‘They’re all going through it together’: Sask. Roughriders GM speaks on Jayden Dalke death

Thoughts and messages

O’Day said people had been reaching out non-stop – former teammates and coaches, family and friends, as well as other CFL teams.

“The amount of people that have reached out to us, it’s kind of overwhelming. (It’s) what the community and the CFL is all about, you know, teams that you don’t get along with, how they reach out in a time like this is quite humbling,” said O’Day.

Tributes for late Roughriders linebacker Jayden Dalke started popping up at Mosaic Stadium early Monday morning. Jul. 20, 2026 (Abby Zieverink/980 CJME)

The team cancelled practice on Sunday after the news came out, but O’Day said many of the players still got together. He said they’ve also been stopping at Dalke’s locker and spending some time there as well.

“We’re trying to figure out what’s going to be best for the team and for the family, and to do everything the way we should, and do it the right way, and consider everyone’s feelings and how they’re grieving,” said O’Day.

The team will have a tribute for Dalke ahead of the game on Thursday and will wear his initials on their helmets. O’Day said anything more will be announced ahead of the game.

Remembering a teammate

The team’s GM said he wants Dalke to be remembered as someone who gave everything he could for the team.

“He was never about himself ever; he was always about the team. He wanted to do good for the team. You could tell that he wanted everyone to be proud of him, but he also wasn’t looking for attention,” said O’Day.

Rider’s VP of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O’Day spoke solemnly Monday morning about Jayden Dalke. Jul. 20, 2026 (Britton Gray/980 CJME)

He remembered Dalke’s performance at the CFL combine, saying he went into it when he wasn’t 100 per cent. O’Day said most players in that situation won’t compete, but Dalke did.

“It kind of told us that you got a guy that’s willing to do whatever he has to to try to compete, so that meant a lot,” he said.

The team was set to practice soon after O’Day spoke. He said they’d considered a lot of things, including postponing the game.

“We had some time yesterday to spend away from it, and I think the guys all, in their mind, they felt that Jayden would want us to get back to work,” said O’Day.

“And I think knowing that is going to help the guys go back out and try to focus as much as they can on preparing for a game, and I think that’s the way Jayden would want it.”

Dalke’s career

The 30-year-old linebacker was the team’s sixth-round selection (54th overall) in the 2022 CFL Draft.

He suited up for 68 games over five seasons, recording 69 tackles, 31 special teams tackles, a sack, an interception and three forced fumbles.

Prior to joining the Riders, the Leduc, Alta. athlete played in 16 games over three seasons at the University of Alberta. He recorded 94 tackles, three interceptions, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in a Golden Bears uniform. In 2021, he was named a Canada West First-Team All-Star and a U Sports Second-Team All-Canadian.

In 2019, he was a unanimous choice as a Canada West First-Team All-Star.

He also played with the Prairie Football Conference’s Edmonton Wildcats from 2015-18.

– With files from 980 CJME’s Britton Gray, and Lisa Schick[/vc_column_text]