The weather wasn’t great, and the outcome was even worse on Friday night as the Riders continued their losing streak.
The Riders lost 27-24 to the B.C. Lions, slipping to a record of 0-4.
With the team’s defense buckling and even more players getting inured, it was more of the same old for Rider fans. At least the Riders didn’t give up the lead late in the game, though, they were never actually in the lead. Regardless, it was something new.
For Egon Quirino, Friday night was something new. Quirino is from Recife, Brazil – a city of 1.5 million. Going to the showdown between the B.C. Lions and the Saskatchewan Roughriders was his first CFL game.
“I think, like, Roughriders nation they are really united, and it’s like the whole city. It’s not like my city. We have three big teams so people are divided,” said Quirino.
Racife has three major soccer teams, which makes it easier for fans to travel and support their team at away games.
“Everyone there was basically (a) Roughrider fan,” said Quirino, who is used to an even split of home and away fans.
Quirino first started watching the Riders as an exchange student in 2013.
“Since the Grey Cup I liked them so much. So I bought my jersey and was like ‘OK, I like them.'”
Quirino has since become a permanent resident of Canada, got married, and is looking forward to watching future Rider games.
ASalloum@rawlco.com
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