FINAL GREY CUP PHOTOS

I’m still too exhausted to write the Monday Morning Goalie.  It will probably come out on Wednesday but for now, here are some of the best shots of 2013 Grey Cup Week in Regina through my eyes.  However this first one comes from Global Regina’s Kent Morrison who snapped this pic of Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall getting doused with champagne by Rider safety Tyron Brackenridge after the team’s 45-23 win over Hamilton in the Grey Cup.  Carm Carteri joined the party in the background.

Things got rolling Friday morning with the first-ever Breakfast of Champions at the Casino Regina Show Lounge.  I moderated a panel discussion with CFHOF’er Damon Allen (left) and his brother Marcus Allen of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Also on the panel were George Reed, Don Narcisse and Pinball Clemons.  Tickets were only $25!  The event was soldout.

At the urging of the crowd, Narcisse got up and did his famous “Narco Shuffle”.  Initially he didn’t want to, but Marcus Allen said, “Heck, I’d like to see it!”

Next it was over to the CFL Alumni Assocation’s Legend’s Lunch at Queensbury where I performed the MC duties.  In this panel discussion, TSN’s Rod Black fired questions at the CFLAA’s co-recipients of the Man of the Year Award, Carm Carteri and George Reed.

Riderville villain Tony Gabriel was one of 90 CFL alumni on hand but was soundly booed during his introduction.  He relished in it, and posed with fans.

Premier Brad Wall was on hand for the luncheon however, for a million dollars, I couldn’t tell you what we were discussing here.  Thanks to Jeff Armstead for the photo!

Next up it was over to Riderville to broadcast the SportsCage live on 620 CKRM at 4 pm.  It was here things started to get off the rails…

Sportsnet Blue Jays analyst and World Series champ Gregg Zaun stopped by to promote his Saturday Grey Cup Bash and got talked into a beer funnel by fans while on air…

CFL super agents Gil Scott (left) and Tim Fleiszer stopped by the show for a 90 minute appearance…

After that it was off to Crave Kitchen & Wine Bar downtown for the Daytona Homes Grey Cup reception.  I was invited by Daytona’s Terry Canning, and got to meet Sandy, the owner of the whole Daytona Homes operation (pictured).

Don’t know how, but I’ve gotten to be close friends with Ottawa RedBlacks President Jeff Hunt.  He joined the party at Crave and posed for a shot with Chris Milo’s wife Veronique (left), Milo’s mom Pat and their friend Tegan.

Oh yah! Saturday morning’s Safeway Grey Cup Parade!!  It was easily the most challenging task of my career.  It was minus-30 degrees Celsius and all who came out should be commended!  I got to broadcast the event on Access 7 along with Doug Alexander and Gloria Evans.

The Old 96er Scott Schultz provided sideline reports of the parade..

After the parade coverage it was off to MC the Rider Pride luncheon hosted by the Roughriders at the Ramada.  For some reason I have no photos of that.  Then it was a string of Grey Cup parties and receptions including one for Hall of Fame Stampeders broadcaster Mark Stephen at the Tartan Curling Club and Gary Drummond’s Hawgarama at Hotel Saskatchewan.   The night ended with absolute degeneracy at the Gregg Zaun Grey Cup Bash at the Exchange.  I’m sandwiched between Sportsnet’s Jamie Campbell and Zaun in this pic.  Regina real estate magnate Craig Adam is at the bottom of the pic.

On Grey Cup Sunday morning it was off to Rider GM Brendan Taman’s office at 10 am to tape the weekly pregame show interview.  It was here that B.T. watched the Grey Cup game.

The bomb squad sniffed the premises which was spooky, but at least we were safe!

Roughriders national anthem singer Jeff Sawatzky is more than just a pretty voice.  He sent me the above photo of John Chick (from Sawatzky Studios) along with the next four photos of Grey Cup Sunday.   They’re amazing!

Our view of the Rider celebrations from the broadcast booth.  Afterwards it was a low key celebration for me.  More on that in the Wednesday Morning Goalie, if I live that long.

We got a surprise treat in the SportsCage on Monday.  Normally Rider GM Brendan Taman makes his weekly appearance by phone but on this day, he surprised us by bringing the Grey Cup along to the studio with Rider scout Terry Baskier.

Taman made no secret of the fact they brought the trophy down specifically for CKRM’s John Lynch, who was in a frenzy getting his picture taken with the Cup.

SportsCage staff posed for photos with the Cup.  Here is our famous producer Sammy “The Bull” Foster, the owner of the Hype Horn.
__________________________________

WHEW! THAT’S IT FOR NOW.  HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT!
RP
@sportscage