The mere mention of a non-sporting passion was music to the ears of C.J. Reavis.
His versatility, you see, extends beyond the football field — on which he has excelled for the Saskatchewan Roughriders as a linebacker and safety early in the 2023 CFL season.
On top of all that, Reavis is a rap artist whose phrasing can be found on Spotify and Apple.
“Whatever God blesses you with, you should use it to the best of your ability,” he said after Tuesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. “I feel like He gave me a little voice, so I feel like I’ve got to use that, too.”
Reavis, 27, wasn’t far beyond his 10th birthday when he began rapping.
“I’ve always loved music,” the 6-foot-0, 198-pounder said. “I’ve always loved sounds. I’ve always loved expressing myself in other ways.”
Hence the production of two albums, which have been complemented by live shows that he has done in Texas and Virginia.
With those in mind, he was asked to compare performing for a football audience and for a musical crowd.
“Well, if you mess up, it’s only you,” he said with a laugh, citing the latter scenario. “That’s the only thing.
“It’s a little bit like making a play when the crowd goes crazy. But, when you’re on stage, it’s just you, so you get to feel all that by yourself, all the time.”
Reavis has elicited plenty of applause for his efforts on behalf of the 2023 Roughriders.
He started the first two games at strong-side linebacker while veteran Derrick Moncrief completed his recovery from off-season shoulder surgery.
Moncrief returned for the Roughriders’ most-recent game — a 29-26 double-overtime victory over the host Calgary Stampeders — but Reavis was still very busy.
After Nelson Lokombo was injured early in the July 24 contest at McMahon Stadium, Reavis moved to safety and had another standout game.
“He has been great,” Moncrief said. “He’s very attentive at meetings and a very smart guy.
“He’s very savvy — just a great football player. He just makes great plays on the ball.”
In Calgary, for example, Reavis made eight defensive tackles (one behind Larry Dean’s team-high total) and set up another key play with a deflection that was not reflected in the final statistics.
Early in the fourth quarter, Calgary advanced to the Roughriders’ 12-yard line before quarterback Jake Maier looked to the end zone for a well-covered Tre Odoms-Dukes.
The pass, which was slightly behind the intended receiver, ended up deflecting off the left foot of Reavis before behind caught by Dean. The veteran middle linebacker then returned the interception 28 yards.
So there … more versatility! Reavis doesn’t even have to use his hands to deflect the football.
“Thankfully, I was able to get in front of the receiver and break it up,” he said. “I’m just glad Larry caught it.”
Craig Dickenson, for his part, is just glad that Reavis is a part of the team.
“He has just been great,” the Roughriders’ Head Coach said. “He’s very unselfish and he plays wherever you want him. He’s good on special teams.
“He can be a box player (as a linebacker). He can cover players in the secondary. He’s got great versatility and he just loves football. He’s got great energy.
“Considering what he has come back from, you have to love football to do that.”
Reavis has overcome two Achilles tendon tears since signing with the Roughriders on April 1, 2022.
“He has had to rehab pretty much every off-season since we’ve known him,” Dickenson said. “He just keeps plugging along. He comes back and competes hard every day.
“He’s one of my favourites.”
As for more favourites, those can be found on Spotify and Apple.
INJURY INUNDATION
The Roughriders’ injury list keeps getting longer as the remaining preparatory time shortens for Thursday’s game against the Edmonton Elks (7 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
On an injury report that was issued by the Roughriders on Tuesday afternoon, five players were listed as out for the Edmonton game — centre Peter Godber (hand), receiver Jake Wieneke (knee), linebacker Matt Dean (foot), offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins (knee) and defensive back Rodney Clemons (ankle).
Listed as questionable are offensive tackle Colin Kelly (illness), defensive tackle Micah Johnson (hip), kicker Brett Lauther (leg) and receiver Kalija Lipscomb (ankle).
Quarterback Trevor Harris (back), long snapper Jorgen Hus (illness), safety Jayden Dalke (back), defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II (foot) and defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. (back) were listed on the report but did not receive a designation, which essentially means that they are regarded as being available to play.
RECEIVER ROTATION
The injuries to Wieneke and Lipscomb represent the continuation of a trend for the Roughriders, whose receiving corps has been decimated.
Kian Schaffer-Baker, the team’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 2022, underwent hip surgery during the off-season. He has yet to play or practise this season.
Brayden Lenius (lower back) was hurt in the pre-season finale and subsequently placed on the six-game injured list. He was soon joined by Derel Walker, who hurt a knee in the season opener.
Juwan Brescacin injured a shoulder in Week 2 and he, too, was placed on the six-game list.
Wieneke was felled during the Calgary game but was able to finish the contest. Then Lipscomb, who is on the practice roster, found himself on the ever-expanding injury report on Tuesday.
With a need for reinforcements, the Roughriders on Monday announced the signing of Jerreth Sterns — a prolific pass-catcher in the American college ranks.
In 14 games with Western Kentucky in 2021, Sterns led the NCAA in catches (150) and receiving yards (1,902). His 17 TD catches tied him with Pitt’s Jordan Addison for tops in the nation.
