ROBSERVATIONS: A treasured Christmas memory … Dr. Valentine gets to the heart of the matter … thanks to Sebastian and John … and Merry Christmas!
Yesterday at 03:16 PM
It was truly the Christmas of '17.
On Dec. 25, 2017, I had the pleasure of presenting my wife Chryssoula, who has requested anonymity, with a Saskatchewan Roughriders jersey being the surname and number (17) of Joey Walters.
Chryssoula, who grew up in Toronto, never saw Joey play. Until an ill-fated first date with an out-of-his-league scribe, Chryssoula had never heard of the most spectacular receiver in Roughriders history. She hasn't stopped hearing about him for 27½ years.
Six minutes into the Chryssoula-Rob relationship, I blew the (cough!) dust off a VHS tape — yeah, it has been a while — and treated her to a treasury of Joey Walters highlights.
This is under-rated, I assure you, as a key component of a successful wooing strategy.
Fast forward to 2013. Chryssoula was introduced to No. 17, live and in person, when we visited Joey, Patricia and Leo Walters in Orlando, Fla.
My all-world wife and an all-world receiver hit it off instantly.
Chryssoula instantly understood why I am always raving about Joey — like now, for example.
That brings us to Christmas Day, 2017. We were a few weeks away from departing for a cruise (point of embarkment: Miami) and, as part of the journey, we planned to spend a few days in Orlando.
Hence the purchase of the Walters jersey, which he personally and personably signed for Chryssoula early in 2018.
The jersey still ranks as one of my all-time favourite Christmas presents, due to the player being honoured and the priceless reaction of the recipient.
Every holiday season, shared with friends and loved ones, should be as joyous.
NICKNAME UPDATE
Recently on Riderville.com, I did a deep dive into the history of our team's nickname.
Dr. John Valentine dug even deeper.
He recently sent me an excerpt from the Sept. 29, 1890 edition of the Manitoba Free Press. Referenced on Page 8 were looming rugby and cricket matches between the Regina-based North West Mounted Police (now the RCMP) and Winnipeg.
The article was headlined THE ROUGH RIDERS.
"I think this supports the idea that the name came from the NWMP breaking horses," Dr. Valentine noted.
The matches, played on Oct. 2 and 3, 1890 in Winnipeg, occurred 20 years before the establishment of the Regina Rugby Club.
Dr. Valentine was quick to acknowledge and commend Chris Sinclair (@Stats_Junkie on X/Twitter) and his "great work" in uncovering details about the Winnipeg-RCMP matchups.
According to Tom Fuzesy — an esteemed researcher in his own right — the first reference to the local gridders as "the Roughriders" in the Regina Leader-Post dates back to 1912. However, the moniker was not universally adopted until 1924.
Another note from Dr. Valentine: "There was also a Calgary Rough Riders that played in 1911. They didn't win a game and soon disappeared."
That was the word from someone whose responsibilities at MacEwan University include teaching courses on the history of sport in Canada.
Where do I sign up?!
THANKS TO SEBASTIAN
What a great pleasure it has been to work alongside and get to know Sebastian Soltes, who debuted as the Roughriders' Media Relations Co-ordinator shortly before training camp.
It seems like mere minutes ago that I met Sebastian in the Piffles Taylor Boardroom during his introductory visit to Mosaic Stadium.
I instantly realized why Director of Communications Arielle Zerr was so impressed by Sebastian's application, to the extent that he was offered a contract position.
His passion and enthusiasm, evident from the outset, were demonstrated throughout his tenure with the team.
Sebastian is returning home to Calgary to resume his studies at Mount Royal University, where he is majoring in public relations.
An amazing career is ahead for this exemplary young man, whose progression we will all follow with interest and admiration.
AND THANK YOU, JOHN!
John Phillips, our Technology Lead and Data Systems Specialist, had perhaps 10 minutes remaining in his shift on Friday before embarking on a family-oriented Christmas vacation with his wife, Jenna.
Everything was proceeding nicely until I approached John's desk and, as I am wont to do, attempted to ruin everything.
My laptop is being repaired at a local service centre. My lifeline to the world was supposed to be ready on Friday.
Then came the complications.
It is now next-week country.
Eek!
"John," I said with all due contrition, "I have a crisis."
Demonstrating remarkable composure, John replied: "No problem. We have a backup."
John quickly found a spare computer, whereupon he walked me through the process of making the new laptop functional for an old writer.
So here I sit, impossibly giddy over being able to write once more, filled with gratitude.
It has been said many times, many ways, in this space, but it bears reiteration: I am privileged beyond belief and description to work for a wonderful organization that employs the finest, nicest people.
From all of us to you, Merry Christmas!
ROLL CREDITS …
• Nice people who deserve a plug: Sebastian Soltes, John Phillips, Arielle Zerr, Cindy Zerr, Barry Zerr, Noah Zerr, Craig Reynolds, Josh MacNeil, Jessica Gelowsky, Thomas Judek, Joey Walters (naturally), Patricia Walters, Leo Walters, Ken Schneider, Barry Taman, Dr. John Valentine, Tom Fuzesy, Chris Sinclair, Claire Dore, Bella Adams, Peter Godber and, to an old friend from high school, Santa Claus.
