Jermarcus Hardrick references 2013, wants Roughriders to win another home Grey Cup

Photo courtesy: Steven Chang/B.C. Lions

The 114th Grey Cup is still a little over one year away, but Jermarcus Hardrick is already talking about winning it at home as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“I know guys are hungry and want to get back here, and (in) 2027 (the Grey Cup) is here (in Regina),” Hardrick told reporters on Sunday. “(In) 2013, it was here, and guys did some special things here, and I want to be a part of that. I really want to just show how great (head coach Corey) Mace is, and how great this province is, and want to give more.”

Many would consider 2013 to be the greatest season in franchise history.

The team finished second in the West Division at 11-7 before a playoff run that still lives in infamy in Rider Nation. After knocking off the B.C. Lions in the West Semi-Final and upsetting the Calgary Stampeders in the West Final, the Roughriders returned home for the 101st Grey Cup against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The game wasn’t remotely close.

Saskatchewan erupted for 24 points in the second quarter en route to a 45-23 victory, as Kory Sheets ran for a Grey Cup record 197 yards and two touchdowns.

The win marked the fourth championship in franchise history, and the first won at home. The team’s three previous titles had been captured in either Vancouver or Toronto — nowhere near the prairies.

At age 36, it would be understandable if Hardrick needed time to consider his future after Saturday’s loss to the B.C. Lions in the West Semi-Final. Instead, it seems he’s already committed to playing again next year.

“[My family] told me what we were doing. They said they still want to watch ball, they still want to come to the locker room, they still want me to play,” he said.

“First text I got from my wife, ‘Proud of you, still got more in you,’ so that’s where we are. I didn’t know that, I thought I was being selfish. Just to hear that, that changed my whole mood last night, so it’s good.”

Hardrick is a pending free agent, having earned $230,000 this past season as one of the CFL’s highest-paid offensive linemen. Provided the financials make sense, negotiations seem to be a mere formality at this point, as he wants to be back in Riderville.

It was a tough season in Saskatchewan, as the team sought to become the first back-to-back Grey Cup champions in franchise history. Instead, the team squandered a 17-3 lead in Vancouver to be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

“I had zero thought in my mind that we were losing that game. I just didn’t see that happening there, and I was just in disbelief. I’m still in disbelief,” said Hardrick.

“I was watching the highlights [on Saturday] night and just not even believing it, like still in disbelief, so I was just hurt, just didn’t see that happening. I didn’t know what to do (when the game was done). I didn’t want to go in the locker room. … I didn’t want to cry in front of everybody.”

It seems the bitter taste of playoff defeat is already providing Saskatchewan with motivation for next year. Hardrick has won three Grey Cups over 12 CFL seasons, and believes he’s been at his best when coming off a disappointing end to the previous year.

“Good things come when you’re pissed off,” he said. “The years where I went home with the black bag, I’ve worked the hardest, and I’ve lost the most sleep. That loss, I hope it stings and hope it does great things for us in the future.”

“It’s time to get better, time to get back hungry. It’s time to get back to whatever we got to do to get to the promised land, and 2027 is here. I would love to do it here, so let’s do it.”

Editor’s note: key file courtesy of Regina Rams play-by-play voice and Sportscage guest host Brendan McGuire.