Redblacks' Grey Cup journey ends 34-year wait for football fans, sports journalists alike

CBC Ottawa's Dan Seguin checks in from Winnipeg, where the Redblacks take on Edmonton in Sunday's Grey Cup showdown.

However Sunday's Grey Cup turns out, just witnessing Ottawa's triumphant season has been 'a treat in itself'

Dan Seguin · CBC News · Posted: Nov 27, 2015 3:38 PM EST | Last Updated: November 27, 2015

Top: Edmonton Eskimos kicker Dave Cutler boots the game-winning field goal as Ottawa Rough Riders' Jon Sutton tries to block during the dying seconds of the Grey Cup game in Montreal, Nov. 22, 1981. Bottom: Ottawa Redblacks defensive back Abdul Kanneh touches the Eastern division trophy as teammates look on after defeating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL Eastern division final Sunday November 22, 2015 in Ottawa. (Canadian Press)

You've heard the old adage, "Don't take this opportunity for granted, it may never come around again?" Well it goes for journalists as well as athletes.

A long time ago in my rookie year in the business, the Ottawa Rough Riders made it to the Grey Cup final in Montreal.

As the junior reporter on the sports team I stayed back and anchored the sportscast that fateful day, but I figured, "Hey! I'll get plenty more chances to get there."

Well, a mere 34 years later, here I am and I couldn't be more thrilled. Truth is both games have some similarities.

Ottawa vs. Edmonton, Eskimos a prohibitive favourite. Let's just hope this Sunday's game is as exciting!

Ottawa vs. Edmonton, 1981 vs. 2015

In 1981, the 21-point underdog Riders built up a 20-1 halftime lead only to fade down the stretch, losing a heartbreaker 26-23.

J.C. Watts, with the help of Tony Gabriel, took a 5-11 team and almost engineered one of the biggest upsets in league history.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Ottawa's ghosts of Grey Cups past: A thrilling win, a crushing defeat.

This time the 14-4 Eskimos are only a touchdown favourite to beat the 12-6 Redblacks. Smiling Henry Burris has more to work with and a win on Sunday is within the realm of possibility.

Burris is playing with a chip on his shoulder and wants to prove to the world — especially Kent Austin, who
cut him loose in Hamilton — that, even at 40, he has what it takes to lead a team to a championship.

'Redblacks have a chance'

Burris has a great receiving corps, a solid running game and a healthy offensive line to help him put points on the board. Defensively the club is solid as well, even without all-star defensive back Jerrell Gavins who will miss the big game with a leg injury.

For many of those Ottawa fans, and for the veteran sports guys, just seeing a team get to this level again is a treat in itself.

One of the keys might be the ability of Ottawa's top-rated pass rush to get to Eskimos quarterback Mike Reilly. If they can do that, the Redblacks have a chance. If not, and Reilly can set up to hit the likes of Adarius Bowman and Derel Walker — like he did against Calgary last week — it could be a long afternoon for the Ottawa faithful.

You hope the players don't feel this way — especially after their awards ceremony performance — but for many of those Ottawa fans, and for the veteran sports guys, just seeing a team get to this level again is a treat in itself.

And even nicer to know it's not going to take another 34 years for this to happen again.