For Saskatchewan Roughriders legend Darian Durant, there was no doubt about what game made him the most anxious in his CFL career.
"It would have to be that [2013] Grey Cup game. I've never been in a game where there's more pressure on me," Durant told The SportsCage. "We lost in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, we were terrible. 2012 we had a heartbreaking end to the Calgary game. We knew coming into the 2013 Grey Cup at home, all the pressure's on us to win this game. Then when you finally get to the game, there's no turning back, everything has to work out."
Durant led the Green and White to two straight Grey Cups in 2009 and 2010, where the team lost back-to-back to the Montreal Alouettes. During the 2011 season, the Riders finished 5-13. When the 2012 season rolled around, Saskatchewan finished with an 8-10 record. The Roughriders faced the Calgary Stampeders in the West Semi-Final and lost 36-30.
The 2013 Grey Cup journey for Durant and the Riders began against the B.C. Lions in the West Semi-Final at home. Saskatchewan defeated the Lions 29-25, then beat the Calgary Stampeders in the West Final 35-13. The final opponent was the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Mosaic Stadium.
"The B.C. game: 'What do you have to lose? Just let it all hang,'" Durant recalled.
"To lose two [Grey Cups] and now your third one, you're in your thirties, you're at home and all the pressure's on you. You know what type of party could happen in Rider Nation if you were to win, but you also know what that city would be like if you were to lose that game. Knowing the after-effects of that game is more pressure and being at home."
Durant's teammate Luc Mullinder and friend Jeff Armstead convinced him to go to a Rider party the night before the 2013 Grey Cup.
"I wanted to go to Riderville the night before because I wanted to be out of the hotel, get out of my zone, relax a little bit and feel the energy of Grey Cup week," Durant said. " I didn't have any family there and I wanted an opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere. Getting to Riderville really kind of eases that nervous energy away from me and allowed me to soak it all in."
The Green and White defeated the Tiger-Cats 45-23 in the 101st Grey Cup on November 24, 2013. Chris Getzlaf earned the Most Valuable Canadian award and Kory Sheets claimed the Most Valuable Player award in the game.
"I hear guys want that game-winning drive.You want to go down in history as the quarterback who led the team to a game-winning field goal. I'll tell you what, there's no better feeling than having a blowout win in the Grey Cup where there's no worries in the fourth quarter, where you don't have to make that throw, make that play," Durant said. "There's no pressure on you, so to get it done in that fashion, I'll take that any other day than to have that game-winning drive."
