For Saskatchewan you could have said Roger Aldag. I know when I hear Roger Aldag, Saskatchewan Roughriders is the first thing that pops into my head.
And Polecat, Bob Poley too. Those two always go hand in hand for me.
I also could include Gene Makowsky (I still wear a #60 jersey because he was my fave). Nothing fancy in his approach. Just work hard. Youngest daughter was a Keith Shologan fan for the same reasons (and because of his personal family story).
I mentioned my Bob Wylie/and my son story earlier but my favourite Rider encounter was with my oldest daughter. She is 26 yo today. She had a George Reed 34 jersey (and no clue who he was, but she sure had great taste in Rider jerseys!). We are walking around the outside area by the entrances to Taylor Field one gameday and on cue, is Mr Reed, sitting by himself on the edge of a concrete planter. Only in the CFL could he sit there and have people just respect his space. After watching a few people respectfully interact with him, I asked my daughter is she wanted to quickly meet the man who made her jersey and number famous. She said yes, probably not understanding what that really meant.
To this day the interaction and time that a CFL legend gave a star struck fan and his daughter, is something I will always cherish. I may have well been meeting an old neighbour from my childhood days. He was approachable, wanting to reminisce, learn about the things she was doing for sports and hobbies and her schooling. He was a gentleman, an icon and a humble human being, all in one. I dont get maudlin when sports figures pass, it’s life and it happens, but I cried when Mr Reed passed a few years ago. He was a unique, brave man who made this country his home.
