids who literally have no idea that other people have problems with their mental health,” Peters says.
“When I was younger, I was really going through some things. I really, honestly didn’t look at it as mental health. This is a long time ago — early to mid-’80s — and my self-esteem was in the toilet.
“I didn’t know it was a thing that you addressed. I thought it was just me. When you’re going through some mental health issues, everybody believes that they’re on their own. It feels like it’s just you and that no one else knows what you’re talking about.
“In reality, with more awareness, I think people have a better understanding that lots of people have had moments in their life where their mental health has taken a dip.
“Now it’s more of a commonly spoken-about part of our society or of our lives. That’s one of the best parts of events that raise awareness and raise money. With awareness comes acceptance.”
Saturday’s comedy event, to be held at the Ramada Downtown Regina, assists the Roughrider Foundation’s “Win with Wellness” youth mental health program.
Peters and fellow comedian Graham Clark will be on stage during a sold-out show that is to begin at 8 p.m.
“Pigskins and Punchlines” will include an online silent auction that is to close on Saturday at 9:30 p.m.
