Saskatchewan Roughriders fan spreads pride to Antarctica

The franchise often known as Canada's team is now staking claim to become Antarctica's team.

From the pyramids in Egypt to the Great Wall of China, Saskatchewan Roughriders fans have made a tradition out of posting photos with their green and white flags around the world.

John Tappin, 68, took it to the extreme. It started with a phone call to a friend in Duncanville, Texas, 

"I just happened to phone in October and the first thing she said was, 'How are my Riders doing?' " Tappin said.
 
As the two continued to talk, she told Tappin that her daughter and son were planning to go scuba diving in the Antarctic Ocean. 

"Bing! The lightbulb came on," Tappin told Morning Edition host Stefani Langenegger. "I said, 'If I send you my Rider flag would you have some pictures taken down in the Antarctic (Ocean)?'

"She said, 'What a great idea.' "

Tappin said he had the package shipped out within 20 minutes. 

In November, Tappin's Rider flag-armed divers went swimming under the Antarctic Ocean ice and snapped some fantastic pictures. It was a thrill for the lifelong Riders fan.

"The penguins were in the background ... We just got lucky on that one," Tappin said.

The flag travelled safely back to Regina with a little "wear and tear," but Tappin said it's not too bad.

"It has a lot of character," he said, laughing.