The Saskatchewan Roughriders' triumphant Grey Cup celebrations took an unexpected turn this week when the team's exuberant behavior during public events drew criticism from some attendees, particularly those who had brought children to witness their heroes' championship moment.
Legislative Building Celebration Sparks Controversy
During the team's victory celebrations at the provincial Legislative Building on November 18, 2025, following a parade down Regina's Green Mile, head coach Corey Mace unleashed an emotional outburst that caught many by surprise. The typically stoic coach shouted, "How about your mother-xxxxxxx Saskatchewan Roughriders!" - using explicit language that several attendees found inappropriate for the family-friendly setting.
Multiple complaints were filed with the Regina Leader-Post from fans disappointed in their heroes' behavior, with some specifically noting they had brought children or grandchildren to the celebration expecting a more professional display from the championship team.
Coach Mace Defends Team's Conduct
When questioned during the Roughriders' final media availability of the 2025 season about whether the celebrations had gone overboard, Mace offered a firm defense of his team's conduct. "No," said Mace, with the Grey Cup trophy positioned beside him on a podium inside Mosaic Stadium. "If any of us were bad people or horrible role models 364 days of the year, then I'd say we should be better."
The first-year head coach added his personal perspective on the situation: "Personally, for me, it was pretty PG, man, the way that we feel. We want to do everything for this fan base and we cussed. Sorry. I hope you accept our apology."
Season of Contrasts for Roughriders
The post-championship exuberance marked a dramatic shift from the team's behavior throughout the 2025 season, which observers had characterized as unusually low-key and even boring compared to previous Roughriders squads known for reports of outlandish or illegal behavior.
During the championship season, spotting a Riders player, coach or executive away from Mosaic Stadium was nearly impossible, despite Regina being the smallest of the CFL's nine markets and theoretically the easiest place to notice members of the province's beloved professional football team.
The team maintained a strict code of conduct throughout the season, demonstrated by their midseason release of defensive back Kosi Onyeka after what Mace described simply as failing to abide by team standards. The specific facts surrounding Onyeka's dismissal remained undisclosed.
Beyond Mace's language, the celebrations included players carrying beer, smoking cigars inside the Legislative Building, and even walking on a desk - behavior that certainly warranted parental guidance but fell far short of criminal activity. For most observers, the actions wouldn't have caused reaction or offense, but represented a noticeable departure from the team's bottled-up dedication that ultimately delivered the franchise's first Grey Cup championship since 2013.
