ROBSERVATIONS: Happy third anniversary, Trevor Harris! … thank you, Jessica Gelowsky! … remembering two members of the 1993 Roughriders

A sweetheart deal can be eminently fair for both sides.

For verification, we take you back to Valentine’s Day 2023 — three years ago today — when the Saskatchewan Roughriders announced the signing of free-agent quarterback Trevor Harris.

Saskatchewan has since won 21 of the 32 regular-season games he has started. The record improves to 24-12 (winning percentage: 66.7) when you factor in post-season competition.

Most recently, Harris helped Saskatchewan post a 25-17 victory over his previous team, the Montreal Alouettes, at Winnipeg’s Princess Auto Stadium on Nov. 16, 2025.

He thus became the fifth Grey Cup-winning starting quarterback in Roughriders history.

On top of that, Harris earned Grey Cup MVP honours after completing 23 of 27 passes for 302 yards and directing all three Saskatchewan touchdown drives.

The completion percentage (85.2) was the best in Grey Cup history.

Just 18 days later, Harris signed a one-year contract extension. The original agreement from 2023 had first been extended on Dec. 6, 2024.

In each of the past two Decembers, he has been erased from the list of prospective free agents.

The last time he did test the open market, well, you know the rest.

“I think you coming to Saskatchewan would be a great fit — I really do,” Roughriders Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O’Day said after reaching out to Harris via telephone in February of 2023.

“I’ve always respected your game and, you joining the team, I think it would be awesome.”

Very soon, Trevor and Kalie Harris were en route to Saskatchewan.

Upon arriving at Mosaic Stadium on a snowy day, the Roughriders’ new No. 7 took video of the playing surface, smiled, and said: “New home.”

His first media conference as a Rider — and my first media conference as a Rider, for that matter — ensued.

“To be fully transparent, in 2015 when I was playing for Toronto, I told my wife, ‘I’d love to be the quarterback for the Riders someday,’ ” Harris told reporters.

“This is a dream come true and something I’ve always wanted. When you come to the league, you invite the high expectations and the pressure.

“I couldn’t be more elated to be here. I’ll never take for granted being able to be the quarterback for this franchise.”

That label still applies, with a few notable additions:

• 2025 Grey Cup champion.

• 2025 Grey Cup MVP.

• Future Hall of Famer.

• Legend.

And the best part is: We still get to watch him play.

THANK YOU, JESS

The post-Jessica Gelowsky era begins today.

Jess spent nearly three years as the Roughriders’ Executive Assistant to the CEO before accepting an offer to return to her previous employer, the University of Victoria, with expanded responsibilities.

While informing our staff of the news, President-CEO Craig Reynolds lauded Jess for her “incredible sense of professionalism,” “proactive nature” and “planful approach to everything.”

Jess must lead the world in sticky notes, which were affixed to the north wall of her office and graced with her precise penmanship.

And then there’s her friendship …

Despite being extraordinarily busy — as evidenced by sticky notes that seemingly pertained to every topic — Jess always had time for a chat.

There were times when the chair across from her desk felt more like a psychiatrist’s couch.

Very quickly, Jess became someone to whom I could talk about any topic.

You will not meet a nicer, more compassionate person.

And she happens to be great at everything she does — thankfully so, because she was integral to the Roughriders’ pre- and post-Grey Cup planning during what proved to be championship year.

Also in 2025, Saskatchewan was awarded hosting privileges for the 2027 Grey Cup Festival. Jess was on top of every detail while helping Craig and everyone involved submit an overwhelmingly successful bid.

The Roughriders aspire to be a championship organization in every respect. It is hardly coincidental, then, that the Green and White won a Grey Cup during what would be Jess’s final full season with the Club.

How much does she mean to the organization? On Thursday, Head Coach Corey Mace made a special trip to Jess’s office to express his gratitude and extend his best wishes. People like Corey and Jess are crucial to the remarkable culture that exists here.

With all of this in mind, I hung out with Jess one final time at the office on Friday afternoon.

I brought my all-world dog to the stadium. Candy and her hapless handler joined Jess for a walk around the concourse, as a follow-up to the dogless strolls of Wednesday and Thursday.

