‘It was distasteful’: Riders legend Darian Durant believes Ed Hervey’s CFL superstar statement can affect Edmonton Elks

By:  Allan Ly

Saskatchewan Roughriders legend Darian Durant understands where Ed Hervey’s coming from but felt him stating the CFL does not have any superstar players was disrespectful.

“You don’t want to step on the league that gives you your livelihood. I don’t like it — it was distasteful. There really isn’t a transcendent type of player in the league right now, so I could see both sides,” Durant told The SportsCage.

“It’s tough because if you’re looking for a generational player, I think the league hasn’t seen one of those since Anthony Calvillo or Ricky Ray.”

Amid the backlash, the Edmonton Elks’ general manager clarified his superstar definition on The Jason Gregor Show.

“A superstar for me was Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan, that’s all. That’s really it. Guys that are known globally. It gets to a point where people’s feelings get hurt when you say certain things, you gotta go back, correct it and make sure that people hear the right thing,” Hervey said.

“I do not think that our league doesn’t have really good players. I believe our league has excellent players. I think that we have players who play at a high level and that’s why I’m very proud of this league.”

While Durant understands both sides, he explains how Hervey’s comment could affect the team the former CFL receiver runs in Edmonton.

“It’s questionable for guys who are entering that organization to really feel like you have the support and backing of the higher-ups,” Durant said. “When you say things like that, it definitely makes guys think twice about wanting to prolong or wanting to begin their career in a place like that.”

Durant shares his player view for other athletes who are considering signing or re-signing with the Elks in the future.

“As an athlete, let’s say you’re in your fourth, fifth year in the league, now you’re entering a situation where it’s time for you to get paid — really get paid — and you want to get paid like the upper echelon guys. Think about the Edmonton Elks and Ed Hervey, the things that he said. You’re going to be like: ‘Should I even go there where a GM says that?'” Durant questioned.

“Do you even want to have a guy like that as your boss? You’ll feel like he’ll give you a year or two, if you don’t do what he thinks you should do, he’ll get you out of there. You could have the worst team in the world, but you’re supposed to come out in the media and say how good you are and say how you believe in your players. If a GM says something like that, as an athlete, you think twice about it.”