Ridgeway rides junior lessons to pro ranks

By Andrew Soong, September 12th, 2012

Football has been a way of life for Brian Ridgeway for as long as he can remember.
“I played a lot of hockey when I was young and I didn't start playing football until I was in high school,” said Ridgeway about his first exposure to football. “I tried it and then I just loved it.”
The 6'3 and 216 lb played six games for the Saint Mary's Huskies after attending Simon Fraser University.
 However, before attending university to study arts, Ridgeway also played for the junior Victoria Raiders on Vancouver Island. According to Ridgeway “it was a great experience [playing junior football].”
“Playing for the Raiders was a huge positive for me,” exclaimed Ridgeway about his time on the Raiders. “The experience helped me with life skills including working, being at practice and relying on my teammates.”
It was also these life skills and work ethic that Ridgeway brings to the Montreal Alouettes' locker room after finally signing with the team in 2011. Ridgeway was welcomed onto the team under the guidance of veteran players. Eventually the then-rookie was thrust into the spot-light playing his first game in 2011 against Saskatchewan in July followed weeks later with his first tackle on specialty teams.
“It's an awesome team, a great work environment and I don't want to play for another team,” said Ridgeway about the Alouettes organization and teammates. “The vets were friendly and I never felt out of place with everyone.”
The Grande Prairie native has also found a new home in Montreal and hopes to spend more time in city in the off-season. Like many Montreal Alouettes in the off-season Ridgeway hopes to take part in the organizations' outreach programs including Back to School with CN and the Montreal Alouettes. According to Ridgeway “Montreal is a gorgeous city and the fans are great.”
“I would like to take part in the outreach program,” said Ridgeway who has heard about the experiences from his teammates. “I'm looking forward to giving back to the community that supports us.”