REGINA - The province of Saskatchewan has officially announced that October 7, 2023 is proclaimed George Reed Day.
The announcement was made at the legislature Thursday just one day before the memorial service for the Roughriders legend. Oct. 7 coincides with game day at Mosaic Stadium for the Roughriders against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, where Reed will be remembered in pregame ceremonies before the 5 p.m. kickoff.
It also coincides with the 50th anniversary of George Reed Day held in 1973 at the old Taylor Field, in honor of Reed become pro football’s leading rusher.
At the legislature a book of condolence has been set up, which will be moved to Viterra International Trade Centre for the public memorial service Friday afternoon.
Premier Scott Moe made the proclamation along with Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross and Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky at the legislature Thursday. Alongside them was Roughriders CEO Craig Reynolds, as well as Reed’s daughter Georgette Reed.
“Today, George Reed’s province is honouring him once again,” Moe said.
“May we take time this Saturday to remember George’s legacy and to do our very best by him — emulate his generosity, his spirit, his dedication to people, and most notably the people of Saskatchewan.
“Thank you for honouring someone you all knew as George but I knew as Dad,” Georgette said.
“He’s a proud man, he was a great man, and he was most proud of being here in Saskatchewan. 60 years ago he got an offer to come to Saskatchewan to play football. He didn’t even know where Regina was, he drove by it twice. Once he got here, he realized his was a place where he could make so many dreams come true, the dreams of our family, dreams for the Roughriders, and dreams for the province.”
She noted George was part of 47 different charities, and still was able to “come and hang out at our swim meets and do all kinds of other things.”
“He was a wonderful man and I will miss him, our family will miss him greatly…Thank you for honouring him. I’m proud of him. I will miss him, as I know all of you will too.”
“George’s passing has hit all of us at the Roughriders and all of our fans very hard,” said Reynolds. “But the outpouring of support and memories, it amazes us. To have Saturday, October 7 proclaimed George Reed Day exactly 50 years from the last time George received this honor is a major recognition of a life well lived.”
“Wonderful things have been said about a gentleman that we can all refer to as the real deal,” minister Ross said.
Ross said her boys had swam with Georgette Reed at the swim meets and that was where she met George Reed. “He was ‘just call me George.’”
“Someone who was larger than life, someone who was a real gentleman on and off the field. He played hard, played to win, but you know, he was something that really epitomizes what we want to see in all our sports. We want to see people who play fair, play hard, but also respect the game.”
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