24 HOURS AFTER LOSS

By Mitchell BlairFor Riderville.com

Less than 24 hours after suffering likely the most heartbreaking defeat of their football career, the Saskatchewan Roughriders were back home to face their fans one last time Monday afternoon. Around 15-hundred fans were at Mosaic Stadium to welcome back the football team after Sunday’s heartbreaking 28-27 loss at the hands of the Montreal Alouettes in Sunday’s Grey Cup game. A game the Riders thought they had won after Alouette kicker Damon Duval was wide on a game-winning field goal only to discover they had 13 men on the field giving Duval a second chance that he did not miss.Despite the pain that was still etched on the faces of many of the players, there was also a great sense of optimism. Chairman of the Board of Directors Rob Pletch reminded everyone that the future of the football club is extremely bright and that no other team in the CFL had been in the Grey Cup twice in the last three years like what the Riders have accomplished.

One player who said the reception was somewhat therapeutic was quarterback Darian Durant. “I didn’t expect this,” said Durant when the ceremony was over. “It feels good to see all these fans out here and the support that they showed us. Even in defeat, it just shows why we have the best fans in the league.’’Durant also shared a post-game conversation he had with Anthony Calvillo.

The Rider quarterback saying he told his Montreal counterpart that he has no idea how he could leave the field five times in the Grey Cup knowing he was not on the winning side because it was tough enough leaving the field a loser once.

While some of the players are slowly starting to get over what transpired on the McMahon Stadium turf Sunday night, head coach Ken Miller says it is still going to take a while for him to get over the loss. “I’m not doing all that well, really, to tell you the truth,” said a head coach who is still clearly feeling the effects of Sunday’s devastating loss. It’ll take me a while to bounce back.’’While it might take Miller a while to get over the loss, he remains steadfast that the 2009 edition of the Roughriders was one that was very, very special. “I am tremendously proud of them,” Miller said with a smile. I talk about their character, their leadership, their self-discipline, their self-motivation. I think this group of men typify the word ‘team’ maybe better than any group I’ve been around.’’