Rider Pride resides inside Winnipeg

11/09/2024 03:56 PM

There is green to be seen in the Manitoba capital.

Saskatchewan-born Winnipeg residents Trevor Buhnai, Bob Antymniuk and Olenka Antymniuk proudly carry their Roughriders colours in what could be referred to as enemy territory.

"I wear some kind of Rider green every day," Bob Antymniuk says leading up to Saturday's CFL Western Final between Saskatchewan and the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"It might be a lapel pin or socks," his wife Olenka adds, "but there is always something green."

Olenka began cheering for the Roughriders while growing up in Nipawin. Bob, who was born in Moose Jaw, attended elementary and high school in Regina before moving to Saskatoon to attend the University of Saskatchewan.

The Anytmniuks, residents of Winnipeg for 45 years, are Roughriders season-ticket members and routinely make the drive to and from Regina to watch their beloved Green and White.

Buhnai can relate.

Born in Regina, he has lived in Winnipeg for all but one year since 1988. He returned to the Queen City in 2021 to become the Chief Operating Officer for the Regina Pats.

Now back in Winnipeg, Buhnai has steadfastly upheld a family tradition by purchasing Roughriders season tickets. His late father, Bill, began the Buhnais' 53-year run by purchasing a full-season package in 1971.

"I was born nine days before the Riders' first Grey Cup win," says Trevor, who arrived on Nov. 17, 1966.

"This year's Grey Cup is on Nov. 17. I can't think of a better birthday present than for the Riders to be there."

Trevor was born one day after the Roughriders won 21-19 at Winnipeg Stadium to advance to the 1966 Grey Cup Game.

"My parents told me I was at the Labour Day game that year," he says with a chuckle.

The Labour Day Classic has long been a must-see for Buhnai, even though he must travel 550 kilometres to be part of the festivities.

"My family is in Regina and there are also the football games, so I look forward to the visits," he says.

"It's never a chore. It's nice to be able to come home and enjoy it all the time."

The same sentiments apply to the routine of following football in Winnipeg.

"I think there's a small but dedicated group of Rider fans here," Buhnai says. "They're in the same boat as me. You can literally replace the geography, but there's the same type of feel.

"If I had to end up anywhere else in my personal or professional life, I'm glad to be in Winnipeg where the fans are passionate about Canadian football and where there are diehard fans."

The Antymniuks can speak to the passion, given some of the responses they receive from Blue Bombers fans.

"You could be wearing Toronto Maple Leafs gear and nobody would say anything," Bob notes, "but if you happen to walk by someone in Winnipeg while wearing green, somebody will usually say something.

"You can't hide from it or be cowardly. If you're loyal, you're loyal. We don't switch."

The Antymniuks have been season-ticket members since 2003 — or, as Olenka puts it, "since the youth had sofas in the end zone" at Taylor Field.

Bob and Olenka, like Buhnai, can't couch their enthusiasm as the Roughriders prepare to play the arch-rival Blue Bombers with a Grey Cup berth at stake.

"By Saturday at 8 o'clock," Bob concludes, "hopefully we'll all be grinning like cheshire cats."