‘Super-grateful’: Patience pays off for Riders’ T.J. Brunson

T.J. Brunson is hoping to continue to make a big impact with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The linebacker will play in his second CFL game Sunday when the Riders take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Labour Day Classic at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.

“It felt like it took a long time but it really didn’t,” said Brunson, who spent the first nine games on the Riders’ practice roster. “I was really focused on coming in every day and preparing myself for when my number was called and just making sure I learned the game and watched as much as I could being a first-year player up here.

“It took a little bit of time but being patient and everything, I think it worked out for the best.”

Head coach Craig Dickenson said the coaches were looking for some extra pop when they added the 25-year-old Brunson to the active roster.

“We just felt like we needed a little more thump,” Dickenson said. “We needed a little more physicality on special teams and on defence and we felt like he could bring it — and he did.”

Brunson made his presence felt in his first game, a 34-29 win over the B.C. Lions on Aug. 20.

His hit on Lions returner Terry Williams could be heard in the upper sections of Mosaic Stadium, though Brunson was fined for the hit by the CFL.

“That was definitely on my mind, going down and causing havoc,” Brunson said. “It was the perfect opportunity and everything lined up perfectly. I just tried to take advantage of that.”

While the product of Columbia, S.C., has made a quick impact with his play in Saskatchewan, patience could be a word to describe his football story.

Brunson was drafted in the seventh round by the New York Giants in the 2020 NFL draft out of the University of South Carolina and played five games with the team in his rookie season.

But in 2021, he suffered a torn ACL in his first pre-season game – the last time he would play a professional game for years. He was waived by the Giants in June of last year.

“It was (a long wait). It was me focusing on controlling the controlables and just taking every day as an opportunity to learn and grow and keep my foot on the pedal,” Brunson said. “I was raising my daughter and training.”

Then this past May, an opportunity to continue playing came when the Riders signed him to a CFL contract.

“It was amazing. (I’m) super-grateful for the opportunity and I was excited just having a door open and having enough faith to walk through the door,” Brunson said. “I’m happy that I did it at this point.”

Now in his second career CFL game, Brunson will try to help the Riders do something they haven’t done since 2019: Defeat the Bombers.

“They have some good guys. I think it comes down to us executing what we do and making sure we are detailed in our jobs and playing fast and physical,” Brunson said. “We have a great group of guys out here so I think those things will be taken care of, especially the things we can control.”