Riders’ Ratkovich achieves pro football dream in CFL

Clint Ratkovich is achieving his pro football dream in the CFL after a serious injury left him out of the NFL.

The Crete, IL, fullback was at a pre-draft workout with the Green Bay Packers when he suffered a torn ACL.

“It was one of those situations where you just couldn’t believe it. I never – knock on wood – had a major injury in my life playing football, which is a blessing on its own,” the 26-year-old rusher said.

“It took me about five minutes to realize what even happened. I went in there and got an MRI and they told me the news. I was sad for a few minutes, but then it was just what I was going to do get better. From there it’s playing out the future and work on getting back.”

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Instead of hearing his name called in the 2022 NFL Draft, he watched it unfold with a brace on his leg.

“It was tough, but I think it just put another chip on my shoulder and made me look a little harder to get back and prove I belong there,” Ratkovich said.

Now, he’s finally achieved his dream of playing in the professional ranks in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. After signing with the team in February and putting on a strong performance at training camp and during the preseason, Ratkovich made the team’s active roster for the season opener against the Edmonton Elks. Kickoff for the game is set for 2 p.m.

“It’s the greatest feeling in the world,” Ratkovich said. “It’s the game I’ve played since five years old growing up. To play at the highest level, it’s an honour.”

It’s a journey that Ratkovich started when his older cousin first introduced him to the sport.

“My cousin, he was 10 years older than me and he was playing high school ball when I was getting into it, and was able to play college football. He got me and my brother into it, and we just kind of rode the wave from there,” Ratkovich said.

When he reached the college ranks at Western Illinois, he became known as a “superback” – a running back and fullback hybrid that can do a bit of everything.

“(I) just try to be a versatile player,” he said.

“It’s one thing to play multiple positions, but it’s tough to be good at all of them, so I pride myself on that and just learn to get better every day.”

He suited up for 35 games at Western Illinois, recording 429 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 97 carries. He also caught 128 passes for 1,204 yards and 10 touchdowns.

He then spent a season at Northern Illinois, where he rushed for 448 yards and 12 touchdowns on 98 attempts, while adding 13 receptions for 113 yards and two touchdowns over 13 games.

While he never got drafted, he did eventually sign with the Atlanta Falcons, spending most of 2023 camp and preseason with them.

“I was able to get back from the ACL in about five-and-a-half to six months, so I just worked my tail off. Thank God they gave me the opportunity, and I just ran with it,” Ratkovich said.

But it was the CFL that offered him the opportunity when the Riders contacted his agent about joining the club.

“There were some Riders guys at the East-West Bowl when I was there, so they were able to scout my a little bit. I got the call from them and the agent said it and I was like, ‘Hell yeah, let’s head up to Canada and play some football,’” Ratkovich said.

“I knew about the league a little bit, just not too much about the rules and the rule differences. That was tough to pick up at first, but now I have the hang of it. I think there are some advantages you can take with all the motions we have been trying to use and exploit on some defences. I love it.”

He’ll look to help the Green and White start 2024 off with a win when they take the field in Edmonton.

“I’m ecstatic,” Ratkovich said.

I’m ready to go out there and lay it all on the line and do everything we can to get the win out there.”