The CFL’s ultimate prize made a stop in Riverview, N.B., on Monday as Edmonton Eskimos fullback Mike Miller brought the Grey Cup back to his hometown.
Hundreds gathered for a chance to welcome Miller and have a peak at the hardware.
“It's been an awesome experience,” said Miller. “I didn't really expect the turnout and the excitement that's been going on in the town. If you'd have told me a month ago, I wouldn't have thought that.”
The experience has been just as exciting for Miller’s wife Erica – also a Greater Moncton native – and their son Ethan.
“We spend our offseason in Riverview and just the support has been so amazing,” said Erica Miller. “Hearing everyone get excited about it and show up for this is awesome.”
Miller, who played his university football at Acadia, is also coming home with a new contract that will keep him with the Eskimos until 2017.
“Everyone is showing how proud they are of him,” said Riverview Mayor Ann Seamans.
Miller met with a new generation of Riverview Royals during his return.
“It was awesome for us,” said Riverview High football player McKenzie Norman. “Seeing someone who came from Riverview go on to win something as big as the Grey Cup, it was very inspiring”
“Seeing my old schools and getting to see how excited the students were was amazing,” said Miller. “They presented me with a jersey and I got to put it on and everything, so that was fun.”
With a full day behind him, Miller now looks forward to his sixth season chasing Canadian football's holy grail.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Cami Kepke.
