There’s green in Manitoba’s capital.

Saskatchewan-born Winnipeg residents Trevor Buhnai, Bob Antymniuk and Olenka Antymniuk proudly wear the Roughriders colors in what could be described as enemy territory.

“I wear kind of Rider green every day,” Bob Antymniuk said before Saturday’s CFL Western final between Saskatchewan and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“It can be a pin or socks,” adds his wife Olenka, “but there is always something green.”

Olenka started cheering for the Roughriders while growing up in Nipawin. Bob, born in Moose Jaw, attended elementary and high school in Regina before moving to Saskatoon to attend the University of Saskatchewan.

The Anytmniuks, residents of Winnipeg for 45 years, are Roughriders season ticket members and regularly make the trek to and from Regina to watch their beloved Green and White.

Buhnai can understand.

Born in Regina, he has lived in Winnipeg since 1988 except for one year. He returned to the Queen City in 2021 to become Chief Operating Officer of the Regina Pats.

Back in Winnipeg, Buhnai continued a family tradition of purchasing Roughriders season tickets. His late father, Bill, began Buhnais’ 53-year career by purchasing a full-season package in 1971.

“I was born nine days before the Riders’ first Gray Cup victory,” says Trevor, who arrived on November 17, 1966.

“This year’s Gray Cup will take place on November 17. I can’t imagine a better birthday present than the presence of the Riders.

Trevor was born the day after the Roughriders won 21-19 at Winnipeg Stadium to advance to the 1966 Gray Cup game.

“My parents told me I was at the Labor Day game that year,” he said with a laugh.

The Labor Day Classic has long been a staple for Buhnai, even though he has to travel 350 miles to take part in the festivities.

“My family is in Regina and there are football games too, so I look forward to the visits,” he said.

“It’s never a chore. It’s nice to be able to come home and enjoy it all the time.

The same sentiments apply to the routine of football in Winnipeg.

“I think there is a small but dedicated group of Riders fans here,” Buhnai said. “They are in the same boat as me. You can literally substitute geography, but you get the same type of feeling.

“If I were to find myself anywhere else in my personal or professional life, I would be happy to be in Winnipeg, where the fans are passionate about Canadian football and where there are die-hard fans.”

The Antymniuks can speak to their passion, given some of the responses they receive from Blue Bombers fans.

“You could be wearing Toronto Maple Leafs gear and no one would say anything,” notes Bob, “but if you pass someone in Winnipeg wearing green, someone will usually say something.

“You can’t hide or be cowardly. If you are faithful, you are faithful. We don’t change.

The Antymniuks have been subscription members since 2003 – or, as Olenka puts it, “since the kids had couches in the end zone” at Taylor Field.

Bob and Olenka, like Buhnai, can’t hide their excitement as the Roughriders prepare to face their arch-rivals, the Blue Bombers, with a Gray Cup berth on the line.

“By Saturday at 8 p.m.,” Bob concludes, “I hope we’re all smiling like Cheshire cats.”