'He was the best of the best': Celebration of life held for Roughriders legend George Reed

“We are so honoured and grateful that we got the chance to come to Saskatchewan,” said Georgette Reed, George’s daughter.

Published Oct 06, 2023 • Last updated 32 minutes ago • 4 minute read

A memorial for former Saskatchewan Roughrider George Reed, including the Grey Cup, sits on a table at the International Trade Centre during a memorial on Friday, October 6, 2023 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post

Dozens dressed in green and white, many wearing No. 34 jerseys, filed into the International Trade Centre in Regina on Friday afternoon to honour former Saskatchewan Roughriders running back George Reed, who died on Sunday at the age of 83.

During the celebration of life held for Reed — the greatest running back in franchise history and man who dedicated years of his time giving back to various charitable organizations — several people who knew him well spoke about the impact Reed had on and off the football field.

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“We are so honoured and grateful that we got the chance to come to Saskatchewan,” said Georgette Reed, George’s daughter. “He was a strong man who had a lot of resiliency, a lot of pride and a lot of grit and determination.

“Not only on the football field but to see things get better. To be better, to do better. And that’s something that he instilled in me. To always try my best, no matter what.

“To never look down on anybody unless you’re lending a hand to help them up.”

Premier of Saskatchewan Scott Moe was the first guest speaker during the ceremony, which was emceed by former board chair of the Roughriders Wayne Morsky.

“George Reed personified everything that is good about Saskatchewan,” said Moe. “People come to our province from everywhere and make it stronger.

“George Reed came to Saskatchewan and he most certainly made our province stronger.”

Following Moe, former premier Brad Wall took to the stage to talk about his memories of George and the legacy he created in the province.

“Important people have their story told in history books,” said Wall. “Legends like George, they have their history books too, but they have something else.

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“They have these generations of kitchen-table conversations about them. They have trivia debates at a local bar about them for decades. They have remembrances in conversations that we have when the commercials are on during football games we’re watching together.

“I believe that happens for people, and it happened for people like George Reed, because of what he did away from the thing that actually made him famous.”

CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie was also in attendance and spoke about the impact Reed had on the Roughriders not just when he played, but still to this day.

“What made George so special is not his place in the CFL record books, those things are there and they will be there forever, but it was about his place in the community that made him so remarkable and so special,” said Ambrosie.

“He was so kind and tireless to countless fans who wanted to meet him. And generous to so many causes that sought him out to have him offer George Reed’s support for what they were trying to do.

“George’s activities in relating to this community and his commitment to this community are the stuff of legend.”

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Others that knew Reed closely, including George Reed Foundation board member Darren Mitchell and former Roughrider Cleveland Vann touched on the legacy Reed left behind with his tireless efforts in the community.

“George was more than a football icon, he was a giant in every sense of the word,” said Vann. “His legacy stretches beyond the confines of the football field, leaving a mark on all of us that had the privilege of knowing him.

“When we think of George Reed, we think of a name synonymous with greatness.”

Former CFL player Cleveland Vann speaks at a memorial for former Saskatchewan Roughrider George Reed is held at International Trade Centre during a memorial for the deceased player on Friday, October 6, 2023 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post

Reed was twice the president of the CFL Players’ Association and worked closely with CFLPA vice president Greg Fieger, who spoke next. Following Fieger was former Riders president Jim Hopson, who became close friends with George and his wife Angie over the years.

“He was so gracious; he spent all kinds of time with the fans,” said Hopson. “He just attracted people. He was humble, he was kind, he was the best of the best.”

Twyla Meredith, former Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation president and CEO, spoke about how she, with the help of many others including Wall, brought George back to Saskatchewan by offering him a job in 2009. Eric Johnson, close friend and owner of Smokin’ Okies BBQ restaurant, a place George would frequent, spoke next before Georgette offered her final thoughts about her father.

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This weekend, the tributes for Reed will continue to pour in as Saturday has been proclaimed George Reed Day by the Saskatchewan government.

Prior to kickoff between the Roughriders and visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, there will be a special pre-game ceremony for Reed. Throughout the game, there will also be acknowledgements of the man who wore No. 34 in the end zone and on the 34-yard line on the home side of the field. ‘Section 34’, where Reed would sit during home games, will be lit green in his honour.

Players will also be wearing decals on their helmets and jerseys, while coaches and staff on the sideline will be wearing “Remembering 34” apparel.

Earlier this week, the Riders also announced the establishment of the George Reed Legacy Fund, which will take on the work of the George Reed Foundation, which was established in 1975, through the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation.

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