Do you enjoy dancing in fuzzy suits while strangers accidentally spill Pilsner on you? If so, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have the perfect job for you!
The Riders recently put out a call on social media seeking applicants to be the next Gainer the Gopher, the team’s iconic rodent mascot. Previous mascot experience is preferred, but not required — opening the door for almost anyone to try their hand at the audition.
According to the official job description, a successful applicant will be “outgoing, energetic, and friendly” with “strong non-verbal communication and physical storytelling skills.” The person must also be a “confident improviser” who won’t break character and is comfortable working in front of crowds or with children. Previous live performance experience, be it theatre, dance, or cheerleading, is an asset, as is a working knowledge of football.
To apply, you must be 18 years of age or older, be able to pass a Criminal Record Check, and reside in the province of Saskatchewan. Travel to and from Regina is not a covered expense, but you must have a driver’s license and reliable transport. Work hours are variable and could take you across the province.
Anyone meeting those criteria is asked to fill out the online application, including their resume, and submit a three-to-five-minute video reel showcasing how they would take on Gainer’s personality. The audition tape can be cut together from previous performances or filmed at home, with costumes welcome if they help “showcase your character.”
Gainer was first introduced as the Riders’ mascot in 1977 and received a controversial facelift in 2019, though the updated version has since been accepted by fans.
According to his official backstory, the anthropomorphic burrower hails from Parkbeg, Saskatchewan. His parents, Dwayne and Agnes Gopher, owned and operated a small trenching and excavation company. He is one of 38 canonical Gopher children, but the only one to adopt mascoting as a primary profession.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders kept most of their big names in free agency but still suffered some key losses, including quarterback Jake Maier (Ottawa Redblacks), receiver Tommy Nield (Winnipeg Blue Bombers), defensive lineman Malik Carney (Edmonton Elks), linebacker A.J. Allen (Ottawa Redblacks), and strong-side linebacker C.J. Reavis (Ottawa Redblacks). Micah Johnson retired to become the team’s defensive line coach, while receiver Dohnte Meyers departed for an NFL shot with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Roughriders hold the ninth overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on May 10. Saskatchewan will play its first preseason game against the Calgary Stampeders on Monday, May 18 and its first regular-season game against the B.C. Lions on Saturday, June 13.
In 2025, Saskatchewan finished first in the West Division standings with a 12-6 record. The team went on to defeat the Montreal Alouettes in the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg, marking the club’s first championship in 12 years.
