Courtesy CFL.ca:
The Cups runneth over in the Getzlaf household.

Reserve slotback Chris Getzlaf became the second member of his immediate family to win a major championship on Sunday when the Saskatchewan Roughriders captured the Grey Cup with a 23-19 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Five months earlier, the Anaheim Ducks celebrated an NHL title with the help of 22-year-old centre Ryan Getzlaf, who brought the Stanley Cup home to Regina over the summer.

It was the older brother’s turn on Tuesday when the Roughriders paraded down Albert Street in - 30 C temperatures to share their prize with the die-hard members of Rider Nation.

“Some guys were definitely questioning the weather, that’s for sure, but we all got through it and had a good time,” offered Getzlaf, 24, a first-year CFLer who was acquired midway through the season from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. “I ended up being in the right place at the right time, I guess. I got traded and went from worst to first in one week. My brother ended up on a good team himself and he had a lot to do with their success in the playoffs.”

The Getzlaf boys plan to celebrate their good fortune later this week when Chris travels to Alberta, where Ryan’s Ducks are visiting the Calgary Flames on Thursday and the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. The brothers spoke briefly after the Grey Cup and will be getting together sometime this weekend.

“Obviously it makes for good conversation,” Chris said with a laugh. “We talked a bit about it (already). I’ll chat with him more when I get to see him.”

Back in Regina, Getzlaf’s Roughriders are still the talk of the town — and likely will be for some time.

As a life-long fan, Getzlaf suffered with the rest of Saskatchewan during the franchise’s 18-year Grey Cup drought. Now that it’s over, he had a tough time describing the emotions — and relief — associated with being a part of the team which finally rewarded its championship-depraved supporters.

“It’s pretty much a dream come true,” he said. “You can’t get a better situation than playing for your favourite team growing up and end up winning a Grey Cup when they haven’t won for so long.”

Patience is a virtue for most Roughrider fans, but not for Steve Getzlaf. Regina’s proudest sports dad has watched not one but two sons reach the pinnacle of their sports — both in the same year, no less.

“It’s kind of amazing, really,” he marvelled. “I never every expected this to happen, especially when Chris is only in his first year and Ryan was only in his second year. Some guys play a long time before they even get a shot at it. Teemu Selanne played for 15 years and he finally got his (last year with the Ducks). It’s a pretty good accomplishment in such a short period of time. It was almost like destiny because Chris was in Hamilton and he got traded here. I guess he’s pretty fortunate.”

Chris Getzlaf was acquired by Saskatchewan on Aug. 19 along with multi-purpose tailback Corey Holmes in exchange for receiver Jason Armstead. At the time of the trade, Saskatchewan was first overall in the CFL with a 6-2 record while the Ti-Cats were dead-last at 1-6.

“I knew full well when I got traded that I’d have a great opportunity,” he said. “It turned out to be exactly that.”

The only downside for the former University of Regina Rams star was not getting an opportunity to suit up for the Roughriders. The rookie tore two ligaments in his foot just a couple weeks after he arrived and was sidelined for about a month. Getzlaf had been practicing with the team for most of November but wasn’t activated for the playoffs.

“(The injury) really set me back,” he noted. “I might have had a better opportunity (to play in the Cup) if that hadn’t happened. Obviously you’re more emotionally involved if you’re on the field and have a big part in it, but even being on the practice roster, you’re just as much part of the team. I’m glad to be here, that’s for sure.”

Getzlaf said his injured foot still isn’t 100 per cent, but he expects it to fully heal within about a month. After taking a few days off to visit his brother, he plans to jump “straight into training.”

“I’m going to make sure I come to camp in the best shape I’ve ever been in,” added Getzlaf, a first team All-Canadian in the CIS last season. “I’m definitely looking forward to next year and being able to contribute a little more. Hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to be on the active roster and show them what I can do.”