Ryder Varga has heard the playful joke countless times since he signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in May. Not that he minds it one bit.
The yuk goes a little something like this: “Do you know you’re a Ryder for the Riders, right? That’s pretty cool.”
His typical response: “I know. I realized that.”
Laugher then ensues.
Varga might have heard the joke many, many times, but he’s the only one.
That’s because Varga will become the first Ryder (or Rider) to ever suit up for the Riders when he makes his 2026 season debut at linebacker in Saturday’s rematch against the Edmonton Elks.
Despite being born in Regina into a family of football fans, Varga wasn’t named after the green and white CFL team. Instead, he revealed, he got the name from the popular truck rental company.
“Maybe I’ll get my parents to go back and readjust the reason they named me Ryder,” the 27-year-old said, jokingly.
Regardless of how he got his name or how it’s spelled, Varga can’t wait to make his debut for the Riders.
A knee injury has kept the 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker sidelined since September. That injury also caused his last team, the Toronto Argonauts, to release him at the end of April. He used the words “long” and “monotonous” to describe the rehab process.
“It’s like a very, very lonely road getting injured,” Varga said. “You’re by yourself long, long days. The light at the end of the tunnel has got to be worth it for you. For me, it’s the chance to play in the CFL for the home team that made it all worth it.”
Varga is about to play for his third team in three seasons. He was with the B.C. Lions in 2023 and 2024.
He’s had to get used to moving around, something that “takes a toll, but it’s part of the job.”
That’s why coming home felt different for the former Regina Ram. His said his mom cried when he told her he’d signed with the Riders.
“I’m happy it finally happened,” Varga said. “I feel like it was destined.”
Varga said there’s a chip on his shoulder because the Argos released him, but he’s trying not to worry about that right now.
“I’m trying to be my best version for the Riders and for myself,” he said.
That starts Saturday when he gets to play for the same team he grew up rooting for through thick and thin. He’s about to wear the same uniform as “legends” like Weston Dressler, Andy Fantuz, and Stevie Baggs Jr.
He’s counting down the days.
“So many core memories I had as a child. You’re in their shoes now,” Varga said. “It’s just surreal to think about.”
