‘They helped us get through this’: Riders welcome back fans to practice

For the first time since 2019, the Saskatchewan Roughriders got to hear the cheers of fans.

About 100 members of Rider Nation made their way to Mosaic Stadium to watch the CFL training camp action on Saturday.

“It was exciting. You could tell a lot of guys had some juice, especially as you get through a week of training camp, there was a lot more juice in practice, a little bit more competitive than I think anyone expected,” said quarterback Cody Fajardo. “To complete a ball or someone makes a good play and to hear fans cheering again, it’s pretty special.

“I never thought I’d see (fans in the stands) if you would have talked to me six or seven months ago so that was very exciting for all of us to see and be a part of.”

And as practice was coming to an end, head coach Craig Dickenson had the team turn and salute the fans who made the trek out to watch them.

“It just seemed like the right thing to do. They helped us get through this pandemic and helped us in big ways and we’re not out there if it isn’t for the fans so just to have them in the building and to hear their energy and just see them out there, it just seemed like the right thing to do,” Dickenson said. “I think the players felt the same way so we wanted to make sure Rider Nation and the fans know how much we care about them and how glad we are to have them back in the building.”

It was the first time fans could enter Mosaic Stadium to watch the Riders since Nov. 17, 2019 – the CFL’s west division final. With the 2020 season being cancelled, the 20-13 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was the most recent on-field memories Rider fans had.

While wide receiver Mitch Picton didn’t look up to the stands to see them, he knew his family would be in the stands.

“I know my niece and nephew were out and my cousin Noah and my parents and my grandparents as well, there was a pretty good fan base there,” Picton said. “Its been a long haul with COVID and growing up here, I understand how much this team means to this community. I’m sure that the fans were fired up to come out and watch some football and it’s also pretty great for us as well. Stands have been empty thus far in camp and hearing a couple cheers, it was nice.”

Fajardo said he can tell fans are ready for some football ahead of the Aug. 6 season-opener against the B.C. Lions.

“Every time I go on social media, I see something about the excitement about Aug. 6. That’s what you want to be a part of and that’s part of the reason I love this community and love playing for this football team so much,” Fajardo said. “I want to do everything I can in my power to bring them a lot of excitement in 2021, hopefully a lot of points as well and victories because I know a lot of people have been missing it.”

And Fajardo thinks he will be able to perform to that high level expected.

“I think I’m having my best camp I’ve ever had in the CFL to tell you the truth. I was a little nervous at first with a new offence and being out for a year-and-a-half,” Fajardo said. “I think I’m completing the ball at a very high number right now and made a lot of good throws in my opinion. I’m very excited about the camp I’m putting forward and just all the hard work I put in with coach (Jason Maas).”

The Riders won’t practice on Sunday. The team will hit the field again on Monday.

Notes

Defensive back Ed Gainey was given Saturday off. Defensive back Nick Marshall and running back William Powell and receiver Jake Harty were also given the day off due to soreness … Defensive end Keion Adams has a knee bruise and he is expected to return on Monday. … Defensive lineman Micah Johnson (knee) was out of practice again on Saturday. Dickenson said they want to ensure he is ready to go for Aug. 6 … Offensive lineman Mattland Riley has a strained oblique. Dickenson doesn’t know how long he will be out for … Defensive end Jordan Reaves (achilles tendon tightness) is expected to return on Monday … Wide receiver Carlos Henderson and defensive lineman Sterling Shippy arrived to Saskatchewan on Saturday and will begin a seven-day quarantine before they can join the team on the field.