Photo courtesy of the John Robertson estate — John Robertson with Ron Lancaster
Today, we have tailored (Taylored?) the name of this column in order that we may proudly bring you Robbieservations.
These words are dedicated to the memory of a Canadian sports writing legend, John Robertson, who was a key player leading up to and during Rider Pride Day — Oct. 28, 1979.
Forty-four years ago today, a once-unimaginable overflow crowd of 28,012 flocked to Taylor Field for a game against the B.C. Lions.
The stadium’s capacity had increased to 27,606 in time for the 1979 CFL season, but thousands of empty seats were the norm for the first seven home games.
The Roughriders, under first-year Head Coach Ron Lancaster, were in rebuilding mode. The growing pains were excruciating as Saskatchewan lost its first 12 games of the season.
Then came a 26-25 stunner of a victory against the visitors from Edmonton on Oct. 14, 1979, in the Roughriders’ penultimate home game of the season.
As fans rejoiced over that classic conquest, plans were formulated for a pack-the-park promotion.
That is where Robertson, who had been the Regina Leader-Post’s lead sports columnist from 1963 to 1965, entered the equation.
Leading up to the late-October matchup with the Lions, “Robbie” — who was then based in Winnipeg — made five trips to Regina over a 10-day span.
He refused to accept as a much as a nickel in reimbursement for travel or accommodations expenses. He was offered a $500 speaker’s fee for the Roughriders’ $200-a-plate dinner, but donated the money back to the team.
“There is a magnet here,” he said during his keynote speech at the dinner. “It’s like an old lover I keep coming back to.”
He also made a comeback to the pages of the Leader-Post, writing a column for a full-page advertisement that touted Rider Pride Day.
“I know that many thousands of you have grown to love the Roughriders over the years, as if they were your own sons,” Robertson wrote. “And I know that you don’t quit being proud of your sons just because they lose a few football games. But if you’re like me, sometimes you’re so busy telling them what they are doing wrong, you forget to tell them that you still love them as much as ever.
“Sometimes you forget to tell them how proud you are of them, even when they make mistakes — and recent Rider teams and their executives have made more than their share of mistakes.
“Sometimes you let them grow away from you — perhaps because they stopped reminding you how much they needed your support — until one day when you decided to put on your coat and go and see them, you discovered to your horror that they were gone … forever.”
I will forever remember Rider Pride Day, on which the home side won 26-12.
After ascending the ramps to Taylor Field’s newly opened upper deck, I emerged from the chute and was instantly awestruck.
Every seat was occupied, even though the home team had a 1-13 record and, by then, the warm summer game days were but a memory.
The Roughriders responded with a robust performance that included a 102-yard interception-return touchdown by Frank Dark, an eight-yard touchdown pass from Danny Sanders to Joey Walters, and four field goals by former Saskatoon Hilltops star Reg Boudreau.
An impassioned address by Robbie also elicited a loud ovation from the fans, most of whom had grabbed the newly manufactured Rider Pride buttons — which had also been distributed at the previous home game — by the handful.
Ever since, Rider Pride has been part of the Saskatchewan football lexicon.
Robbie? He was part of the family to those of us who have always loved the Green and White.
He “became a lifelong Rider fan” after being hired by Leader-Post legend Tom (Scotty) Melville, according to an obituary that was published in the Winnipeg Free Press.
Robbie was nearly 80 when he passed away on Jan. 25, 2014 in Gimli, Man.
His daughter, Patricia Dawn Robertson, now resides in Wakaw. Robbie, I am certain, would love that enduring family tie to Saskatchewan.
With the Rider Pride Day anniversary in mind, I reached out to Patricia the other day and asked for her recollections — which she was more than happy to provide.
“Why does Rider Pride mean so much to John Robertson?” Patricia began. “Dad liked to break the rules. It wasn’t really accepted for sports writers to pick a team since they were schooled in objectivity, but Dad couldn’t help himself. For Dad, the Riders comprise the best of professional sport: Grit, determination and heart.
“Who can’t sit through a game without feeling the same excitement and passion the players display? Although the team struggled this year, Dad would have said: ‘Don’t count them out. They’ll be back next year in strong form. Count on it.’
“As I watched the last game of the season (last) weekend, I was reminded of 1979 and the challenges the team successfully surmounted. Dad’s love of the Riders came flooding back to me. I still have the green velvet home-made Rider shorts he liked to wear to support his team. I treasure them but dare not wear them myself.
“Dad always loved an underdog and any gritty team with come-from-behind determination earned his unwavering respect.
“I think of Saskatchewan’s hockey legend, Pere Murray, whom Dad greatly admired. He frequently cited Murray’s motto: Struggle and emerge.
“Is it etched in the Saskatchewan character? The people here are tough and determined just like their football team.
“The unique thing about John Robertson was that he loved to dole out words of encouragement. ‘You can do it!’ was his favourite rejoinder whenever someone struggled.
“That’s likely why Dad jumped into action in 1979 when he heard the team was in trouble. He saw the franchise’s potential and a bright future and he didn’t want one bad season to determine their fate. Dad’s participation in the 1979 campaign to save the team was a great source of pride.
“I have to admit to bragging myself about Dad’s clever coinage of the term Rider Pride.
It makes this Manitoba girl feel connected to her chosen home province of Saskatchewan.
“After all, everyone wants to be part of the Rider journey. It’s the easiest way to belong to Saskatchewan.
“Thanks to Dad’s legacy, I feel right at home. Besides, you can never go wrong talking sport in my small town.
“As the team retools and reflects on the 2023 season, I hope they take the opportunity to learn from past challenges and take heart.
“The Riders have been in a tough jam before and with the help of their community they will come back from the brink and flourish in 2024. Mark my words.
“Rider Pride is not merely determined by a win-loss record. It’s a life philosophy. Dad understood that professional sport was a gamble, just like life, and that you had to keep your chin up, carry on and prepare mightily for the next challenge.”
ROLL CREDITS …
- Nice people who deserve a plug: Patricia Dawn Robertson, D. Grant Black, Carter Casey, Brent Casey, Jacine Casey, Olivia Casey, George Baran, Sharon Baran, Destiny Kaus, Benoit Desjardins, Kyle Carson, C.J. Reavis, Michael Simonson and, turning 69 on Sunday, Joey Walters.
