Craig Reynolds reflects on Riders Grey Cup win

After a decade as president and CEO of the Saskatchewan Roughriders organization, Craig Reynolds finally got his Grey Cup as the leader of the organization.

“That was a moment you see on TV. It really was special to have my kids there and I couldn't find them at first. I finally found them and was able to hug them and say ‘we did it’,” Reynolds said in a recent year-end interview with CBC.

“It's just a very special moment I'll remember the rest of my life.”

After being named Riders president and CEO in late 2014, Reynolds saw his team get close to a West division title only to lose to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019, 2021 and 2024.

“We played in four of the last six West Finals and just could not get over the hump and actually get into that game," Reynolds said, "so to be able to get into the game and then be successful was just an incredible moment.”

“I thought so much about people in the organization who hadn't even had an opportunity to win a Grey Cup — seeing the joy in so many people's eyes on the field or afterwards at the party,” he said. The team had suffered through back-to-back 6-12 seasons in 2022 and 2023.

Reynolds said the parade and rally at the Saskatchewan legislative building blew him away.

As big as the victory was for the franchise in claiming its fifth CFL title, Reynolds pointed to wins off of the field.

Midway through the season the team signed head coach Corey Mace and general manager Jeremy O’Day to contract extensions.

“When I looked back at what were some successes overall of 2025, that's up there pretty high is extending them.”

Mace led the team to the Grey Cup in only his second year in charge.

“I think the moment you meet Corey Mace, you kind of expect this kind of result. He's just a