James Noble is just like every other 18-year-old boy who worships the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The only difference is he has muscular dystrophy.
Imagine the thrill for the Arcola native, then, when a member of the Riders personally invited him to their muscular dystrophy golf fundraiser last Tuesday.
"Mike McCullough called me up. He said they were having this charity golf tournament and that he wanted me there. I said for sure," recalled Noble.
The call came on Monday night, and the tournament was the next day at Deer Valley in Regina, but that wasn't a problem for James and his family.
He was accompanied by his dad, Allan, and his dad's girlfriend, Brenda Beatty of Estevan.
James' disease has progressed, but he is still able to walk.
Many past and present Riders hung out with him all day. They talked about whatever he wanted to talk about, posed for pictures, signed autographs and made him the centre of attention.
"It was pretty cool. It was a fun time to get to meet all of them," he said.
"When we got there, we drove around in a golf cart and talked to the players, and got some pictures. Afterwards they had a dinner and we met more players."
The experience was made possible by Noble's teacher's aide at Arcola High School, Laurie James, who drives him to school every day.
She e-mailed McCullough, his favourite Rider, and mentioned the tournament. He responded by making the phone call.
Noble came home from the event with some new swag.
Owners of a Regina bar bid on a signed Darian Durant jersey at the live auction, then presented it to him.
McCullough also promised him tickets to the Riders' pre-season game against the Edmonton Eskimos on June 17.
"He's a nice guy," James said of his favourite player.
Other current or former players he met include Chris Getzlaf, Weston Dressler, Jason Clermont, Neal Hughes, Stu Foord, Keith Shologan, Ryan Dinwiddie, Matt Dominguez, Gene Makowsky, Scott Schultz and Roger Aldag.
"Stu Foord really stuck out to me. He's a really nice guy," James said.
He and Dinwiddie talked about college football.
James said Getzlaf was the best golfer from the holes he watched, but they weren't all pros.
"Keith Shologan had some pretty bad shots. He plays football for a reason," James laughed.
On top of all that, he met legendary Riders running back George Reed.
James is hoping his heroes can make another run at the Grey Cup this year.
"We brought in some good coaches. We have awesome players, but if the other guys can step up, we should be able to give it a run for the Cup."
