Darrell Davis: Riders don’t play along on the banjo

The Banjo Bowl has its own Wikipedia entry. Doesn’t everyone call Saturday’s CFL contest the “Banjo Bowl”? The game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and home-town Winnipeg Blue Bombers will unofficially be the 16th edition. Winnipeg leads 8-7.

You likely won’t hear the Roughriders refer to the “Banjo Bowl.” That has been the team’s policy since former Bombers kicker Troy Westwood described Saskatchewanians as “banjo-pickin’ inbreds.” Westwood insists he was simply teasing his numerous relatives from this province.

The community-owned franchise was appalled, saying it denigrated Riders fans. Danny Barrett, Saskatchewan’s head coach at the time, refused to acknowledge the term. A trophy was made for the winner, but the Roughriders never participated in the presentation. Roughriders defensive tackle Scott Schultz tried a charitable, fundraising project with styrofoam banjos. That was quickly nixed.

Former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall strummed a banjo in a teasing video before one game, which Winnipeg won and caused him to humbly give up playing the instrument.

The Riders may as well embrace it; ignoring it hasn’t worked.