Looking back on Saskatchewan Roughriders 50 years after legendary Grey Cup win

Half a century ago, the Saskatchewan Roughriders celebrated a legendary win in the 1966 Grey Cup, and they did it all around regular jobs teaching kids, running gas stations and selling beer.

Wayne Shaw was part of the team that defeated the Ottawa Rough Riders 29-14 on Nov. 26, 1966, when quarterback Ron Lancaster and running back George Reed were household names.

• CFL icon Lancaster dies at 69
• Roughriders' rookie linebacker making an impression

Shaw, astar linebackerwho played 12 seasons with the Green and White, remembers it as the best game of his career.

"It was absolutely wonderful and I guess the best game I ever played and the most satisfying game, because I played in four Grey Cups but playing and losing is not that much fun," he said.

Fifty years later, that group of players is being celebrated at Saturday's home game between the Roughriders and the B.C. Lions at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

A legendary day

Shaw said it was the winning combination of Lancaster, Reed and head coach Eagle Keys that helped the team to victory that day.

Speaking to CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning, Shaw reflected on how the CFL lifestyle has changed since he was on the team.

Different times

Shaw practised every day around shifts at the two gas stations he ran with his brother, working right up until the last minute on game days.

"The day of a game I'd be working up 'til, before the game and then sometimes I'd go work after the game and I'd work more than five days a week, eight hours a day," said Shaw.

"I was fine with all of that, sometimes exacerbated by so-called know-it-all fans who knew more about how to play in my position than I did.

"But because they were customers, I patiently listened to them."

Shaw said Lancaster also worked as a school teacher, and Reed sold beer.

Keeping memories strong

Shaw hopes young people attending this week's Roughriders game in Regina will have already heard about the Grey Cup-winning team through older generations.

"I would hope their grandparents or their parents have taught them," he said.

"Ronny and George were great but there were a lot of other great football players."

Saturday's game kicks off at 5 p.m. CST.Members of the 1966team will be signing autographs at the GoodLife Fan Fest during pre-game, anda special half-time ceremony will be held.