Veteran defensive back and current free agent Jonathan Rose wants to return to the Redblacks when the CFL puts football back on the field.
Rose played just three games for Ottawa in 2019 as his season was cut short following a Week 4 loss to Winnipeg due to a back injury. He has been cleared for contact after undergoing spinal fusion surgery in January.
“I’m fully recovered from the surgery, I’m prepared to return back to football. Just getting my body back to where I can build my muscle back and be my comfortable athletic self, I got to tap back into that,” Rose said on TSN 1200 radio in Ottawa.
“I got cleared in June, it was a blessing, doctors cleared me to come back. I’m glad it (the CFL) shut down completely, giving me time to focus on myself. Going into the 2021 season I’ve had a full year to recover.”
Dr. Wai performed the procedure at The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus in the nation’s capital. That’s where Rose has spent the off-season rehabbing and working towards being fully healthy once again. The 2020 CFL season was cancelled due to COVID-19, but the league has released a schedule for the 2021 campaign.
“Ottawa is my second home. I came here and created a lifestyle that I enjoy. Any organization that’s willing to give me a shot, when I get that call I’m going to perform up to my best abilities,” Rose said.
“If you see J-Rose on or off the field, the energy is there. I play a sport where I entertain, I like people to be able to enjoy themselves — good, bad or indifferent — the ones that hate me, they’re still having a good time while they’re at the game.”
The 27-year-old has played 53 career CFL games, recording 162 tackles, nine interceptions, six forced fumbles, four special teams tackles, scored two defensive touchdowns and notched one sack. Rose was a key piece of Ottawa’s 2016 Grey Cup championship team.
“With the resume I have put together, I’m hoping me and Ottawa come back together and we keep this run going. I want to get all my rings in one place,” Rose said.
“There’s something about that home base feeling where you stay and you keep that culture alive that makes your career feel different.”
