MASSIVE FALLOUT FROM LABOUR DAY CLASSIC 2017

This doesn’t come off looking very good for Winnipeg.

In the aftermath of Sunday’s 38-24 Saskatchewan win over Winnipeg in Labour Day Classic LIV at Mosaic Stadium, there are at least two separate incidents of lewd behavior by Blue Bombers fans.

Rider receiver Duron Carter has gone on a Twitter tirade accusing a Blue Bomber fan of spitting on him after his second quarter touchdown in the south endzone.

Carter went to celebrate with Rider fans situated in the front row of Pil Country and then – let’s be honest – he taunted Winnipeg fans in the southwest corner of the stadium. That’s when the heinous act allegedly occurred.

Carter said the “spitter” was wearing blue & gold facepaint.

And then, in a separate incident, a grainy photo appears to show a Winnipeg fan reaching out to contact beloved Roughriders mascot Gainer The Gopher as he passed by in the Gainer Mobile after a Saskatchewan touchdown in the same endzone.

It’s not clear if the Bomber fan was trying to strike Gainer, rip off the head of his uniform, or pull him out of his cart. Either way, it was a disturbing act of violence.

Responding via text message on Monday, Gainer The Gopher said he’s unable to comment on the situation publicly due to club policy. However he did seem shaken by the incident.

A Roughriders team spokesman said on Monday that, as of now, the club is not investigating the incident nor pursuing criminal charges.

In an interview with CBC on Monday, reporter Alicia Bridges asked me if I’d like to see assault charges brought against the perpetrators if they are identified. My response was “Absolutely”.

The Roughriders will visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Banjo Bowl on Saturday at Investors Group Field in a 1:00 pm Sask Time kickoff on TSN and the 620 CKRM Roughriders Radio Network.

RP
@rodpedersen