Everyone on the Saskatchewan Roughriders sidelines was exuberant when Montreal Alouettes' quarterback Davis Alexander's hail mary attempt hit the turf to secure the Green and White winning the 112th Grey Cup 25-17.
"It still doesn't seem real," Riders' kicker Brett Lauther explained to voice of the Green and White, Dave Thomas. "I had to grab Jorgen [Hus], he was on the ground, he didn't know what was going on, we were freaking out. This is the best night of my life."
Saskatchewan's last Grey Cup victory came in 2013 when the Roughriders defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at home 45-23.
During the regular season, Lauther struggled with a 72 percent field goal make rate. He could not be happier about the bond with his teammates.
"Day one of training camp, we had the meeting again last night, went over everything we were going to do this year, and [Sunday] was the chance to do it. All these guys stuck with me, I stuck with them. It's the best group of people I've ever been around," Lauther said.
"I'll never be a part of a group like this for the rest of my life. I'm going to miss these guys, but right now, we're champs, and it's a bad night to be a beer. It never turns out how you think it will in your head, but we didn't care how it looked. We wanted to be Grey Cup champions and we're that at the end of the day."
Lauther hit three extra points and missed one of his two field goals from 39 yards out. He also kicked off four times totalling 255 yards.
Saskatchewan’s victory against Montreal marks Lauther's first Grey Cup in his pro career since being selected in the 2013 CFL Draft.
Besides the Grey Cup championship victory, Lauther had another opportunity to cherish — celebrate the win with his baby girl, Townes.
"I had her on stage for the trophy ceremony. It's crazy, I waited 35 years for this, and she waited two months," Lauther said. "All my family flew in from Nova Scotia; they're all right here, and it's all really for them. For my grandmother, we lost her after the West Final last year. I was very thankful for J.O. and them getting me home for that and I know she's looking down on me — I miss her a lot."
The Riders will hold a Grey Cup parade on Tuesday which starts at 2 p.m. at the Green Mile and concludes at the legislative building.
