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Thursday marked the final day of practice during the Riders 2021 CFL training camp.
While he’s been to many NFL and CFL training camps in his career, 39-year-old Jon Ryan is still finding joy in it, especially after a year-and-a-half away from football.
“There’s definitely more yesterdays than tomorrows in my career, that’s for sure, going on 18 years. I think that’s part of the reason I’m just taking it all in, just enjoying it and just having a lot of fun – having more fun this year than I’ve ever had before. That’s part of it knowing there’s not too many of these left,” the punter said. “I’m here to have fun. Winning is fun so we have to win some games but when the fun stops, then I’ll be done.”
Saskatchewan Roughriders punter Jon Ryan during training camp practice on July 27, 2021. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)
Despite a camp filled with restrictions and smouldering days, members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders found joy in returning to the field.
Thursday marked the final day of practice during the Riders 2021 CFL training camp.
While he’s been to many NFL and CFL training camps in his career, 39-year-old Jon Ryan is still finding joy in it, especially after a year-and-a-half away from football.
“There’s definitely more yesterdays than tomorrows in my career, that’s for sure, going on 18 years. I think that’s part of the reason I’m just taking it all in, just enjoying it and just having a lot of fun – having more fun this year than I’ve ever had before. That’s part of it knowing there’s not too many of these left,” the punter said. “I’m here to have fun. Winning is fun so we have to win some games but when the fun stops, then I’ll be done.”
Regina / 980 CJME
Jul 28, 2021 | 5:50 PM
Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver Paul McRoberts during a drill at training camp on July 28, 2021. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)
Paul McRoberts is growing tired of waiting his turn.
The 28-year-old was with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams from 2016-17 and has been with the Saskatchewan Roughriders since 2019.
But despite all that time on pro rosters, McRoberts has mostly been a practice roster player, only appearing in two regular season games (both in 2016 with the Rams).
“A guy like me who has been on the practice squad for a long time, you sort of fall (into the mindset) of, ‘Oh, I’m OK being on the practice squad,’ or, ‘Oh, as long as I’m playing ball,’ but I told myself I’m over that,” McRoberts told media over a Zoom call Wednesday. “I’m tired of being on the practice squad … I know I can help this team.
The 26-year-old worked in executive protection and private security, and as a bounty hunter in Atlanta.
“I had gotten my degree in criminal justice and a minor in sociology so just started to get experience in that field. They always tell you football isn’t forever and I was starting to go through that phase. I knew that I still had passion and love for the game so if I was to get back into it, I didn’t want to go into that next step without that experience once football is done,” Adams told media after Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp earlier in the month. “It kept me in shape with the running and hand-to-hand combat and all that types of things.”