Growing up on Muscowpetung First Nation, Keith Pratt dreamed of becoming a regular attendee at Saskatchewan Roughriders home games.
He has accomplished that goal — with a flourish.
Pratt, 66, is typically found at Mosaic Stadium in the company of eight of his favourite people.
A season-ticket holder since 1993, he now owns nine seats.
Pratt and his wife, Lisa, delight in watching their favourite football team with any seven of their nine grandchildren.
“We’ve made it into a family event,” Keith says, proudly.
The Roughriders’ 2023 regular-season finale was especially eventful for the Pratts.
As part of the program on Fan Appreciation Day, Keith became the latest recipient of the team’s 13th Fan Award.
“To me, I just go to football games,” he says. “I didn’t really expect it.
“I’m very thankful and grateful.”
The 13th Fan Award was established in 2021, when Ron Taylor and Connie Dobson were the inaugural recipients. Doug Cronin was the 2022 winner.
It was Pratt’s turn on Oct. 21, when the Roughriders played host to the Toronto Argonauts.
“Keith exemplifies what it means to be a part of Rider Nation,” says Jenn Senger, the Roughriders’ Director, Ticket Operations and Sales.
“His love for his family, to which he introduces the Saskatchewan Roughriders at an early age, his work in the community, and his pride for our province all add up to him being the perfect recipient of this very special honour.
“In simply living his life, Keith serves as an inspiration to all Rider fans, and we are so lucky to have him as one of our fans.”
Pratt feels very lucky to be from Muscowpetung First Nation, where he still resides.
As far back as he can recall, his parents instilled in him the importance of hard work and a family-first mindset.
His childhood did not include the type of amenities that are so easy to take for granted. He and his siblings grew up without electricity or running water. On many a day, he had to cut firewood to help his family stay warm.
“I remember my dad had this little transistor radio,” Pratt recalls. “I’d listen to Riders games and I still distinctly remember George Reed.
“When I went to school in Edenwold, we would pretend to be Roughriders players, like George Reed or Gordie Barwell, or we’d try to kick like Jack Abendschan.
“I always remember coming into town with my older brother. One time, I must have been eight or nine years old, and he drove around Taylor Field. I remember the lights and the people. It was such a big thing.”
When Pratt was growing up, legendary CFL referee Paul Dojack was often an unmistakeable presence at Taylor Field.
Pratt was employed at the Paul Dojack Youth Centre (previously the Saskatchewan Boys’ School) for 28 years, including time spent as acting director and unit supervisor.
For the following seven years, Pratt was the director of the Echo Valley Youth Centre.
Now into his mid-60s, Pratt isn’t inclined to retire. For eight years, he has been the Emergency Preparedness Manager for the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council.
Fundamental to it all, though, are the roles of husband, father and grandfather.
“My wife has had a big impact on the Riders tickets,” Pratt says. “If your spouse isn’t interested, it’s not as fun. She has loved going to the games since the ’90s and she still loves it.”
Keith and Lisa Pratt are the proud parents of
Jasmine, Thomas and Brittany. Thanks to the gift of grandparenthood, Roughriders-themed presents are routinely dispensed.
“Every grandkid has a Rider jersey or two,” Keith says. “The oldest one, Kaylee, was kind of the spoiled one. She must have about 10 jerseys, right from when she was small. Some of them are autographed and some of them don’t fit her anymore.
“This is something I never had an opportunity to enjoy as a young person. We want to pass that on to our grandchildren … and to their grandchildren.”
