Roughriders shrug off hype over the return to Edmonton
The Rider Nation has a bit of a reputation over in Edmonton – for trash talking, and for filling other people’s stadiums half full with the visiting team’s fans.
To the players, these are some of the things that make fans of the green and white great. It’s also why receiver Shamawd Chambers isn’t worried about going back to Commonwealth Stadium for Friday night’s game.
“I’m not really worried about the boos, that’s going to happen.” Chambers said, when asked about what it would be like to go back to his old stomping grounds. “I promise you coming to Mosaic for the last three years and having the fans right on your back booing you and talking directly to you – it’s way worse than going to Commonwealth.”
There’s also the matter of head coach Chris Jones and almost his entire coaching staff leaving the Eskimos for the Riders just days after winning the Grey Cup. They’ve returned once before to Edmonton in the preseason, but this game is the first of three that will count towards the standings, so there’s a bit more on the line.