‘I was sacrificing the best two months this province has to offer’: LaBatte on 2021 decision

Brendon LaBatte is choosing to spend his summer on Saskatchewan’s lakes rather than inside a stadium filled with COVID-related restrictions.

LaBatte made the decision this past weekend to not take part in the 2021 season.

“We’re looking at the best two months that this province has for weather and I’m going to go camping, I’m going to hang out with my dad, I’m going to do a whole lot of other things besides sit in quarantine and not be able to go out for meals or do anything in your hometown when the province is going to be wide open,” the Saskatchewan Roughriders guard told media on Wednesday.

“That was really the biggest thing. I was on board with everything on the road not being able to see anybody and ordering in and no visiting restaurants there, but when it came to being in the hometown for six weeks until they re-evaluate (restrictions), it just seemed like I was sacrificing the best two months this province has to offer.”

He said the decision would be different if his kids – eight-year old Asha, six-year-old Bayne and two-year-old Everley — were younger.

“Time’s ticking for how long they find it cool to hang out and do all this family stuff,” LaBatte said.

LaBatte is a six-time CFL all-star and seems to be on his way into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame with 12 CFL seasons under his belt. Under current COVID restrictions, LaBatte said players will not be allowed to interact with anyone outside of the team and will not be able to leave approved facilities.

“The restrictions definitely forced me into it when you can’t even go to a restaurant or take your family out for an ice cream or do anything like that,” LaBatte said. “Essentially the ask has never been bigger to play and the reward has never been less.”

LaBatte said when he originally called general manager Jeremy O’Day, he didn’t expect to leave the door open to return in 2021 if restrictions are loosened.

“I don’t think there will be a spot available for me, I don’t think there will be a need for me, so I’d be very surprised if one of these young guys doesn’t pounce on (the starting spot),” LaBatte said, mentioning Logan Ferland as one of the prime candidates.

Ferland, who joined the team as a territorial junior after a stellar career with the Regina Thunder, will compete with recent free-agent signings Brett Boyko and Evan Johnson as well as CFL draft picks Mattland Riley and Logan Bandy to fill in as a Canadian replacement for the Weyburn product.

There also is a chance the Roughriders choose to approach the ratio differently and allow an American to take over.

“Those young guys are going to come in and do their thing,” LaBatte said.

He admitted the biggest hurdle he had to overcome was trying to come to terms with the fact he may have played in his final CFL game ever.

“Of all the ways that you potentially leave the game, this is probably one of the more satisfying ways you can,” LaBatte said. “You’re either injured or devalued and disrespected on your way out so to be still valued, still appreciated (and) still wanted is a good feeling I’m content with.”

But he is open to returning in 2022, if the Riders want him back, to try and raise the Grey Cup at home in Mosaic Stadium once again. He accomplished that very feat back in 2013.

“They’re going to put a new left guard on the field this year and then he’s going to be the incumbent come next year. I would be surprised but in the same sense if they were to bring me to camp, it’s the same as always — you’ve got to go out and earn your spot,” LaBatte said.

“The 2022 Grey Cup here has big sentimental value to me. That would be huge to try and relive the glory days and do everything to make one last big push at it.”

Training camp is expected to get underway on July 10. On Wednesday, the CFL was granted a border exemption by the Canadian government and players will only need to quarantine for seven days.