Murray Wood The end of the great Canadian game as we know it
The last Roughrider home game was the last CFL game in Saskatchewan played on a CFL-sized field. Murray Wood thinks it's...
Credit the Saskatchewan Roughriders with doing things right over the past few days. On the field and off.
On-field they beat the first-place Calgary Stampeders 29-24. Quarterback Zach Collaros, offensive coordinator Stephen McAdoo and receiver Jordan Williams-Lambert executed a game plan that kept alive Saskatchewan’s hope of holding a home playoff game. And the Roughriders won with a lineup depleted by injuries and a suspension to defensive end Charleston Hughes.
After being charged with impaired driving, Hughes was initially expected to remain unpunished on Saskatchewan’s roster.
A community-owned franchise, which prides itself in partnering with SGI’s “Safe Ride” program as part of this province’s attack on impaired driving, ultimately realized it needed to make a statement. Prompted by the CFL office and the Roughriders hierarchy, Saskatchewan’s coaching staff acquiesced.
Hughes went on the one-game injury list, was paid a full salary but lost half his game cheque as part of the maximum, team-imposed fine he was assessed for not co-operating with police. Both outcomes were justified.
