Some moments feel bigger than football.
For Regina-born Mitchell Picton, Sunday’s 112th Grey Cup won’t just be the biggest game of his seven-year CFL career — it will be the realization of a lifetime spent dreaming in green and white.
Picton, the reliable Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver who has quietly carved out a niche as one of the team’s most trusted depth pieces, will officially be on the roster when the Riders face the Montreal Alouettes at Princess Auto Stadium.
The 30-year-old appeared in 14 games this season, hauling in 20 receptions for 226 yards and once again proving he can be counted on whenever his number is called.
But this week, the call carried a little extra weight.
“It’s exciting, this is a big game. You want to be a part of it,” Picton said. “I feel like I've been working hard and the way the cards fall every week, you never really know. We have such a deep receiver room, you're confident in each and every one of those guys. To be up this week and in this game means a lot.”
If there’s someone particularly thrilled about Picton being in the lineup, it’s Riders’ quarterback Trevor Harris.
“I think everybody knows that when he plays and I'm in the game, he's almost like a shoe-in for six for 80 and a touchdown. He's very sudden in his routes, he’s very precise, he gets on people’s toes and wins — people don't really expect him to win like he does, but he wins. He’s somebody I trust to the highest level, and somebody I really enjoy playing with. I hope he gets out there quite a bit and hopefully I can get him the ball.”
Head coach Corey Mace is excited for his veteran pass catcher.
“Means a lot. Mitch works his tail off. He's a heck of a player. Anytime we've asked him to step up, he does. He's super intelligent, he can play every receiver spot, he can play multiple spots on special teams. He understands tremendously what defences are trying to accomplish. Mitch is supposed to be playing.”
For Picton, who wore his emotions on his face when talking to reporters, the emotion of the week isn’t just about football, it’s about the people who helped get him here.
“We certainly make sacrifices to play this game, but I think about family making sacrifices for us. They've been all over the country to watch me play — my parents, my brother, and my wife they're all very special to me. There’s going to be a lot of Picton jerseys, a lot of 81 out there. That’s something I’m very excited for, very thankful for.”
And add one more Picton to that count — his cousin and former University of Regina quarterback, Noah Picton.
“Noah saw the depth chart this morning. He texted me and said, ‘I’m hitting Highway One (Sunday).’ Noah’s going to be here.”
Picton’s football roots run deep. Before he ever pulled on a Roughriders jersey, he was a kid following his dad around Rams practices, idolizing the players, dreaming of the day he could wear the horns himself.
“Honestly, growing up, we idolized the Rams. Dad played for the Rams, and we were always at Rams practices. That was the dream we couldn’t wait to wear the horns.”
That dream became reality at the University of Regina, where he starred alongside Noah in one of the most memorable eras of Rams football. But the bigger dream was just down the hallway at Mosaic Stadium.
“Growing up in Saskatchewan, the Riders are the biggest deal. Once I was drafted here, I felt very thankful. This was something we dreamed about and talked about for a very, very long time.”
Picton knows what Sunday means. He knows what it means for the team, the province, and everyone back home who pulls on a green jersey and settles into the couch with fingers crossed.
“When I was drafted to this organization, it was a dream to bring a Grey Cup back to Saskatchewan. To have the opportunity to do that is very special. Looking back on my journey, this has been the goal the entire time. Now it’s time to get out there and finish the job… and bring the Cup back to Saskatchewan.”
The Riders and Alouettes collide Sunday at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg. Coverage begins at 2 p.m. on the 620 CKRM Cooperators Rider Radio Network.
