Darrell Davis: Flashback to the ’89 Riders

Everyone says it has been 30 years since The Kick, since Dave Ridgway’s field goal gave the Saskatchewan Roughriders a 43-40 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the memorable 1989 Grey Cup game.

It has also been 30 years since head coach John Gregory steamed whenever anyone stirred up the quarterback controversy between Kent Austin and Tom Burgess. And since Glen Suitor’s end-of-game penalty handed the Roughriders a crushing, mid-season loss to the B.C. Lions, which prompted Gregory to bring in a psychologist, set up a dressing-room stall for the championship trophy, rename the team the 89ers and convince the players to tape their fingers to symbolize the Grey Cup rings they were going to win.

With numerous members of the ’89 Riders visiting Regina and Saskatoon these days, it’s also worth recalling the unexpected playoff victory over the 16-win Edmonton Eskimos, sparked by Eddie Lowe’s hit on Edmonton quarterback Tracy Ham and the ensuing fumble returned for a touchdown by Dave Albright. The offensive line anchored by Roger Aldag, a defensive line featuring Gary Lewis and Bobby Jurasin, the receiving corps of Ray Elgaard, Don Narcisse and Jeff Fairholm and a defensive backfield with Suitor and Richie Hall. Thirty years of memories.