When the Saskatchewan Roughriders brought in Zach Collaros to compete for starting quarterback of the Saskatchewan Roughriders we all wondered if he'd be wearing number 4. Cameron Judge is the current rookie player to don that jersey number and then we watched Zach in Regina unveil his 17 jersey, a number which Crezdon Butler wore in 2017. Butler said he'll wear #5 in 2018 since it has now become available. It all made me think about the attachment fans have to the numbers CFL players wear, how they change over the years and our memories and feelings.
There was a contest in the LeaderPost to choose a number for Quarterback Henry Burris. Ridernation chose the number 1. It's a number Hank wore throughout his career while Ridernation jeered at him at every game. Flash forward to Kory Sheets... his name evokes instant visions of #1 scooping up DD4's near fumble in the 2013 Grey Cup game which likely completely changed the momentum of that game. I wonder if anyone remembers that Marshay Green also wore number 1 and that one of his missed tackles (stood and watched the receiver run by) had a distinct flavour in a game against Ottawa in 2015. Jovon Johnson is the current #1 and is a proud member for the second time of the Roughriders who does incredible things for the community through fund raising for Lyme Disease. His first tour of the Riders was in 2007 but because he felt he didn't deserve it, he regretfully sold his Grey Cup ring.
Is Rider Nation ready to see another quarterback wear the number four? Part of me is relieved that Collaros didn't take that number. There's just so many feelings associated with it and I don't think enough time has passed for any of us to see it without evoking some sort of feelings. Now here is another aspect of football numbers - Darian Durant is reportedly due a bonus from the Alouettes and by the time this blog is posted we will likely all know the outcome. He had another dismal season after he failed to negotiate in Saskatchewan he chased the money to Montreal. Now he finds himself in an even tougher situation. Will he take less money this time? That answer was no as later on January 15th it was announced the Montreal Alouettes released the 2013 champ only a year and 2 days after he was traded from Saskatchewan.
Contracts in the CFL are a big deal. CFL players make far less than American football players and often have second careers to help them make it through the offseason. Players are signing shorter term contracts which is resulting in more movement between teams. It's possible that my 89 may be your 89 in 2018. Of course I'm thinking about this with Free Agency on the horizon and there are fewer Rider players signed on that list than I'd like. This is the business of football. Players come, we get attached and often they go on to careers elsewhere. Duron Carter comes to mind as he was the latest player to wear 89 and is currently not signed. The last notable player to wear that number was Chris Getzlaf who upon his arrival back in Regina wore number 84. Getzlaf - a Saskatchewan native, was very lucky to retire a Rider after 11 seasons in the CFL.
Kevin Glenn triple-ex-Rider number 5 was released shortly after the signing of Zach Collaros. Last year he played in tandem with Canadian number 16 Brandon Bridge. I thought it was cool that the last time the Riders used a tandem style was in 1989 with #5 Kent Austin and #16 Tom Burgess. Monday Kevin Glenn was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos making them the 9th (all of 'em) team to hold Glenn's rights in the CFL. That's a pretty awesome thing to have happen and will go into the record books for that reason I am sure. Lot's of people like to knock Glenn for not winning a Grey Cup in his career and when you browse his CFL career you'll see that he's missed some championships by just a year. I don't think it's understood how difficult it is to win a championship in this league. Omar Morgan #1 played his entire career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders except for 2007 in which he was an Eskimo. He retired not winning a Grey Cup and yet Omar and Eddie (Davis #29) are a legendary Riders backfield duo.
Eighty-One. Superman. Was it a dream or was Geroy Simon really a Saskatchewan Roughrider? It's no matter because 30 year old Bakari Grant holds the number now. Just think, he was 2 years old when Ray Elgaard wore it in 1989.
Lucky number seven. It was worn for many years by Weston Dressler and for a time his jersey was the highest selling jersey in the Rider store. Next came Justin Cappiocotti and well...that didn't turn out. Then came in a player newly released from the NFL in the form of Willie Jefferson and the #7 has never looked so good. We often rush to buy the jerseys while merchandisers lick their salivating lips as they rake in the money for a customized jersey. But not so fast! Remember when players like Maurice Price, Shawn Lemon, Keith Toston or even Vince Young were signed and fans rushed to get their jersey's only to have them abruptly get released or traded. For this reason I've always found it hard to justify a custom jersey in my life.
I've never played sports. As much as I love football I am pretty uncoordinated in real life. If I had to choose a number though? Thirteen is my number. 13 because I am a member of Rider Nation. I love the team and the players. I attend Training Camp and am a Season Ticket holder. I cheer through the painfully bad times and the amazing glorious times. I am from the team of fans - my people. I am 13 because even though I cannot be on the field my support is loud and clear and unwavering from my living room chair or my seat in section 126.
Years pass, players change and numbers change but we can hold those special times in our hearts and minds always. Free Agency opens at noon Valentine's Day Eve aka February 13th. I like the sound of that number.
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