That mercifully brief, final colour scheme, mandatory the moment you cross that stretch of the Trans Canada Highway at the provincial border heading due east, never seemed to ring true, anyway.

“The secret,’’ confesses Randy Chevrier, “since I was a kid – ask anyone that knew me growing up – green actually was my favourite colour.

“But I bleed red.

“As far as football goes, I’m red all the way.”

Yes. Red.

Now that is a colour most becoming. Even on a mountain of a man, 6-foot-2 and tipping the Toledos at 270 pounds.

The trail for a Montreal kid that began in Jacksonville, Fla., 16 years ago and also wove its way through Dallas, Cincinnati, Barcelona, Edmonton, New York and Regina officially ended Tuesday when Chevrier announced his retirement from football.

It’s as a Calgary Stampeder that he leaves a legacy, of course.

Photo by David Moll

Those 178 games saddling up for The Horse ties Chevrier for eighth all-time, alongside the legendary Thumper, Wayne Harris. A Tom Pate Award recipient in 2014. Three-time Grey Cup champion.

“I’m not a big star, right? I get that. I’m pretty aware of who I am. The great thing is, through all these years I felt like a fan in a privileged spot. Best seat in the house.

“That’s how approached every day, from my first day of camp in the NFL to my last day as a (Saskatchewan) Rider. As a fan.

“I’ve pretty lucky to be in the spot I’m in. I know there are thousands of people who’d give an arm or a leg to be in the position I was in.

“Think of the players I called teammates. Start with Ricky Ray, Terry Vaughn, Mike Pringle, Sean Fleming, Singor Mobley up in Edmonton. You come here, you’re playing with Henry (Burris), Joffrey (Reynolds), Jon Cornish, Dave Dickenson, Danny McManus – for a cup of coffee – Nik Lewis . . . the list goes on and on. Sandro (DeAngelis), Burke (Dales). I only worked with four kickers all my years as a Stampeder. Isn’t that something?

“Hall of Famers. Amazing athletes. And I got to play with these guys.”

Keon Raymond and Randy Chevrier (Photo by Angela Burger)

From 2005 through 2015 in this town, Chevrier became more than just an occasional D-lineman and trustworthy long-snapper for the Red and White. He morphed into Chevy. Larger than life. Radio personality. Community-minded citizen. All-around good egg.

“I’ve always tried to help people. From way back, growing up a Roman Catholic kid, going to church every Sunday all day, helping the old ladies, working at the grocery store carrying people’s groceries to their houses.

“I grew up in that culture.

“When I got to Calgary, there was a real disconnect between the team and the community. We helped re-establish that, which is something I’m very proud of.

“It’s come so far in that regard. I remember begging Geo (equipment manager George Hopkins) for a couple practice jerseys and some sharpies and a few guys would go up to the old Children’s Hospital on Crowchild Trail.

“That’s how it all started.”

The transitory nature of the profession is something that was hammered home early.

“I never once took for granted my job. I never once took for granted signing an autograph for a kid, or an adult. I mean, we’re blessed. Who else gets to put on shorts and play around like a kid for two hours a day?

“I loved every bit of it. Driving to games. Talking to fans at their tailgate parties. Talking to you guys in the media. I appreciated it all. You have to.

“The first thing anyone ever told me as a pro, in a meeting, was: ‘Welcome to the NFL, gentlemen. From this day forward we’re trying to replace you.’ Three days after I got drafted by Jacksonville.

“Imagine. That’s the first thing they tell us. I built my career off that statement.”

OK, so maybe he wasn’t the glam quarterback with the Pepsodent smile who throws the winning touchdown with 00:00 on the clock and gets the girl. That elusive tailback shedding tacklers to move the sticks and keep the drive alive.

His work was specific, done largely under the radar. But he was, is and always will be a through-and-through Stampeder.

Randy Chevrier and his kids during the 2015 season (Photo by David Moll)

“Myself, my family, we love this city.

“I spent 11 years with the team, since 2005. From where they were in 2004, that whole evolution of new ownership, the calibre of guys they started bringing in, the culture they were trying to establish, was so great to be a part of.

“But from 2008 on, I’d say we were probably the benchmark for the CFL. Even though we maybe didn’t have the number of Grey Cups … I won’t say ‘should’ve’ because everybody thinks they deserve to be champs. But I definitely think we were positioned to win more titles.

“That’s why it’s pro sports. That’s why you play.”

Those playing days at are an end. And the nicest part is, Randy Cheerier has come to grips with that reality.

“People always say ‘It’s tough,’ ’’ he muses. “And it is. The beast that is football is far easier for me to understand than what to do with the next 40 years of my life. Whether that be teaching or going to the fire department or whatever.

“We always talk about athletes dying twice. The first death is their sports identity. I felt that over this last year.

“But I’m ready. I can let go for whatever awaits me next.

“I’m perfectly fine to melt away into the sunset now.”

A bright, blazing predominantly red sunset, it goes without saying.