Roughriders’ Hickson tasting success in CFL

Saskatchewan Roughriders tailback Frankie Hickson has found a recipe for success in the CFL.

Hickson, who owns a baking company with his mom, has always had a sweet tooth. His mom appealed to that affinity by baking him a tray of cookies to trade for the football from his first CFL touchdown, a 63-yard scamper in Friday’s 28-13 win over the visiting Ottawa Redblacks.

Mind you, she was probably getting the memento anyways.

“If not, she would probably hurt other people to get the ball,” said Hickson, who referenced his mom’s cookies during a halftime interview Friday. “That’s the type of mom I have. She is very supportive.”

Hickson admitted his sweet tooth is “really bad” — so much so that he joked a significant weight gain could have been possible.

“You guys wouldn’t expect me to be a running back or anything. You guys would think I’m an O-lineman or something,” Hickson said with a chuckle. “Don’t tell them I said that, though.”

The 25-year-old running back has found some sweet success so far in Canada.

Hickson leads all CFL rushers who have at least 10 carries with an 8.3-yard average per carry.

He’s also fifth in the league with 216 yards rushing — teammate Jamal Morrow leads the way with 335 yards — and on Friday, Hickson scored his first major since 2019 as a member of the Liberty University Flames.

“People will say it doesn’t get better than the high school ball because of the camaraderie (or) it doesn’t get better than college ball because of the ambience. A pro touchdown here in Saskatchewan is just different,” Hickson said.

When Hickson scored the touchdown, Morrow ran from the Roughriders’ bench into the end zone to congratulate his rookie teammate.

“That was huge. I wish I could have celebrated with him more but I was really fatigued, I was tired and trying to catch my breath,” Hickson said. “He’s a great teammate and an even better partner in crime.

“Everything we do, I say he’s Mario and I’m Luigi.”

Hickson and Morrow will look to add to their seasons Saturday against the Toronto Argonauts in the Touchdown Atlantic game. Kickoff for the game in Wolfville N.S., is set for noon. The Green Zone pre-game show begins at 10 a.m.

It means a lot to get back to playing football for Hickson, who was away from the game for more than 900 days. He had two pro days at Liberty during the COVID-19 pandemic but didn’t get drafted by an NFL team.

“(I was) struggling with even wanting to play anymore. I just worked on my craft for a whole year,” Hickson said. “I did pro day again and still nothing, so I worked on my craft again.

“I said I’d give myself one more year and that’s it; I’ll hang them up. By the time I got (to Saskatchewan), I couldn’t recognize myself.

“It’s just hard work and effort and perseverance and just never giving up. Always follow your dreams to the end of it.”