On the heels of a concerted outcry by outraged Saskatchewan fans, the Calgary Stampeders announced yesterday the Roughriders' mascot will be allowed to attend this weekend's game.
Anger brewed on both sides of the provincial border, and in both football camps, after it was reported Roughrider mascot Gainer the Gopher would not be allowed to attend this Sunday's west semifinal at McMahon Stadium against the Stampeders.
With a reputation for being some of the most passionate in Canadian professional sports, Rider fans were quick to charge the situation head on and spearheaded phone and e-mail campaigns.
Calgary Roughriders fan Aymie Rondeau called for Saskatchewan fans to purchase gopher puppets from the riders on-line store.
"Our goal is to fill the stands with Gainers," she said.
"The Stamps may be able to ban our beloved mascot, but you can never stamp out our Rider Pride."
Barry Loopkey, another Riders fan in Calgary, said he's a Stampeders season ticket-holder but is contemplating not renewing his ducats.
"There are many other Rider fans out there ... that have been Stampeder season ticket-holders for many years, that are not renewing their season tickets next year because of this stupid decision," he said.
"Rider fans are some of the best, loyal, passionate, supportive, fans in all of professional sports - we don't like our team, or anything associated with it, being messed with."
But reports in Saskatchewan and Alberta over the last three days that Gainer was banned from the game are not true, said Stampeders spokesman Kelsey Goldade.
Gainer has only been denied access to the field, he said.
"Gainer will have, and always has had, the same access and privileges as any other Rider fan sitting in McMahon Stadium," said Goldade.
"The Stampeder organization has not granted field access to Gainer ... as far back as any staff members can remember, an opposing team's mascot was never granted field access at any playoff game hosted at McMahon Stadium."
Although Gainer declined to comment personally, a Riders spokesman said the gopher will not be at Sunday's game.