Labour Day Classic No. 60 on Sunday will be special for Saskatchewan Roughriders' offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick on many levels.
In 2015, Hardrick’s first start with the Riders was in the Labour Day Classic. A decade later, he still remembers that initial outing at Taylor Field.
“It was a great day. We were oh-and-something and it was our first win of the year. Everyone said when I first got in, the only thing that mattered was Labour Day. I didn't know what it meant in 2015, but after being in the league for about 10, 11 years now, I know what it means and I’m blessed to be still able to play the game.”
This year, Hardrick will play against Winnipeg for the first time since spending seven seasons in the Manitoba capital. As a visitor on Labour Day with the Blue Bombers, the Batesville, Mississippi native said there was no mistaking the atmosphere.
“It's mayhem on the field. You can barely hear anything, the fans love on their team here hard. When I say love their team hard, it's like the noise you hear is them loving on each other, loving on the team, you hear it on Labour Day.”
In the trenches, the six-foot-four, 315-pound Hardrick will lineup against Bombers' defensive lineman Willie Jefferson. Hardrick admits it will be tough for multiple reasons.
“My kids call him uncle, he's a great uncle — Willie and I are close. It's weird going against somebody whom I really love. It's weird that we still talk all the time and are about to go against each other, but I'm looking forward to it.”
Personal relationship aside, Hardrick knows what has made Jefferson a dominant force in the CFL.
“Willie's a worker. Willie was the first one in, last one to leave. Always working out. A great man, husband, father, and friend.”
Hardrick admits he needs to find a way to approach the match-up with his former team like any other game.
“I'm going to try to take the number and the name off of them. I can't think about them as juniors or uncles, can't think about them as the guys who showed up to the hospital when I had my kids. I have to think about them as the opponent. Major respect to everyone over there. Let’s do it in green.”
The Riders host Winnipeg for the 60th Labour Day Classic on Sunday. Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk, and Wes Cates bring you the pre-game show at 2 p.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 5 p.m. Listen or watch our comprehensive coverage at the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
