Friend or foe, Drew Tate will always have a lasting memory among the Stampeders fans and players.

One of his biggest moments as a Stamp was a 68-yard, game-winning touchdown pass to Romby Bryant in the 2012 Western Semi-Final against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Bo Levi Mitchell, Tate’s backup at the time, watched the play from the sidelines and has a vivid memory of the play.

“It was cool, I still remember it,” said Mitchell. “It was an out route, a go route, he pumps the out route and the corner jumps it. He throws the ball and as soon as he throws the ball, he throws his hands up. He knew it was a touchdown if Romby caught it. He saw Romby catch it and he threw his helmet off. Everybody was yelling at him to put his helmet back on so we didn’t get a 15-yard penalty.”

Receiver Marquay McDaniel had a different perspective of the play, as he was the man running the out route that played as the distraction to set Bryant free down the sideline.

“It was crazy,” said McDaniel. “I just remember the play, I was running the out, he pumped the corner, the corner came down and Drew hit Romby for the touchdown. I knew he had confidence that we were going to get it done. For it to happen like that after they had just scored a big touchdown, it’s definitely one of my most memorable moments.”

For punter Rob Maver, it’s still a moment he treasures.

As roommates on the road and great friends off of the field, the two veterans spent many hours together during the seven seasons they played together in Calgary.

“I still will watch the highlights from that game every now and again. It doesn’t choke me up and make me tear, but it makes me feel some feels, for lack of a better description.

“To this day, that’s the most emotional game that I’ve been a part of and he was the trigger man for that game, so it’s one of the many fond memories I’ll have with Drew.”

Though Tate is now an Ottawa RedBlack, the relationships the QB forged over the years in Calgary have made it hard for those friends and teammates to see him in another uniform.

But they’re happy that he’s in a great situation for his career and his family.

“It’s tough because he’s got friends on the team, he’s been here a long time and it’s almost a staple to see him in a Stamps jersey,” said Mitchell.

“It was really strange, though,” Maver said about seeing Tate in a RedBlacks jersey. “Drew was a constant for me. We started rooming together in my rookie year and we were good buds right from the start. It was strange, but I’m happy for him. It’s a new opportunity for him. He’s re-energized and really happy to be with that team and that city.”

Drew Tate celebrates the 2014 Grey Cup (Photo by Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito)

Tate brought a unique energy and attitude to the field and he was a great teammate, in his own way.

After the 2014 Grey Cup in which the Stamps beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 2016, Tate didn’t want the feeling to end so he refused to take off his gear. He spent the rest of the night partying with his team in full football attire.

“We came in the locker room and everyone is partying, drinking champagne and all that,” explained Bo. “You’re trying to get showered and dressed and still celebrate. Drew said, ‘I’m not taking it off, Im going to party in this right here.’ It was hilarious. I didn’t think he was going to do it, I thought he was just going to wear his jersey. He came to the party in full gear with cleats on.

“That’s Drew Tate.”