It was a bittersweet experience. As much as I enjoyed the walk, I knew that a page was turning.

I have known Jess for only three years — pretty much my entire tenure with the team — but she feels like someone I have leaned on for a lifetime.

As much as I will miss barging into her office, engulfing a chair and bombarding her with tacky jokes, there is considerable solace in knowing we will always be friends.

SAD NEWS

Barry Wilburn and Michael Proctor — both of whom played for the Roughriders in 1993 — have passed away in recent days.

Wilburn, an All-CFL cornerback in 1993, died on Feb. 6 at age 62.

He was found unresponsive after a house fire in Orange Mound — a neighbourhood in his birthplace of Memphis.

“Barry was as tight of a shut-down corner as I ever remember as a teammate,” recalled Dave Ridgway, the Roughriders’ placekicker from 1982 to 1995.

Wilburn had only two interceptions as a Roughrider, principally because rival quarterbacks generally (and wisely) refused to throw in his direction.

Any receiver who lined up opposite Wilburn could count on being blanketed — and not just during games.

“He stayed tough on all our guys during regular practices,” Ridgway said. “Some of our guys were mad at him for that, but he’d just laugh and tell them he was trying to make them better.”

Wilburn arrived in Saskatchewan at age 29, with an impressive NFL resume.

Most notably, he intercepted a league-best nine passes in 12 games for Washington during the strike-shortened 1987 regular season. He earned All-NFL honours from The Associated Press.

He capped his finest season by twice intercepting John Elway and helping Washington dismantle the Denver Broncos 42-10 in Super Bowl XXII on Jan. 31, 1988.

Wilburn spent five NFL seasons (1984-89) with Washington before being released in May of 1990. He was out of football for nearly two years before signing with the Cleveland Browns in 1992.

Following a standout season with Saskatchewan, he signed with Kansas City in May of 1994, only to be one of the Chiefs’ final cuts.

Wilburn quickly resurfaced with the B.C. Lions and helped them win a Grey Cup on home turf in 1994.

He then returned to the NFL, playing for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995 and 1996. His pro football journey concluded in 1999 when he spent eight games with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Proctor, a legendary college quarterback with the Murray State Racers, was 58 when he passed away on Thursday.

He dressed for three regular-season games and one playoff contest with the Roughriders in 1993.

Late in the Western Semi-Final at Edmonton, Proctor registered his only completion as a Roughrider — a 23-yarder to Bruce Boyko.

Kent Austin started at quarterback for Saskatchewan that day before being succeeded by Warren Jones and, finally, Proctor.

Proctor entered the Murray State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000. The school’s football program also retired his number (11).

SHORT SNORTS

• Wilburn is one of only two players to receive All-CFL honours in his only season with Saskatchewan. The first: Bobby Johnson (running back) in 1986.

• Newly signed Jonathan Kim recently became the 23^rd American placekicker in Roughriders history. Of those 23, only 11 haven’t played offence or defence. Of those 11, only five have been a placekicker but not a punter. Two of those five — Kim and Michael Hughes — are currently under contract to the Green and White.

• On Friday, the Roughriders announced the signing of running back Darrell Henderson Jr., who hails from Batesville, Miss. Also from Batesville: Roughriders offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick. Henderson Jr. starred at the University of Memphis, as did running back Mario Anderson Jr. before making his debut with Saskatchewan last season.

ROLL CREDITS …

• Nice people who deserve a plug: Jessica Gelowsky (repeat), Trevor Harris, Jermarcus Hardrick, Dale Derkatch, Dayce Derkatch, Megan McCormick, Robyn Lopinski, Jim Lopinski, Leah Lopinski, Kevin Garinger, Amanda Schlachter, Jason Holtvogt, Brady Holtvogt, Blaine Weyland, Camila Jaramillo, George Manz, Suzy Krause, Ellis Valentine, Bobby Valentine, Karen Valentine and, with profuse thanks for 29 Valentine’s Days, Chryssoula Filippakopoulos. Here’s to 29 more … please?