Chris Getzlaf took a patient path to professional football success.
The Regina-born receiver had to bide his time and earn his opportunities throughout his career but made the most of his chances when they came. He played 147 regular-season games in the Canadian Football League. He caught 414 passes over his 11 seasons and had 6,192 receiving yards and 41 touchdowns. He also played in 13 playoff games and three Grey Cups.
Getzlaf joined the Prairie Thunder junior team in Regina after leading the Regina high school league in receiving. Getzlaf emerged in his fourth junior year and was named a conference all-star. Already studying at the University of Regina, Getzlaf moved to the university ranks with the Regina Rams. After starting his first season as a backup, he led the Rams in receiving yards. He was named a Canadian Interuniversity Sport All-Canadian in his second university season in 2006.
He was selected in the fifth round by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL Draft and began the season in the Steel City before being traded back home to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Getzlaf was on the roster but didn’t dress when the 2007 Riders won the Grey Cup.
Despite the Roughriders boasting five future Plaza of Honour inductees amongst their receiving corps, Getzlaf earned an opportunity in the starting lineup. He had more than 1,000 yards receiving in 2011 and 2013 and was named a CFL West All-Star in 2012 and 2013. In the Roughriders’ all-time record books, Getzlaf is fifth in catches (368) and receiving yard (5,694) and sixth in touchdown catches (37).
The Riders were also enjoying a lot of team success but lost both the 2009 and 2010 Grey Cups to the Montreal Alouettes.
In 2013, Getzlaf was named the Most Valuable Canadian of the 101st Grey Cup, as he caught three passes for 78 yards in the Riders’ 45-23 victory over Hamilton at Taylor Field.
After 28 games in Edmonton, Getzlaf returned to the Riders before retiring in 2017.
Installed in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame on September 26, 2026.
