There are moments in a football career that define you — and then there are moments that honour everything that came before it. For Chris Getzlaf, this one lands a little differently.
The longtime Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver, Grey Cup champion, and one of the most reliable hands to ever line up in green and white is headed to the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026, a recognition that, even for a player who accomplished plenty, still carries a special weight.
“It’s a complete honour,” Getzlaf said on the SportsCage. “To be enshrined and to be named alongside athletes across various sports, that’s something pretty special.”
And for a Regina product who grew up cheering for the Riders before becoming a cornerstone of the franchise, this one hits home in a way few accolades can.
“This is the province you grew up in,” he said. “My path was through a team I grew up cheering for. When you’re recognized for all sports, not just football, that’s an extra step.”
Getzlaf’s resume speaks loudly. A Grey Cup champion in 2013. The Most Outstanding Canadian in that same championship game. A CFL West All-Star. More than 6,000 receiving yards. Forty-one touchdowns. Big moments, delivered consistently, when they mattered most. But if you ask him, the Hall of Fame wasn’t ever the goal.
“I think it’s more the cherry on top. My goals were always about reaching the next level: junior, university, pro. This is something that comes from that progression.”
That progression wasn’t always smooth. He admits there were stretches, like a difficult period in 2012, where confidence was tested. Drops crept in. Doubt followed. But like so many of the great ones, Getzlaf leaned on work.
“There’s always going to be challenges. The people who accept those and work through them usually come out on top.”
If there’s one partnership that helped define his career, it was the connection with quarterback Darian Durant. It wasn’t just chemistry; it was preparation. The two came up together, grinding through scout team reps before becoming central figures in the Riders’ offence. That shared experience built something deeper than timing routes.
“We did a lot of talking away from the field,” Getzlaf said. “If you can see the same thing at game speed and be on the same page, that’s where success comes from.”
Ask Getzlaf about his favourite moments, and the answer comes quickly — even if there are plenty to choose from. Winning the Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium in 2013 sits at the top. A hometown kid. His team. His city. Redemption after back-to-back Grey Cup losses. It’s the kind of story that doesn’t need embellishment.
But there’s another play just as meaningful to him. A 60-yard touchdown in Calgary in 2009. Late in the game. A breakout moment.
“A bit of a coming-out party,” he said.
These days, Getzlaf’s still around the game, giving back, sharing knowledge, and helping the next generation. His recent time working with the Regina Thunder brought him back into the X’s and O’s, something he clearly still enjoys.
“It was awesome. Talking concepts, helping players understand, that’s what it’s all about.”
And yes, just in case you were wondering he figures he’s still got one play left in him.
“Probably one,” he laughed. “Then straight to emergency.”
