Riders are More Entertaining Off the Field Than On
Let’s go back 20 odd years ago when I was terrorizing Prince Albert and deciding to cast my eye to what havoc I could wreak provincially.
Former Herald Sports Reporter, Ron New, introduced me to the concept of getting a press pass and I saw an opportunity to realize a childhood dream of covering the Saskatchewan Roughriders. I would have to make the four hour drive to Regina, spend three hours for the game, maybe another hour or so with interviews, then four hours back and a quick hour to write up a story or column.
Just after I started amusing the Rider media office with requests for press credentials, Don Matthews was named coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders succeeding John Gregory who couldn’t overcome an injury to Kent Austin to keep the Riders in playoff contention.
Matthews was a mercenary with a reputation for being a winner and he brought what he called “Living on the Edge” to the Rider Nation. Years later when it came out Matthews was suffering from an anxiety order, it made sense of some of the go for broke decisions that at the time, didn’t make sense.