Wes Cates stepped off the airplane yesterday with a huge smile on his face, almost like he was happy to be home.
In a way, it is true.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders running back spent the 2006 season and '07 training camp with the Calgary Stampeders before getting traded to their cross-border rivals.
He has plenty of old friends looking to see him this week before Sunday's Grey Cup, but the veteran will likely try to take it easy.
He has plenty of old friends looking to see him this week before Sunday's Grey Cup, but the veteran will likely try to take it easy.
The entire city is going to be overrun with Riders fans, and the players will have a high profile.
"Cowtown is a great town," Cates said.
"Cowtown is a great town," Cates said.
"To be in the Grey Cup here is obviously the goal of every player in the league.
"We have a whole week to enjoy the city, but we will work hard and get ready to win this game."
Being that this is Cates's second Grey Cup appearance -- he has a ring from the 2007 Riders' win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Toronto -- the 30-year-old doesn't plan on seeing everything Calgary has to offer over the next four days and nights.
"We have a whole week to enjoy the city, but we will work hard and get ready to win this game."
Being that this is Cates's second Grey Cup appearance -- he has a ring from the 2007 Riders' win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Toronto -- the 30-year-old doesn't plan on seeing everything Calgary has to offer over the next four days and nights.
"Personally, I'm going to kick back and relax," Cates said. "I'm not too busy of a guy in that respect.
"For the most part, our players are going to get their rest.
"For the most part, our players are going to get their rest.
"Everybody's going to enjoy this because this is a special event. You don't want to sit in the room the whole day.
"There's some young guys on the team experiencing this for the first time.
"I'm sure they will be anxious looking out the hotel window and they will want to venture out a little bit.
"The old guys on this team will stay in to be ready to play."
"The old guys on this team will stay in to be ready to play."
Being that Cates helped eliminate his former club in the West final, this trip could be special.
After the Riders beat the Stamps 27-17 Sunday, Cates couldn't bear to kick the rival when it was down.
In fact, the product of California University of Pennsylvania still feels a debt of gratitude towards the Stamps.
After the Riders beat the Stamps 27-17 Sunday, Cates couldn't bear to kick the rival when it was down.
In fact, the product of California University of Pennsylvania still feels a debt of gratitude towards the Stamps.
"That's the place where I started, and it has a special place in my heart," Cates said.
"That's where I got my start, and I wouldn't be here without Calgary. It's a blessing to be back.
"That's where I got my start, and I wouldn't be here without Calgary. It's a blessing to be back.
"I'm happy to be back here and fight for the West and get another Grey Cup."
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