The Saskatchewan Roughriders will be leaving Winnipeg with some hardware.
On Thursday night, during the Canadian Football League’s annual awards gala, veteran American offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, becoming only the fifth Rider in franchise history to receive the honour.
For the 35-year-old, now in his 11th CFL season, the moment carried weight, a lot of it.
“It really doesn't feel real. I’ve been in this league a while, seen some guys I look up to chase this thing. Doesn't even feel like I'm holding it, but happy, man. And let's go get this one on Sunday.”
The six-foot-four, 315-pound tackle earned 38 out of 53 first-place votes. It’s the first Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman win of his career, something even he wasn’t sure was possible after being carted off the field last season.
“I didn't even think I'd be playing again because I got carted off, but man, I'm happy. It shows me that hard work works. My kids saw me do a lot, saw me when I couldn't do a lot. If you work hard enough, you can get back if you want.”
Hardrick joins an exclusive Saskatchewan club:
- Roger Aldag (1986)
- Andrew Greene (2003) – the first American Rider to win the award
- Gene Makowsky (2004, 2005)
- Brendon LaBatte (2013)
Now, you can add “Yoshi” Hardrick to the list.
True to form, he didn’t want full credit. When he first learned he was the Riders’ nominee, Hardrick was adamant that teammate Logan Ferland deserved a longer look.
“I mean, I'm not okay,” he joked. “I mean I was on a good O-line. Anybody could have got it, and I love Logan. Me and Logan have a lot of fun together. Anybody could have got it on our line.”
The award show being held in Winnipeg, a city where Hardrick spent six seasons, made the night even more meaningful.
“No, but it's great that it happened in Winnipeg because my kids played for the Fort Garry Lions. My kids went to school here and went to all our favourite places to eat, so we had fun all week.”
He also admitted that as a long-time CFL fan, the moment felt surreal.
“I've been in those stands watching people, and I've been watching the CFL award show for a while,” Hardrick said. “I always dreamed of this and woke up and it happened today.”
Other CFL award winners
- B.C. Lions QB Nathan Rourke captured the George Reed Most Outstanding Player award and Top Canadian, completing one of the most decorated seasons ever by a Canadian quarterback.
- His teammate, Mathieu Betts, was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Trey Vaval earned both the Most Outstanding Special Teams Player and Most Outstanding Rookie awards.
But for Rider Nation, Thursday belonged to Jermarcus Hardrick — a leader, a veteran, a comeback story, and now, officially, the best offensive lineman in Canadian football.
And as he reminded everyone, the week isn’t over.
“Let’s go get this one on Sunday.”
