As the Saskatchewan Roughriders chase a second straight Grey Cup championship in 2026, it’s hard not to look back at another title run that helped shape modern Riderville.
As the Saskatchewan Roughriders chase a second straight Grey Cup championship in 2026, it’s hard not to look back at another title run that helped shape modern Riderville.
Twenty years ago, the Roughriders began laying the foundation for their 2007 Grey Cup championship when they selected quarterback Kerry Joseph in the Ottawa dispersal draft ahead of the 2006 season.
Recently appearing on Green and White Greats, Joseph reflected on the belief that existed inside the locker room during that memorable championship campaign.
“We just believed every single game, every single drive, that this was ours to make,” Joseph said.
That confidence was tested repeatedly throughout the season, including the famous comeback victory over Edmonton in the 2007 Blackout Game and the unforgettable finish to the Labour Day Classic against Winnipeg.
“We didn’t have any doubts,” Joseph recalled. “People said, ‘Man, I can’t believe it was a quarterback draw.’ No, it wasn’t. I was actually supposed to send the ball to the field for the winning kick, but I had the confidence to see what I saw, and I just went for it.”
The quarterback’s decision resulted in one of the most iconic plays in franchise history and perfectly captured the mindset of that Riders team.
“That’s who we were in 2007,” Joseph said. “We just believed that this was our time to win it.”
While the Labour Day run remains one of the most memorable moments of Joseph’s career, another play immediately comes to mind when he thinks back to the 2007 Grey Cup victory over Winnipeg. Joseph admitted the Blue Bombers’ defensive approach created challenges for Saskatchewan’s passing attack throughout the championship game, but one play changed everything.
“I remember the play to Andy Fantuz, the big catch and him with the run after the catch to get the ball into the end zone,” Joseph said. “When I think about the Grey Cup, outside of the defence and J.J. getting those three interceptions, I think about how big that play was.”
The “J.J.” Joseph referenced was defensive back James Johnson, who intercepted three passes in Saskatchewan’s 23-19 Grey Cup victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Joseph was featured on Green and White Greats, which airs during the Countdown to Kickoff pregame show on the Rider Broadcast Network.
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