Jim Hopson remembers ‘remarkable’ teammate George Reed

Jim Hopson remembers time with his friend and teammate George Reed fondly over the years. 

George Reed passed away on Sunday, just one day shy of his 84 birthday. He is remembered as a talented running back with the Saskatchewan Roughriders who brought home the first Grey Cup in 1966.

Hopson joined the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Tuesday to say Reed was a “remarkable man.” He doesn’t know if there will ever be anyone like him again. 

“He’s George Reed, you just think that he is indestructible,” said Hopson. “You just think that he is going to go on forever. It was quite a shock, we took it hard.” 

Fans and staff alike loved Reed, according to Hopson. He remembers his humour and friendliness.

Hopson was the Saskatchewan Roughrider’s President and CEO from 2005-2014. He was also a former Roughrider player and teammate of George Reed. 

When Hopson arrived for practise with the Roughriders in 1973, a senior Reed had nicknames for him. 

“We’d be out and he’d say ‘Rookie, get me a beer.’ Of course I’d say “yes, Mr. Reed,” said Hopson with a laugh. 

The pair maintained a close relationship over the years. Reed and his wife Angie would visit at the lake, celebrating Canada Day weekend together this year. 

Sometimes Reed would participate in parades with Hopson — but one year almost ended in disaster. 

“We were going up the hill in my truck, and he was sitting in a lawn chair, and the lawn chair tipped over. I thought ‘Oh my god, George better not be hurt,’ ” Hopson said. “But he bounced back up and was ready to go.”

Saskatchewan Roughriders great George Reed addresses the crowd following the last ever game at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Taylor

Hopson’s battle with cancer

Hopson learned of Reed’s death while dealing with his own health struggles. 

Hopson has been battling stage four colon cancer for two and a half years. So far, he’s had 46 chemotherapy treatments and two surgeries. When the cancer did not respond to chemotherapy, he switched to a pill that took a toll on him after a few weeks. 

“It just really knocked me down, and that’s how I ended up in the hospital,” said Hopson. 

On Tuesday morning while he spoke to Greg, he said he was feeling better.

“We got through it, and (I’m) starting to feel pretty good again,” said Hopson. 

Hopson encourages people to get tested early for cancer. 

“It’s onwards and upwards, and I hope I’m still here next year for another season,” said Hopson.