2025 SaskTel Plaza of Honour Class Announced
May 5, 2025 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Saskatchewan Roughriders News Release
The Plaza of Honour Selection Committee has announced that two-time Grey Cup-winning offensive lineman Chris Best and long-time assistant coach Alex Smith Sr. are the 2025 SaskTel Plaza of Honour inductees.
Chris Best was a member of two Grey Cup championship teams (2007, 2013). In 2007, Best was part of an offensive line that protected quarterback Kerry Joseph during a season in which he would be named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player. In 2013, Best was a starting guard in the first home-field Grey Cup win in franchise history. He was a key part of a formidable offensive line that helped Kory Sheets rush for a Grey Cup-record 197 yards and be named the game's MVP.
Alex Smith Sr. was part of coaching staffs that helped the Roughriders win four West Division championships and one Grey Cup Game (2007). He is the longest-serving coach in Roughriders history, having worked for the team full-time for 16 seasons (1997-2012). He was the Roughriders' special teams coach during both seasons (2002, 2005) Corey Holmes was named the league's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.
Also in 2025, the Plaza will formally enshrine the late Steve Molnar, whose induction was announced last year. The induction was deferred due to an illness in the family. Molnar played for the Roughriders from 1969 to 1978. Replacing the retired George Reed at fullback in 1976, Molnar proceeded to lead the Roughriders in regular-season rushing yards (822). Most memorably, he rushed for a career-best 144 yards to power Saskatchewan to a 23-13 victory over Edmonton in the 1976 Western Conference final at Taylor Field.
The selection committee meets each spring to discuss and vote on each year's Plaza of Honour Induction Class. The committee is made up of eight members, including chair Steve Mazurak, fellow Roughriders alumni Alan Ford (who also served as GM from 1989-99), Cleveland Vann and Wes Cates, journalist and broadcaster Don Hewitt, Roughrider board member Terri Strunk, former Board Chair Barry Clarke and Roughrider Historian Rob Vanstone.
Best, Smith Sr. and Molnar will be formally enshrined into the Plaza of Honour during a special ceremony at halftime on September 13th, when the Roughriders oppose the Montreal Alouettes. Tickets are on sale now at Riderville.com.
Chris Best and Alex Smith Sr. will be available to media via Zoom Teleconference Monday, May 5th at 2 p.m. Please RSVP to Arielle Zerr at Arielle.Zerr@saskriders.com for Zoom credentials.
Chris Best
Offensive Lineman
2007-2016
Member of 2007 and 2013 Grey Cup championship teams. Roughriders' Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, 2011. 2013 Roughriders won 10 of their 12 games (Grey Cup included) with Best in the lineup and starting at guard. Fourth overall selection in 2005 CFL Draft. Played in 114 regular-season games, all with Saskatchewan.
Alex Smith Sr.
Builder
1997-2012
Roughriders assistant coach: 1997 to 2012 (longest-serving coach in franchise history). Coached with Roughriders in four Grey Cup Games (1997, 2007, 2009, 2010); part of 2007 championship team. During his time with the Roughriders, he coached special teams, running backs and linebackers. He was also heavily involved with the CFL Draft. Guest coach at training camp: 1995, 1996. Also successful in coaching in high school (Thom Trojans) and university (Regina Rams).
Steve Molnar
(Posthumous)
Running Back
1969-1978
Saskatoon-born Roughrider from 1969 to 1978. Rushed for 2,549 yards and 20 touchdowns with the Roughriders; also caught 142 passes for 1,552 yards and two TDs, one of which was a 63-yarder (1977). Played in 1969, 1972 and 1976 Grey Cup Games. Roughriders' Most Outstanding Canadian in 1976 and 1977. Led the 1976 Roughriders in rushing yards (822) while helping the team finish first in the Western Conference. Passed away on Jan. 16, 2021, at age 73.
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