RiderPrider.com - Gainer The Gopher

Gainer The Gopher.... the rodent, the legend.

Gainer is as much a part of the Saskatchewan Roughriders as are their trademark green jerseys. Gainer hails from the small town of Parkbeg, Saskatchewan and realized early on that he was different from his siblings. Instead of spending his early years digging holes in farmers' fields, Gainer was studying the art of silent comedy, practising motivational miming and watching his favourite football team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Burrowing on to the scene in 1977, Gainer the Gopher quickly became well known to Saskatchewan fans as the Roughriders' witty and entertaining mascot. Gainer garnered national attention due to his crowd pleasing techniques and hilarious antics. He has pioneered such tactics as dragging a stuffed animal(usually a lion or tiger) around the field, practising wresting moves on his unsuspecting prey, and firing up the crowd by smacking his signs in the middle of the field during commercial breaks. Over the years, Gainer has had some sweet wheels including a pimped out touchdown car, a Ford truck and a stylish green and white bicycle. Gainer's presence has resulted in the emergence of such spin-off mascots as Leonard and Goof the Gopher. In 2006, Gainer retired his number 1/2 and elected to don number 13 in honour of Saskatchewan Roughriders fans (A.K.A. the 13th man).

Throughout his time with the Roughriders, Gainer has witnessed many highs and lows. Gainer was there when the Riders won the 1989 Grey Cup in Toronto. He was on the sidelines while Rider greats Ron Lancaster, Ray Elgaard, Don Narcisse, Kent Austin, Bill Baker, Bobby Jurasin, etc. displayed their talents in front of appreciative fans. He ran up and down the stands entertaining the fans during a power outtage at Taylor Field in August of 1982. Gainer survived the infamous "Gainergate" scandal of 2006 where the Calgary Stampeders banned Gainer from attending the Western Semi-final. Fans rallied around Gainer and the team went on to the West Final. In 30+ years, general managers, coaches, and players have gone, yet Gainer remains as a fixture, an icon of prairie culture. Gainer the Gopher is football. Gainer is Saskatchewan. Gainer is the legend!