Paige Hansen and her mother Michelle, both of Sturgis, and her aunt Alisa Worobetz of Saskatoon have been Saskatchewan Roughrider fans for five years and have showed their support at each home game.
The Saskatchewan home game against the Toronto Argonauts on July 29 was a special game for the duo when Duron Carter of the Roughriders handed Paige the touchdown football that tied the game 17-17.
“I was so excited, thrilled and shocked that he ran over after he made the great catch in the end zone to hand me the football," said Paige.
The trio have season tickets with front row seats and at each home game they feature a sign banner with different themes. Prior to the game in the Riders’ warm-up practice, Carter had gone over to talk and visit with the trio.
"He had mentioned that he was going to score a touchdown and celebrate in front of us but never made any mention of handing my daughter that football during the game," said Michelle Hansen.
For the July 29 game the fans made a banner featuring the three American presidents, Roosevelt, Grant and Carter with acknowledgement to the Riders.
Being football fans has been a passion for them as football was their happy place after dealing with Paige having been diagnosed with cancer at the age of 18 months, Michelle said. "It was a long three-year battle but we overcame it and filled the bad memories with great football memories."
After making the touchdown Carter handed Hansen the ball
Carter ran over to hand Paige the football right after he made the touchdown catch. After the game he posed for a picture with her and signed the football for her.
The trio met with Glen Sutter for supper at the Memories Fine Dining and he acknowledged that Paige had the special football that Carter handed her during the game.
"We are fans who support the Riders when they lose or win," said Michelle. "We were very honoured that Carter gave Paige the ball and we look at this way, we are looking after that ball until Carter wants it back.”
The riders went on to win that game 38 to 27 against Toronto.
