Roughriders, Blue Bombers to Honour Mass Stabbing Victims with Helmet Decals

Two of the Canadian Football League’s biggest rivals are uniting to remember the victims of a tragic crime that took place last week.

When they face off in the rematch of their Labour Day Classic game on Saturday, Sept. 10 — a game that’s come to be known as the “Banjo Bowl” — the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers will both wear commemorative decals on their helmets to honour the victims of a mass stabbing on the James Smith Cree Nation and the village of Weldon, Saskatchewan, on Sunday, Sept. 4.

In our hearts. On our minds.
James Smith Cree Nation. 💚 pic.twitter.com/scsd89P0LD
— x – Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) September 10, 2022

Forever in our hearts James Smith Cree Nation ❤ pic.twitter.com/jI4VNwvfwD
— x – Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) September 10, 2022

The clubs issued simultaneous statements on their Twitter accounts on Friday, Sept. 9. The decals are white circles with the letters “JSCN” written in red inside. Red is a colour of healing in the Cree culture.

A joint statement from the Saskatchewan Roughriders & Winnipeg Blue Bombers. pic.twitter.com/iHaqSOzKrn
— x – Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) September 9, 2022

A joint statement from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders. pic.twitter.com/l3WK64mgXp
— x – Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) September 9, 2022

Ten people, ranging in age from 23 to 78, were killed in the stabbings, and another 18 people were injured. One suspect was found deceased on Monday. The other suspect was arrested near Rosthern, Sask., on Wednesday, but then went into medical distress shortly after and was pronounced dead at a Saskatoon hospital.

The Roughriders had issued a separate statement on Monday, Sept. 5, expressing their sorrow over the crime.

Our hearts are broken for the communities of James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon. pic.twitter.com/1L8mWfYdto
— x – Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) September 5, 2022

The CFL also released a statement on the tragedy on Tuesday:

“The CFL stands with the communities of James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, as well as the entire province of Saskatchewan through this unspeakable tragedy. Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones and any who have been affected by this horrific act of senseless violence.
“We know the people of Saskatchewan will find strength and comfort in each other, but please know that the entire CFL family lends its unreserved support and offers its most heartfelt condolences at this time.”

The Roughriders and Blue Bombers will square off on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET at IG Field in Winnipeg.