Relief and elation for the ’13th Man’ as Riders win 5th Grey Cup

A massive gathering of Roughrider fans flooded Albert Street Sunday night, celebrating the team's victory at the Grey Cup.

It was a rollercoaster of emotions for Riders fans inside the Italian Club on Sunday night as they cheered on the Green and White in the 112th Grey Cup.

After taking a comfortable 25-7 lead in the third quarter, one might think Saskatchewan fans could breathe a sigh of relief. In classic Green and White fashion, that relief was short lived.

Ten straight points by the Montreal Alouettes and a missed field goal by Brett Lauther in the final minutes left the door open for one final drive for the Alouettes.

But when Davis Alexander’s last second Hail Mary attempt fell to the Princess Auto Stadium turf in Winnipeg to seal Saskatchewan’s 25-17 victory, the room erupted in cheers of elation for the Rider’s first Grey Cup win in over a decade.

“Feels great man, oh my God, 12 years running since 2013. We won baby! Woohoo,” said Ryan Gibson.

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And supporters like Kevin Meyer, getting a taste of revenge against Montreal made the victory a bit sweeter.

“I still remember ’09 and ’10 when we lost to Montreal. I was in Edmonton for that one and they were painful losses, so didn’t want to lose to them again.”

There would be no painful loss on Sunday though, only happiness, as fans from across the Queen City took to the Green Mile at the intersection of Albert Street and Victoria Avenue to celebrate as one.

Many fans took in how much has changed in their lives since the Riders last won a Grey Cup in 2013.

One father of two said, “The last time we won the Grey Cup he wasn’t even born yet, my other son was two years old, and he got to hold the Grey Cup. So definitely a full circle moment, we’re back here on the Green Mile, right.”

Another fan mentioned being a child the last time Saskatchewan hoisted the Cup.

“Last time they won the Cup I was like nine years old so it’s crazy to see when I’m grown up, it’s awesome. This is one that I’ll fully remember, and I’ll have that experience with me for the rest of my life, and I got to experience it with the boys.”

Experiencing the heights of a championship win with friends was certainly a theme of the night.

Another young Riders fan flanked by two of his compatriots told CTV News that their faith never wavered in the team to bring home the Cup.

“We trusted in our guys like Trevor Harris and Corey Mace, we had trust in our boys, and they got it done!”

The Riders will be welcomed back to Mosaic Stadium with the Grey Cup in tow on Monday afternoon, and on Tuesday a Grey Cup Parade is planned down the famed ‘Green Mile.’