'Start of something special': Riders use garbage bag day to reflect on 2024
Nov 11, 2024
The locker room was full of optimism for the future of the organization on Sunday.
So much so he has that saying tattooed on his body.
“It was super important and thankfully (the team) allowed me to handle things accordingly,” the Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback said.
“(Head coach Corey Mace) said even if you don’t want to play this week, you don’t have to.
“I can’t be gone for too long – I don’t want to fall behind and just want to be dependable. You have to learn to balance that in this profession.”
Bane Jr. missed all of last week, including the Riders’ 30-23 win over the Toronto Argonauts, due to a personal reason.
On Sunday, Bane Jr. made an Instagram post about his sister passing away.
Mace said it’s important to have family first as a football player.
“As much as we love this game and it gives us so much, family has always been there from the beginning and will continue to be there after football,” Mace said. “That’s the priority and that makes sense for us in this building and will continue to do that for as long as we are here.”
The slotback was able to return to practice with the team on Tuesday as the Riders prepare for a showdown against the B.C. Lions. Kickoff for the game at B.C. Place is set for 5 p.m. Sask. time on Saturday.
“It was really good. I felt good,” Bane Jr. said. “It was different not being here and watching the guys on T.V. back home but it felt really good.”
He will join an offence with Shea Patterson at the helm. Patterson started his first CFL game last week due to an injury to quarterback Trevor Harris.
“I was super excited for Shea and I’m glad to be on the field with him this week,” Bane Jr. said. “The offence was pretty solid. Obviously the rough start but once he got his reps in and what he was looking for, he was able to find some guys.”
Notes: Defensive linemen Charbel Dabire and Christian Albright will be out for the long term with ACL injuries. Mace said they have guys on the roster who can fill in but they also always keep an eye on if there are free agents that can help as well.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]