Murray Wood: 'One of the worst' should be on hats and T-shirts in Canada
U.S. President Donald Trump called Canada "one of the worst" this week, saying that soon we will come to him t...
Kicker Brett Lauther wasn’t expecting to wear Saskatchewan Roughriders colours again.
The Truro, N.S., product was traded from the Ottawa Redblacks to the Saskatchewan Roughriders hours before the CFL trade deadline on Wednesday. Lauther spent eight seasons in Saskatchewan but he was released after struggles on the field last season.
“It’s crazy to be sitting here after just a few months ago with everything. It’s a testament to (Jeremy O’Day) and (Corey) Mace and everyone in the organization. I come back, and nothing has skipped a beat,” Lauther said. “Going over to (Ottawa) in the first place, I was like, ‘See if you still got it.’ I felt like I did, so that’s why I wanted to go and see. But if I didn’t, I could retire in peace.”
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With kicker Alex Hale struggling and Dawson Hodge lacking CFL playoff experience, the Riders elected to make the deal for the veteran kicker.
“It’s been a crazy 24 hours, but very thankful to be here right now,” Lauther said. “I didn’t see it coming, really. I was planning the last couple days and joking with my wife about being home for Halloween for the first time.”
Lauther has been one of the best kickers in the CFL, hitting 32 of his 34 field goal attempts this season (94.1 per cent). He admitted it is bittersweet leaving Ottawa.
“Coming back here, I couldn’t be happier. But you leave, and you make a lot of relationships over there. I’m very thankful for the Redblacks organization. They gave me a chance to play football this year and probably forever in debt to those guys,” Lauther said.
Lauther has always appreciated the Riders organization for giving him the shot to be the team’s kicker back in 2018.
“They stuck with me for a lot longer than they should have a few different times,” Lauther said. “Just trying to put my best foot forward and hopefully make some people proud.”
Lauther will not be playing this week, as the team goes with Hodge for another game. The kicker has hit all five of his field goal attempts this season, but only has a long of 33 yards.
Linebacker Josh Woods (ankle) and wide receiver Daniel Wiebe (head) return to the lineup this week. Saskatchewan will also deploy two American running backs this week, as Quali Conley will back up A.J. Ouellette. Conley could also be called upon in the return game, as James Letcher Jr. (shoulder) and defensive end Derick Roberson (knee) are not playing.
Defensive back Tevaughn Campbell returned to the practice field this week but remains out with a forearm injury.
Saskatchewan will host the Calgary Stampeders on Friday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 5:30 p.m.
