‘I’m grateful:’ Riders’ Larry Dean reflects on milestone for games played

Larry Dean has surpassed the century mark.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker played his 100th career CFL game in a 34-29 win over the B.C. Lions on Aug. 20 before the team went on its second bye week of the season.

“It means a lot. I never thought that far when I first came (to the CFL) but I think it’s just a testament to the longevity, the discipline and withstanding the times,” Dean said.

“People put it in different perspectives. You have guys saying things here and there and sending out messages. With it happening over the bye week, I was able to reflect on it a little bit. It’s definitely a blessing.”

Prior to heading to the CFL, Dean played five seasons in the NFL — three as a member of the Minnesota Vikings and one each with the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Tifton, Ga., product landed in the CFL in 2016 as a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and over his career has also played with the Edmonton Elks before joining the Riders for the 2021 season.

But in his first season with the Green and White, Dean had to spend the entire year on the sidelines after suffering a torn Achilles the day before training camp opened.

“I tell everyone who has suffered an injury, the tidbit I give them is to journal about it,” Dean said, “so that you can go back and actually reflect and know how you felt that day, that moment, throughout the process and things like that.

“I’m grateful.”

The 35-year-old Dean has bounced back in a big way for the Riders, recording 101 tackles in 2022 and 64 through 10 games this season. Dean has made 72 defensive plays this season, third-most in the CFL.

“He’s like a coach on the field,” head coach Craig Dickenson said. “We talked a little bit about leadership today at our team meeting and Larry checks all the boxes. He has been an absolute pleasure to have on the team and I feel like he really leads that group in the locker room – not just the defence but the team in general.”

Dickenson said it’s quite an accomplishment to reach 100 games in the league.

“To get 100 games, it’s special,” he said.

Dean and the Riders’ defence will try to stop a high-flying Winnipeg Blue Bombers offence on Sunday in the Labour Day Classic. Kickoff for the game at Mosaic Stadium is set for 5 p.m.

It’s the first meeting between the two clubs since Week 2, when Winnipeg won 45-27.

“It’s the next opportunity. We played them tough Week 2 but at the end of the day, we didn’t get the job done,” Dean said. “We’re relishing another opportunity.”

Notes: Dickenson said it’s unlikely slotback Brayden Lenius (foot) and defensive back Rolan Milligan (foot) will return this season. Dickenson said there’s still a chance offensive lineman Philip Blake (pectoral) could return this season, while quarterback Trevor Harris (knee) wouldn’t be available until the final couple weeks of the season, if at all.