REGINA

Gainer's new look at Riders' season opener raising eyebrows on social media

CTV Regina

Katherine Hill CTVNewsRegina.ca Senior Digital Content Producer

Published Tuesday, July 2, 2019 7:57AM CST Last Updated Tuesday, July 2, 2019 6:42PM CST

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The Roughriders returned to Mosaic Stadium on Monday night with a decisive victory over the Toronto Argonauts. But while fans were happy to welcome their Riders home, they had a few concerns about Gainer’s off-season makeover.

The mascot is a little slimmer, and perhaps a little scarier, heading into this year’s CFL season.

We've worked all off-season to be under the bright lights. Our favourite gopher is no exception.

Now, Gainer is more #CFLGameday ready than he's ever been before....

Find out the rest tonight from Mosaic Stadium.��#UniteInGreen pic.twitter.com/QSqNMcEumN
— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) July 1, 2019

We’re THIS⤵️ excited to get back to playing tonight:#UniteInGreen pic.twitter.com/A8qIhj07GU
— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) July 2, 2019

Online reaction included fans fearing he would “haunt [their] dreams”, while others said he’s “not my Gainer.”

His new face will haunt my dreams for awhile.
— Brandon T Eashappie (@brandoneashappi) July 2, 2019

#NotMyGainer pic.twitter.com/zc1F8gOw0A
— Kyle Marshall (@TheActualKJM) July 2, 2019

The new look had former Premier Brad Wall speculating on Gainer’s origin story.

.@BitterGainer Working theory: beloved Gainer tragically died and ..... pic.twitter.com/07Tm75TNjE
— Brad Wall (@BradWall306) July 2, 2019

Some compared the new and improved Gainer to Gritty, the infamous mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Look, @GrittyNHL is cool as hell, but is also morbidly obese and a Belushi waiting to happen. #exercise #diet #selfimprovement https://t.co/QtuOJSja6H
— Bitter Gainer (@BitterGainer) July 2, 2019

One disgruntled fan has even launched a petition calling on the Riders to bring back the former Gainer. It had collected more than 1,000 signatures as of Tuesday morning.