Every game, don’t miss Barney Shynkaruk’s Behind the Facemask — a closer look at your favourite Saskatchewan Roughriders.
This week: Roughriders defensive back Marcus Sayles.
Barney Shynkaruk:
All right, it’s Behind the Facemask this week with Marcus Sayles.
Marcus, I think you might be the best free-agent signing the Riders have made in the last decade, but I want to go back to the beginning.
What’s your first football memory?
Marcus Sayles:
That's a good one.
One of my favourite memories was in high school.
My mom was able to come to one of my games at Chattahoochee High School, and it was really my first time getting a start there.
I picked up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown.
As I was running down the sideline, I could see my mom screaming and cheering.
That was a really cool moment.
Barney:
What other sports did you play growing up?
Marcus:
Honestly, football was my main sport.
I played a little flag football and soccer when I was younger, but football was really it.
Barney:
Let's talk about Chattahoochee High School.
We're up here in Saskatchewan, so people know the Alan Jackson song.
Did you guys ever use "Chattahoochee" as an entrance song?
Marcus:
I bet we probably did.
We had a great environment there, and our coaches always did a great job making things fun.
I'm not the biggest country music fan, but I'm pretty sure we heard it a few times.
Barney:
Did you play both sides of the ball in high school?
Marcus:
Yeah.
I played receiver and defensive back.
Barney:
What kind of receiver were you?
Marcus:
Honestly, I still think I could play receiver now.
I tell the receivers all the time that I'm the best route runner on the team.
I may not have the best hands, but I've definitely got the best routes.
Barney:
You've got one route to run at the end of the game.
What are you picking?
Marcus:
Give me a 15-yard dig route, and I'm cooking anybody.
Barney:
Most guys pick the go route.
Marcus:
Nah, I need the dig.
I need to run a real route.
Barney:
Let's go to college.
West Georgia.
Who holds the school record for blocked kicks?
Marcus:
That would be me.
I think I've got either 12 or 13 of them.
Barney:
What made you so good at blocking kicks?
Marcus:
Honestly, I was just really good at getting out of my breaks.
At the Division II level, many teams use slide protection, so I could get clean off the edge and get it.
Barney:
What did you study in school?
Marcus:
Psychology.
Barney:
Was that always the plan?
Marcus:
I've always been interested in how people think and how people feel.
I've always been fascinated by the brain, so psychology just felt right.
Barney:
Georgia guy.
Does that make the Atlanta Falcons your NFL team?
Marcus:
Actually, I'm a Dallas Cowboys fan.
I grew up watching Terrell Owens and those guys, so I stuck with Dallas.
Barney:
So 28-3 doesn't mean much to you then?
Marcus:
Oh, I remember it.
The city was going crazy that day.
But I'm a Cowboys fan.
Barney:
How does the CFL become an option for Marcus Sayles?
Marcus:
I was working out with one of my buddies, Brandon Burks, who used to play up here.
He asked if I knew I was on a CFL negotiation list.
I had no idea.
When my NFL opportunities ended, I asked my agent about it, and he told me that Winnipeg held my rights.
I said, "I'm down for whatever the next football opportunity is."
I've been up here ever since.
Barney:
Do you remember watching your first CFL game and thinking, "Okay, this is a little different"?
Marcus:
Yeah, I saw games on TV every once in a while in college, but honestly, the NFL was always the focus.
Now it's kind of surreal to think I've been up here almost eight years already.
It's been great.
Barney:
Other than Saskatchewan, what's your favourite stadium to play in?
Marcus:
Probably Winnipeg.
They've got a great crowd, and that place is always electric.
Even as the road team, it's a fun atmosphere.
Barney:
Let's give Rider Nation a look behind the curtain.
What does a home game day look like for Marcus Sayles?
Marcus:
I'll probably get up around seven.
I've got my little girl now, so I make sure she's taken care of first.
My wife and I will usually head to OEB for breakfast.
After that, I'll relax, maybe watch a film, and then head to the stadium a couple of hours before kickoff.
Once I'm here, it's hot tubs, stretching and getting ready for warm-ups.
Barney:
What's on the pregame playlist?
Marcus:
Rod Wave.
Any Rod Wave song, I know every word.
Barney:
Go back to being a kid.
Favourite video game?
Marcus:
Still the same today — Madden and College Football.
Call of Duty is up there too.
Barney:
Were you any good at Madden?
Marcus:
I think I'm probably the best on the team.
Barney:
Sounds like we need a tournament.
Marcus:
We definitely have one now and then.
Barney:
Favourite place to eat in Regina?
Marcus:
Street Culture Kidz.
The tacos are great.
The jerk chicken taco is my go-to.
Barney:
What about on the road?
Marcus:
Cactus Club.
There isn't one in Regina, so I always enjoy it on the road.
Barney:
Marcus Sayles, thanks for doing this.
Marcus:
Appreciate it.
Another edition of Behind the Facemask with Marcus Sayles.
