Frosty but warm welcome home for Riders

No one can accuse Riders fans of being fair-weather friends. Not after Monday, anyhow.

It was -20 Cin Regina's Mosaic Stadium Monday afternoon, as thousands of Saskatchewan residentsturned out to welcome the Roughriders home with the Grey Cup.

The team won theCanadian Football League championship trophy Sunday in Toronto by beating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-19.

With the wind chill, it felt like it was -30.

Even so, the welcome by flag-waving, green-and-white clad fans was exceedingly warm.

"Thirty below zero," head coach Kent Austin marvelled as he surveyed the sea of green in front of him.

"To turn out here on a day like this is just unbelievable."

Austin's comments were brief, as were the remarks of quarterback Kerry Joseph and other Riders.

"I got to say one thing," Joseph said. "We brought back the Grey Cup to Regina."

Then he hoisted the silver cup above his head to the cheers of the crowd.

Celebrations of the Grey Cup victory began shortly after the game ended Sunday night.

Thousands of fans in Regina, Saskatoon and other communities around the province poured onto the streets in a spontaneous display of joy.

It was the first time since 1989 the team had won the Cup and only the third time in franchise history.

The cheering is expected to continue for a few more days yet. A parade featuring the Roughriders is planned for Regina Tuesday.