Green-clad players will fan out over the Mosaic Stadium concourse on Saturday.
It is all part of Rider Fan Day — an annual prelude to the Labour Day Classic.
Saskatchewan Roughriders supporters are invited to watch Saturday morning’s practice, which is scheduled for 10:30 to 11:15, from the west-side stands.
Beginning at 11:30 a.m., a team autograph session will be held on the west concourse.
It is an extra hour out of the players’ schedule on an already busy weekend, but nary a complaint has been audible.
“You don’t want to complain about having a full plate when, at one time, you were starving to be here,” Head Coach Corey Mace said.
“Be where your feet are. This is where you wanted to be as a young buck. Embrace that but, at the same time, there’s a healthy balance.
“Get together with the guys off the field when it has nothing to do with football. But when we’re here in the building and everything else and you’re on the film, just remember where you were years ago, just dreaming of being in this position.”
Those words resonate with receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker as the fourth-year fan favourite prepares to sign autographs, pose for photographs and amicably engage with the public.
“It’s truly a blessing and something you don’t ever want to take for granted,” he said. “I used to dream of things like that when I was a little kid — having people walk around with my jersey on.
“Getting to see that come to life puts things in perspective and always makes you remember your ‘why’ and makes you always be grateful for what you’ve got.”
That holds true even if you get writer’s cramp after signing hundreds of autographs.
“It is always a long lineup,” Schaffer-Baker said. “The wrist is always tired after a day of that, but there’s just so much joy, getting to see everyone smiling and having a good time.
“They’re thrilled beyond what we can even expect, just by taking a picture and sharing a few laughs with them.”
As Schaffer-Baker has discovered, the casual conversations can veer in almost any direction.
“I think I’ve heard it all — good, bad, ugly, sweet, beautiful,” the Roughriders’ No. 89 said with a laugh.
“They show their thanks and their appreciation for what we do, which just makes our job so much easier, just being able to come out here every single day and work our tails off.
“We know that Rider Nation is always supporting us and behind us. At the end of the day, we just want to give them a win every week.”
A victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday (5 p.m., Mosaic Stadium) would improve the Roughriders’ record to 6-5-1 and enable them to remain atop the CFL’s West Division.
Thirty-one hours before kickoff, Gate 1 (located on the southwest corner of Mosaic Stadium) will open Saturday at 10 a.m.
Fans, who will be admitted free of charge, will be invited to watch practice.
When the autograph session commences, fans will also be invited to visit the field. The playing surface can be accessed via the stairs in Pil Country, located on the stadium’s south side.
On the field, the family zone will include inflatables, a face-painting station and balloon artists.
There will also be an opportunity to appear on the SaskTel MaxTron.
Fans are invited to visit Harvard Media’s Studio 620 Lounge early Saturday afternoon — between 12:15 and 1:15 — and demonstrate their Rider Pride to videographers. Some of the images will be shown on the giant video board during Sunday’s game.
The Family Day event, hosted by Mark Johnston and Sabeen Ahmad, will showcase the 620 CKRM Rider Pep Band, Gainer the Gopher and the 620 CKRM Rider Cheer Team.
Food and beverages will be available at Western Pizza, a long-time partner of the Roughriders, on the west-side concourse until the event wraps up at 2 p.m.
“It’s a great day to be there and celebrate with the fans and honour all the support that they give us throughout the year,” Schaffer-Baker said.
“It’s another step in showing our gratitude and our thanks towards them for supporting us.”
