GEORGE REED RETURNING TO REGINA

Reed's return is Regina's reward

By Rob VanstoneDecember 22, 2008

Regina has missed George Reed for almost a quarter-century. Reed missed Regina as well.
In 1963, for example, Reed bypassed the Queen City en route to his first CFL training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

"Regina wasn't really clearly marked,'' Reed recalled. "Where the overpass (is) on Albert Street now, it used to be a four-way stop. I came to the four-way stop. I guess I had missed the sign saying 'Regina' and if there was a sign, it was a very small sign.

"Of course, I went around and I was in Balgonie when I stopped for gas and I asked the guy how much farther I had to go to get to Regina. He said, 'Well, you've got about 11 miles to go back that way and you'll run into it.' ''
Reed ran into would-be tacklers for the next 13 seasons, amassing 16,116 rushing yards and scoring 137 touchdowns (including 134 along the ground).

His myriad contributions off the field were also legendary. At one point, he was associated with 47 community or charitable groups.
"You just try to help and keep going on,'' Reed said earlier this year during an interview for my soon-to-be-released book on the 1966 Roughriders. "As they say sometimes, if you want somebody to do something, find a person that's busy.''
Somehow, Reed found time for everyone, and every cause. He founded the George Reed Foundation for the Handicapped, and was also the honourary chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Easter Seals, along with being an honorary head coach with Special Olympics.

As well, Reed was the president of the CFL Players' Association -- playing a vital role in the strengthening of that group -- and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. He also found time to serve as president of Massey School's Home and School Association.

Fittingly, Reed was honoured in 1976 when he became the first recipient of the Tom Pate Memorial Award, which recognizes exemplary sportsmanship and community involvement. His great teammate, Ron Lancaster, won the award the following year.

Reed was also recognized in 1978 when he became a member of the Order of Canada -- the country's highest civilian honour. The decoration was especially noteworthy considering that Reed was born in the United States.

He was the superstar who lived next door until March of 1984, when Molson Breweries transferred him to Calgary.

Early in 1992, Reed was among 125 employees cut by Molson, ending an association with the brewery that dated back to 1966. In the mid-1990s, he was hired by McKay Pontiac Buick (now Shaganappi Pontiac Buick GMC) in Calgary and has remained with the dealership into his 69th year.

But that is about to change. Premier Brad Wall announced Friday that George and Angie Reed are returning to Saskatchewan. Beginning in February, the Roughriders icon will be a corporate event host for the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation. He will be especially conspicuous at Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw.

Don't be surprised if Reed also makes his way to Mosaic Stadium -- on which his picture is prominently displayed -- with some frequency.
By George, what wonderful news.