‘I was coming back home’: Regina always held special place in Brayden Lenius’ heart

No matter where Brayden Lenius has gone in his football career, things always seem to come back to Saskatchewan.

Lenius was born in Regina while his dad, Troy Dickey, was a member of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“I was only in Regina until I was about the age of three or four and then that is when I moved out to B.C.,” Lenius said. “I would always come back in the summertime.

“So every summer up until about ninth grade, I would spend my summers coming to (Riders) games and being at practice because my cousin was a crew manager so I was always around the boys during summertime.”

But once Lenius got older, his time in the Queen City became more scarce. The slotback/tight end spent his college career with the Washington Huskies and New Mexico Lobos.

But again, it was the team in green and white that ended up taking Lenius in the second round (15th overall) of the 2019 CFL draft.

“It’s incredible. I was actually at the (San Francisco 49ers’) mini-camp so I didn’t see (the draft) live because I was in meetings. I only saw it late on my phone,” Lenius said.

“My grandfather had just passed a month before that and they were season-ticket holders and it was pretty emotional to see I was coming back home. This means more to me than the average person because I grew up around these guys and around this team so it was pretty emotional. It was pretty special.”

Lenius came into the CFL built more like a tight end than a wide receiver; he showed up to training camp at around 240 pounds.

While he dressed for 11 games in his rookie season, Lenius only had two catches for four yards in 2019.

But with the 2020 season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and lockdowns enforced in much of the country, Lenius once again had Regina calling him back home.

So the 24-year-old decided to pack up his belongings and travel back to the Queen City.

“I set my goal. Coming back here – everything was shut down in B.C. because of COVID – and it worked out perfect that (Mosaic Stadium) was open and I had to come back,” Lenius said. “Also my girlfriend is here too so I had to be back. I can’t be away from her for too long.”

Lenius spent much of his time off training with other Saskatchewan players in the city, including fellow receiver Mitch Picton and offensive lineman Logan Ferland.

“Everything worked out perfect. We got the work in day in and day out and it was quiet and it was long, long days,” Lenius said.

Lenius also completely changed his diet, becoming a pescatarian, meaning the only meat he eats is fish.

That led to him dropping 26 pounds and he showed up to 2021 camp weighing 213 pounds.

And all the work he put in, along with Picton and Ferland, was noticed by the coaches, with all three of them earning starting spots for the Riders in Week 1 against the B.C. Lions.

“If there’s any message that needs to be said to the team, it’s that those three guys (had a good camp) and look at how much they’ve improved and it isn’t because they changed what socks they wore or wore a different shirt, it’s because they worked hard, they ate well and they trained,” head coach Craig Dickenson said.

Lenius made the most of his opportunity, hauling in all three passes thrown his way for 25 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter of the Riders’ 33-29 win over the Lions on Aug. 6.

He said all the hard work he put in, and cutting all that weight, is what allowed him to have a good start to the season.

“Our first couple drives, those were long drives and we were kind of huffing and puffing a bit, but you settle in and get used to it,” Lenius said. “With my weight drop, it’s night and day. I wouldn’t be able to do what I did this first game and in training camp without cutting that weight.

“I feel even stronger than when I was at 240, I don’t think that was all good weight. I feel way stronger and feel a lot better.”

And his emotions were on full display after catching his touchdown.

He channelled his inner quarterback and launched the ball into the stands, with one lucky fan on the receiving end of the pass.

But while Lenius didn’t expect to see the ball from his first pro touchdown again, there is going to be a happy reunion.

“I think the football found me. I had a bunch of people from Rider Nation hit me up and say they knew the people who had the ball so I should be getting it back this weekend or the weekend after,” Lenius said. “Mom is definitely happy to have it back too for the shrine room.

“I’ll get a couple signed things from the boys and myself. I have some other small things I can give to them. Getting that ball back is huge; it’s my first career touchdown.”

And after the first game of 2021, Lenius is taking it all in as he takes the next steps in his pro career.

“I didn’t fall asleep until like 4 a.m. (after the game) because I was watching the film and trying to digest what happened,” he said. “It was incredible. Running out of that tunnel, there’s no feeling like it. It was pretty emotional just after all the work that led into those moments.”