HUGHES BACK WITH RIDERS IN 2020
Saskatchewan Roughriders stars Charleston Hughes and Brett Lauther were two of the featured speakers at Friday’s 60th Annual Saskatoon Kinsmen Sports Celebrity Dinner.
During a 10-minute Q&A on stage, Hughes addressed one of the top questions in the Rider Nation this off-season.
“Everybody’s been asking whether I’m gonna be a Rider again next year,” Hughes said. “But I will officially say that yeah, I will officially be a Rider again next year.”
The pro-Rider crowd roared with approval.
The 36-year old Saginaw, MI product has led the CFL in sacks in each of the past four seasons – the last two with Saskatchewan. However his named appeared on at least two pending free agent lists across the CFL this winter.
That speculation is now put to bed.
During the interview Lauther touched on 2020 Touchdown Atlantic featuring the Riders and Argos on July 25 in Halifax, has walk-off field goal in the 2019 Labour Day Classic and his inspiring story of perseverance to get to the CFL. Hughes talked about playing for Saskatchewan versus playing for Calgary, his affection for Chris Jones and the origin of his famed sack dance.
Also speaking at Friday’s event were Hockey Hall of Fame goaltenders Ed Belfour, Martin Brodeur, Grant Fuhr, Bernie Parent and Glenn Hall along with MC Darren Pang.
I can say I’m glad Hughes is back but I have serious concerns how much he has left, regardless of what he’s done the last 4 seasons. I keep saying it & Farhan Lalji has confirmed it. Hervey is in on Micah Johnson big time & unless the Riders step up to match after this weekend he could be gone. Very good chance Derel Walker is on his way to BC as well according to Farhan. Johnson would be a huge loss & my gut feeling is matching the BC offer may not be enough. Apparently Elimimian may be heading… Read more »
Wow that’s quite a talented lineup at the Saskatoon dinner. Good for the Kinsmen for keeping this alive and well. I think the Riders are going to have to manage Hughes’ playing time this year. In a perfect world I’d like to see them with a 5 man rotation which may or may not be doable or limit him to a certain number of snaps per game. When he’s strong and rested he’s still a bull.
While I am glad Hughes is back, the only reason this was a topic is from bad reporting. Hughes was never a pending free agent. The “insider” got it wrong and Regina media just went with it.
I am hoping Hughes can help rewrite the narrative about age of players in the CFL. Hockey is a similarly physically demanding sport where it is not rare for players to contribute into their late 30’s. Why should football be any different? I’m guessing it is mostly a salary issue and competing non-athletic careers that actually pay more.