Bakari Grant is looking forward to creating memories of Regina that are more positive than one he currently has.
Over the previous six CFL seasons, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound international receiver visited Mosaic Stadium with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2011-15) and Calgary Stampeders (2016).
But his time with the Tiger-Cats includes a rather painful recollection of the Queen City. Grant was a member of the 2013 Hamilton squad that was trounced 45-23 by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Grey Cup game at Mosaic Stadium.
“Everyone has to remind me of that, right?” said a chuckling Grant, whose free-agent signing with the Roughriders was announced Tuesday. “I’m probably going to hear it a few more times.
“When you’re on the outside of Riderville, (the memory of that game) is frustrating. When big plays happen like Kory Sheets made — when (Darian) Durant fumbled the ball and (Sheets) picked it up and took off running — that kind of thing demoralizes you as the other team.
“To be part of that (Saskatchewan) team now, to be part of the great tradition and part of everything that’s going on there, it’s encouraging. Now you’re excited to make those big plays versus the other way around.”
Grant’s signing was one of two announced by the Roughriders on Tuesday morning. International defensive tackle Zach Minter also agreed to a free-agent deal with Saskatchewan.
Grant, a 29-year-old product of Oakland, joined the Tiger-Cats in 2011 after playing collegiately at the University of California, Davis.
During his time with Hamilton, Grant caught 242 passes for 3,027 yards and 16 touchdowns in 70 regular-season games.
He was named an East Division all-star in 2013, when he had 69 receptions for 947 yards. He added three catches for 72 yards in the Tiger-Cats’ Grey Cup loss in Regina.
Grant hit the free-agent market in February of 2016 and considered signing with the Roughriders then, but ultimately joined the Stampeders.
In 10 regular-season games with Calgary, he had 44 receptions for 625 yards and four TDs. He made four catches for 52 yards in the Stamps’ Grey Cup loss to the Ottawa Redblacks.
When Grant became a free agent again last week, he decided the time was right to join the Roughriders.
“It’s nice to be part of something new, part of a new look,” he said. “I believe in what (Roughriders head coach-GM) Chris Jones is doing and I’m confident in the steps he’s taking to move that team forward …
“As you know from his history, he’s had great success, so I’m excited to be part of that now.”
In Saskatchewan, Grant will be reunited with several former teammates who also have joined the Roughriders. That includes offensive lineman Derek Dennis (whom Grant played with in Calgary) and quarterback Kevin Glenn (a teammate of Grant’s in Hamilton in 2011).
“When you see a general manager and head coach go out and get guys like that, it’s encouraging,” Grant said. “It’s one of those things that gave me confidence to sign there.”
Grant joins a Roughriders receiving corps that features a mixture of seasoned veterans (like Rob Bagg, Chad Owens and Naaman Roosevelt) and relative youngsters (such as Duron Carter, Ricky Collins Jr., Nic Demski and Caleb Holley).
Grant will accept whatever role he’s asked to take — including that of leader.
“There are a lot of young guys in that locker room, so you need some pieces to the puzzle that you don’t always get with just young guys,” he said. “What I bring to the table is a veteran presence, not only with the receivers but in the locker room in general.
“I also bring a playmaking ability. Every year that I’ve played in games, I’ve made plays. Chris Jones is a guy who likes competition. He thinks that brings out the best in players and I agree with that.
“I’m excited to get around some of those guys. Hopefully I’m able to impact them in a positive way and vice versa.”
Minter, a 26-year-old from Glendale, Ariz., joins the Roughriders after stints with the Stampeders (2016) and B.C Lions (2015). He also had stops in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys.
The 6-foot-2, 300-pounder out of Montana State University played in five regular-season games for Calgary and recorded six tackles and two sacks. He had 16 tackles and three sacks in 10 games with B.C.
