Listen to daily commentary from program director Murray Wood
Murray Wood says the federal NDP seems to be heading for a political wipe out, as the left-leaning vote seems to be goin...
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are hoping for big things in 2025.
General manager Jeremy O’Day and head coach Corey Mace have been working hard to get the roster in shape ahead of the team’s 2025 training camp.
While a few new faces will join the CFL club this season, a familiar one coming back will be slotback Shawn Bane Jr.
The pass-catcher suffered a season-ending knee injury late last season in Week 17 against the Ottawa Redblacks.
The 29-year-old joined The Green Zone with Jamie Nye and Locker on Thursday to discuss the upcoming season.
Listen to the interview here:
THE GREEN ZONE: A lot of good feelings about the Saskatchewan Roughriders going into 2025. How good are you feeling about the work they’ve done this offseason?
BANE JR.: It is going to be special. Very strategic moves, and we’ve got some great dudes. Kept a lot of the guys that were already there in-house. Just the same guys and familiar faces. We know the work ethic, we know everything we need to do. It’s going to be special.
Six months away from the injury, how was rehab? Can you give us a breakdown on that? And are you going to be ready for camp?
BANE JR.: Rehab is going beautiful. Technically I’m close to five months post-operation, but since it happened, six months. I’m able to jog. I got my knee brace fitted, and I would say I’m close to 75 per cent. Strength is really well. They’re waiting on me to actually get to cutting and doing the things that I do, but overall the leg, the knee, everything is good. We’re in line and we’re firing on all cylinders. You might have to wait and see if I’m ready for camp. I don’t know if I can tell you that.
In 2024 there is injury and personal grief. How important is it for you to get out there in 2025 and have a bit of a redemption year?
BANE JR.: So major. Sometimes you don’t have to attack it that way, but for me it’s exactly that. I just want to show people that adversity isn’t going to stop me. That’s in the back of my brain.
Is there a game you’re excited about?
BANE JR.: I’m always excited for Labour Day. Obviously (playing) my previous team in Calgary (Stampeders).
Can you really describe what has gone on since Corey Mace took over?
BANE JR.: I’m going to be honest, one major piece is simply belief. Guys believe not only in themselves, but the coaching that we are receiving. (Mace) is a really stand-up guy and comes to the locker room and to the facility every day the same way. That consistency alone is something to look up to, so the fact that he knows what he’s doing – he hired the coaches around him to also follow suit with that – and just made guys believe. Believe in the scheme, believe in the coaching, believe in ourselves, and just believe that we can be a championship team. Obviously we got close last year, but that’s what I would say: just simply belief.
Riders head coach Corey Mace was the CFL West Division nominee for coach of the year after the 2024 season. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)
You’re going to come into camp and you’re going to be like, ‘Oh, there’s Marc Mueller over there, and Corey Mace and Jake Maier and, oh, wait a second, Mike Rose is over there.’ Are you having déjà vu to your days in Calgary?
BANE JR.: I figured we were going to sign Jake, because it’s Jake and I know (Mueller) loves Jake, but I was over the moon. I reached out to Jake like ‘”Yo, whenever you they hand you the reins, let’s do this.” Once we signed Mike Rose, I was like, “I don’t even know if we needed Mike Rose,” but the fact that he’s a super great addition. He will be great for the locker room and being able to be a jokester and be himself, so I think that’ll be really good. I’m excited.
Can you tell us a little bit about what Trevor (Harris) brings to the team as a whole?
BANE JR.: Trev is a pro’s pro. Trev does everything the way it’s supposed to be. He’s a true leader. He stands up and he knows what to say. Obviously been in the game for over a decade. His ability to be comfortable enough to embrace everybody on their walks of life. He’s never too cool for anybody or vice versa. The fact that he can embrace everybody and understand everybody’s skill set and just get everybody on the same page, I think that’s what separates him from a ton of people.
How important is he to that belief that Corey Mace has brought in? Is he kind of that extra voice and coach on the field and in the meeting rooms when the coaches aren’t around?
BANE JR.: He’s exactly that. He’s himself. It’s not like he’s forcing himself to do it, and it’s all organic. So when you have a guy like that, it’s easy to follow suit. It’s the little things – he got us bracelets. One side says “don’t flinch” and then the other side says “build it.” We’re building something special. Although adversity will strike, because no matter what it will, we don’t need to flinch. So he does a ton of small things like that.
Editor’s Note: The questions and answers have been edited for length and clarity.
