The CFL season just started over the weekend and guess what happened over at the Yorkton Co-op?
For about an hour or so, seven of us waiting up top in the meeting room, waiting for a certain Roughrider to show up.
Outside the Co-op, there were many more people lined up, waiting for that same Roughrider to arrive from a long road trip from Regina. A text message was received at the Co-op letting everyone know he was on his way to Yorkton at 2:07 p.m.
Part of Weston Dressler's long weekend plans were to head down to Hamilton where he helped kick the crap out of the Tiger-Cats, then apparently get some practice time in on the National Holiday.
From there, it was get into a little car and head for Y-town where he would be mobbed by a whole bunch of crazy fans standing outside in 30 degree heat.
He was in Yorkton to help promote his latest grocery item, Weston Undressed potato chips, says Yorkton Co-op store manager Bruce Thurston.
Dressler was making the appearance just after his team recorded their first victory of the 2012 season, dumping the Tiger-Cats to a tune of 43-16. It was a special game for Dressler who put up a pair of touchdowns, and also marked the first time he's ever seen former teammate Andy Fantuz in a different CFL jersey.
"Really, to be honest, I didn't think about it," offers Dressler who said he did speak with Fantuz the night before the meeting at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
"It was a good team win. We wanted to start out the season fast. We always expect big things."
The Riders lost a few players in the offseason asides from Fantuz, including kicker Luca Congi, who also found a new home in Steeltown.
Quarterback Darian Durant, through reports printed in the Regina Leader-Post, apparently has the same 'gunslinger' mentality which helped him and the team reach the Grey Cup in back-to-back years, has the team thinking good things following last year's travesty.
"The excitement (is back)," offers Dressler following an autograph signing that lasted two hours. He's been spending a lot of time in Yorkton recently, including playing in the Rider Prider hockey challenge in January and appearing at Football Night in Saskatchewan in 2010, said he appreciates the fan support he gets here.
"It's not my first time in Yorkton," he says laughing. "Every time I come here, it's amazingthe fan support."
Thurston said the Co-op has a strong relationship with the CFL club and noted that the company has "exclusive" rights to acquiring players for various appearances.
"It's our marketing department. The Co-op has a very strong relationship with the Riders.
As well, everything marked with the Rider logo goes to support a very worthy cause, he added.
"Everything we sell, proceeds from anything goes to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan."
As for the masses of people that came out that likely contributed in some way or another to that cause?
"I have to guess 1,000," estimates Thurston.
Dressler was at the Co-op to promote 'Weston Undressed' potato chips.
Last year, it was the 'Weston Alldressed' that was on display.
The Co-op is developing a bit of a list of food items that will likely bring a smile, they've included Fantuz Flakes and Darian's Darios.
Thurston said that Yorkton Minor Football helped in a big way by providing a BBQ for those in the lineup to see Dressler.
If there's anything you'd like to see covered by Game 7, please forward your suggestions to the Yorkton This Week sportsdesk by phone (306) 782-2465, or email jeff@yorkton this week.com.
