The old joke in Saskatchewan is that the most popular player on the Rough Riders is the backup quarterback. It's starting to feel like that again with Tommy Stevens. The first-year Riders short yardage quarterback spent the last three seasons in Calgary with the Stampeders, where he became almost automatic when it came to converting a yard or less situations into first downs.
In Week 4 against BC, when Stevens' number was called, there was a roar from the crowd which he felt jogging onto the field.
“It was pretty cool. I mean it was still loud in there and you know I just thought the fans really brought it and you know it's been exciting to be here to be you know part of you know the atmosphere that's in here in Mosaic and I've been you know on the other side of it as well so I'm glad that part of the good guys.”
Late in the game, Stevens came on to close out the contest, which also created a buzz inside Mosaic Stadium.
“Yeah I mean it was just kind of a quick thing that happened and you know asked me if I could do it and I was like absolutely; we'd love to get in there and run some plays and try to run this out and I thought we did a pretty good job of it so hopefully we can build off of it.”
The team, just like Rider Nation, has trust in number 17.
“I got trust in them. I love it here, man.”
Stevens and the Rough Riders host the Stampeders Friday night at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium. You can catch all the action on the 620 CKRM Cooperators Rider Broadcast Network starting this afternoon at 4 p.m.
Between the Lines is brought to you by Shepherd Realty and Regina, specializing in farm and ranch real estate in Saskatchewan. Call Harry, Justin, or Devon at 352-1866. And for Bigfoot Vodka, the world's only second-best vodka. Bigfoot Vodka, by the foot.
