‘Special opportunity’: Regina’s Mitch Picton to suit up for Riders in Grey Cup

Before playing in his first Grey Cup, Mitch Picton thought about all the sacrifices people had to make so he could chase his dream of playing pro football.

“I think about family making sacrifices for us. They are always there and have been all over the country to come watch me play football,” said an emotional Picton. “My parents, my brother, my wife — they are all very special to me.

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“It’s going to be cool. There’s going to be a lot of Picton jerseys — a lot of 81 out there in the stands tomorrow and it is something I am very excited for and thankful for.”

The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ wide receiver comes onto the roster due to injuries to KeeSean Johnson (knee) and Joe Robustelli (head). He is listed as a backup behind Ajou Ajou.

“It’s exciting. This is a big game and you want to be a part of it. It was an exciting week and I feel like I have been working hard. Just the way the cards fall every week, you never really know (if you’ll play),” Picton said.

“We have such a deep receiver room and we are confident in each and every one of those guys. To be up this week and in this game means a lot but not trying to make it more than just another football game. I will go out there and execute at a very high level and that’s what we are going to do.”

His cousin, former University of Regina Rams quarterback standout Noah Picton, will be one of those after seeing the team’s depth chart for the 112th Grey Cup.

“He saw the depth chart this morning and he texted me and said, ‘I’m hitting the Highway 1 tomorrow,'” Picton said. “Noah’s going to be here.”

Picton is from Regina and played for the Rams — something he said he and Noah always dreamed of doing.

“Growing up, we idolized the Rams,” Picton said.

“We grew up playing a lot of ball and it was we always couldn’t wait to wear the horns. To have the opportunity to do that and play together was super cool. Growing up in Saskatchewan, the Riders is the biggest deal.”

After a standout career there, he was taken in the fifth round (37th overall) by the Riders in the 2017 CFL draft. He has been a reliable option for the Riders whenever called upon, catching 96 passes for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns in his career.

“This was something we had dreamed about and talked about for a very long time.”

Now he will look to bring just the fifth Grey Cup in Riders history to the Queen City.

“To have the opportunity to do that is very special. Looking back on my journey, this has just been the goal the entire time. It’s for our teammates — we have worked so hard to give ourselves this opportunity and now it’s time to get out there and finish the job and bring the cup back to Saskatchewan,” Picton said.

Kickoff for the game against the Montreal Alouettes is set for 5 p.m. on Sunday.

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