It's not every day when a 10-year-old gets the opportunity to meet and interview a Saskatchewan Roughrider.
But this is exactly the opportunity that presented itself to Lane Newell of Carlyle.
"I got to interview Chris Getzlaf," said Lane from behind a shy smile.
Newell received the opportunity to interview the Saskatchewan Roughrider after being picked as the Subway Kid Correspondent.
"We got a phone call on Monday [Nov. 1] and were told we had to be there Friday [Nov. 5] morning," said Cheryl Newell, Lane's mom.
When they arrived in Regina on Friday morning, he went out onto the field and spent about 10 minutes interviewing Getzlaf.
So what did he ask the slotback for the Riders?
"I asked him, 'Who is your closest friend on the team? Who was your idol growing up? Who would win a race between you and your brother? What has been the highlight of your career so far? Who was your biggest rivalry? What advice can you give me so I can grow up to be a professional football player?" said Lane.
Lane couldn't remember all of Getzlaf's answers, but remembered he said he would win a race with his brother (Ryan Getzlaf who plays with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks) by a long shot.
His close friends on the team are "Baggs [Rob Bagg] and Koch [Cary Koch]," said Lane. "They're numbers are 6 and 84. [Chris Getzlaf] is 89."
Getzlaf also gave Lane the advice to go to school and stay focused in response to his question about how he could become a professional football player one day.
The whole interview was recorded and Lane will receive a DVD copy to watch whenever he wants.
Part of being the Kid Correspondent meant Lane was able to watch the Rider's walk-through practice the day before the game.
To become the Subway Kid Correspondent, Lane's dad Garth had entered him into a draw.
Garth and Lane went to watch the Riders game in Regina Nov. 6, where Lane was still quite excited about his encounter with one of the football greats.
Lane has grown up as a huge Rider fan, even decorating his room with Rider gear in the famed green colour. The chance to meet one of his idols left a lasting impression on him.
"It was fun and I would like to do it again," said Lane.
