Shawn Bane Jr., the CFL’s busiest pass-catcher this season, warranted double coverage on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver fielded questions from a member of the media and a number of teammates.
It started off as a routine, post-practice exchange inside the locker room. CBC reporter Nick Frew approached Bane Jr., who is always obliging, and requested an interview. No problem. Happy to do it.
But then a gallery, consisting primarily of other Roughriders receivers, began to surround the subject of the story.
Out came the mobile phones, which teammates used to either record the reporter-receiver exchange or illuminate the interviewee with the aid of the flashlight function.
A consummate pro, Bane Jr. respectfully and thoughtfully answered every one of the reporter’s questions without playing to or being distracted by the crowd.
But once Frew was through, well … roll ’em!
Kian Schaffer-Baker: How ready is the team for the game this week?
Bane Jr.: I think the team is really ready going into this week. It has been a great week of preparation, a good two days. Tomorrow is a quick-and-clean day. We just need to sharpen up on what we need to fix and go attack.
Antonio Pipkin: So, Shawn, what’s been keeping you focused here?
Bane Jr.: Honestly, just the bigger goal.
Pipkin: What’s that bigger goal?
Bane Jr.: A Grey Cup, ultimately, but we just want to get better every day. I enjoy doing that with my guys and being able to be a light in the locker room and on the field.
Pipkin: Who do you speak of when you speak of “your guys”?
Bane Jr.: Mostly the offence.
Tevin Jones: Shawn Bane! Shawn Bane, sir! How do you deal with distractions?
Bane Jr.: You kind of just ignore it. It’s not like this is the first rodeo, respectfully.
Schaffer-Baker: I didn’t know we were at the rodeo. This is not Calgary. There’s no rodeo around here.
Bane Jr.: When I was in high school, way back when, my coach kind of told me to avoid the distractions and focus on one thing.
Jones: Going back to this rodeo thing … if this was a rodeo, who would be the bull and who would be the clown?
Bane Jr.: I plead the Fifth. I don’t know. That’s a good question.
Jones: Well, OK … you’re the clown. OK?!
Schaffer-Baker: Are you an apple pie kind of guy or a pumpkin pie guy?
Bane Jr.: I’d say apple, if I have to choose.
Pipkin: Orange juice or apple juice?
Bane Jr.: I’m going to take the Vitamin C, so orange juice. I’m from the Sunshine State, so orange is our fruit (in Florida).
Jones: Orange juice or coconut water?
Bane Jr.: Coconut water, for sure. Definitely, the hydration trumps everything.
Samuel Emilus: Hey, Bane! Tell us about your brand!
Bane Jr.: Yeah, I do have a clothing brand. It’s like streetwear.
Jones: What is the name of this clothing brand?
Bane Jr.: Bane’s World.
Jones: Wow!
Everyone: Bane’s World! Bane’s World! Bane’s World!
Jones: What was the inspiration behind Bane’s World?
Bane Jr.: It was just an idea …
Jones: Are you the emperor of this world?
Bane Jr.: I’m not the emperor …
Isaiah Woodley: I’ve got one question.
Bane Jr.: Yes, sir.
Woodley: What would you say to the kids who are trying to be in your position one day?
Bane Jr.: Number 1, keep working. Number 2, don’t forget to have fun.
Pipkin: What’s your favourite slogan?
Bane Jr.: “I’m open.”
That explains why he has a CFL-best 67 receptions heading into Friday’s game against the host Ottawa REDBLACKS (5 p.m., TSN, CKRM).
Most recently, he caught six passes for 47 yards in last Friday’s 36-27 loss to the visiting Edmonton Elks. Two of the receptions produced a TD, giving him his first multi-major game since entering the CFL in 2021.
Moreover, Bane Jr. caught multiple touchdown passes in a game for the first time since Sept. 23, 2017, when his three majors helped the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats blank the Missouri Southern Lions 63-0 in Maryville, Mo.
Over 48 NCAA games with Northwest Missouri State, Bane Jr. twice registered three TD catches and caught two TD tosses on four occasions.
Friday’s two-TD performance came in his 26th CFL regular-season game — his 13th since signing with Saskatchewan as a free agent in February.
It was showtime once more on Tuesday, judging by the magnetic response to the sight of a TV crew.
“We always try to boost each other up whenever we get some camera time, so I guess it was just my time,” Bane Jr. explained to the Roughriders’ writer-in-residence. “It was crazy.
“They kind of overdid it with the flashlights and the recording, but pressure is a privilege.”
There was only one problem: The teammates’ inquiries were far more inspired than … er … (gulp) … mine.
“I guess they were good questions,” Bane Jr. acknowledged, “but, no, I don’t think you should take offence to it.”
Excellent point.
I’ll leave the offence to someone who provides plenty of it — the CFL’s receptions leader.
