In terms of numerical value, exchanging a 12 for a 34 isn’t an even trade, but both parties in a Tuesday swap emerged with smiles.
That was the case after George Reed’s wife (Angie) and daughter (Georgette) received an autographed No. 12 jersey from Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker Brett Lauther.
In return, Lauther was presented with a green and white No. 34 jersey — the number having been retired by the team in 1976 as a tribute to the greatest fullback in CFL history.
Lauther and the Reeds chatted after Tuesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. Five days earlier, Lauther had passed Reed and moved into fourth place on the Roughriders’ All-Time scoring list.
“If anyone was going to do it, I’m glad it was Brett, because of all the things he does in the community and how he protects the players with the players’ association,” Georgette said. “He has kind of picked up the torch and moved it forward from where Dad had it.”
Reed served as President of the CFL Players’ Association for two terms (1972-81, 1986-93).
Earlier this year, Lauther became the CFLPA’s First Vice-President.
The commonalities extend to the Tom Pate Memorial Award, which recognizes a player who demonstrates exemplary sportsmanship and contributes to his team, community and the CFLPA.
The most recent recipient of that prestigious award: Lauther, who was honoured during Grey Cup Week in 2023.
“I thought it was really cool when I was at the Grey Cup and saw him win the award,” Georgette said. “I thought it was very fitting.
“Then for this to happen, it’s scripted from above. Dad hand-chose it.”
Georgette attended the 2023 Grey Cup Festival in Hamilton, where it was announced that the CFL had named its Most Outstanding Player trophy in honour of Reed. He was one day shy of his 84th birthday when he passed away on Oct. 1.
Over 13 seasons as a Roughrider, Reed rushed for 16,116 yards and 134 touchdowns. He scored three more majors on receptions during a career in which he amassed 823 points.
A 10-point performance on Thursday against the host Montreal Alouettes increased Lauther’s total as a Roughrider to 828. He trails Dave Ridgway (2,374), Paul McCallum (1,615) and Jack Abendschan (863) on the team’s career list.
The timing worked ideally in terms of arranging a chat between Lauther and the Reeds.
Georgette, who is the Athletic Director at Capilano University in North Vancouver, had already planned to be in Regina to celebrate her mom’s birthday on Tuesday.
That was also the Roughriders’ first practice day leading up to Saturday’s home date with the Edmonton Elks.
Jessica Gelowsky, the Roughriders’ Executive Assistant to the CEO, keeps in close touch with the Reed family. She played a key role in facilitating Tuesday’s meeting with Lauther.
“I told Jessica I was going to be in town for Mom’s birthday,” Georgette said. “Then she said, ‘Would you come down and congratulate Brett?’ I said, ‘That would be fantastic,’ because Facebook doesn’t count.
“It was nice to be able to be here and do it in person. The stars aligned and everything worked out. I was able to come down here at the end of practice and greet him and congratulate him in person.”
Lauther was humbled by the gesture.
“It’s unreal for me anytime you get to bump into Regina royalty,” the Roughriders’ sixth-year placement specialist marvelled. “They meant so much to George and George meant so much to this province.
“I had no idea they were going to give me one of his jerseys. I’m pumped. I thought it was the coolest thing ever.
“They asked me if I was going to put it on. I said, ‘No, I’m going to frame it. I’m not going to disrespect that jersey and put it on.’
“I’m super excited to get that jersey and just to see them again. It was a really good finish to practice.”
Lauther moved ahead of Reed by kicking a field goal at 9:27 of Thursday’s second quarter in Montreal.
The distance: 43 yards.
Imagine if the 4 and the 3 had been reversed and a 34-yard field goal had enabled Lauther to leapfrog Reed.
“That would have been really fortuitous,” Georgette said with a laugh. “Then you would have known it came from the heavens.”
