Adam’s family: Auclair tried to convince Super Bowl-winning brother to join Roughriders

From the it-was-worth-a-shot department: Adam Auclair hoped his signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders would evolve into a two-for-one deal.

He attempted to bring his brother — 2017 Roughriders draftee and six-year NFLer Antony Auclair — along for the ride.

“When I signed with Sask, I talked to him and said, ‘Bro, you have to come with me now!’ ” said Adam Auclair, a 27-year-old linebacker. “He said, ‘Naaah, man, I’m retired,’ but at least I tried.”

After being selected by Saskatchewan in the fourth round of the 2017 CFL Draft, tight end Antony Auclair signed with Tampa Bay and spent four seasons with the Buccaneers.

His tenure with the Bucs was capped by their 31-9 Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 7, 2021 — when Adam Auclair was in the crowd at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

Antony Auclair subsequently spent time with the Houston Texans (2021) and Tennessee Titans (2022) before announcing his retirement from football on Feb. 1, at age 30.

When the CFL’s free-agency negotiation window opened three days later, the Roughriders were quick to reach out to Auclair’s younger brother, who was chosen by the Ottawa REDBLACKS in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2020 CFL Draft out of Université Laval.

He was a member of the REDBLACKS for three seasons before testing free agency and accepting the Roughriders’ offer.

“I have been waiting a long time to play in Sask,” Adam Auclair said from his off-season home in Quebec City. “I remember that on my draft day, I was hoping that Sask would draft me.

“I remember talking to Patrick Lavoie, a Quebecois who played for Sask, and he told me that Sask was the place to play if you want to feel like a pro and be treated like a pro. I was like, ‘Man … might as well go there.’

“My brother got drafted by Sask in 2017, so I thought, ‘Maybe it’s a nice place to play.’

“Besides that, I truly believe in Coach Corey Mace. I know a couple of the players who played for him when he was in Calgary.

“I feel like it’s a great opportunity for me to play a little bit and show what I can do on the field.”

He did precisely that last season, registering 63 defensive tackles and making another 14 stops on special teams while playing in all 18 games with the REDBLACKS.

Seeing action at middle linebacker and weak-side linebacker, he added a sack, an interception, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and two pass knockdowns.

He ranked second on the REDBLACKS in defensive plays, with 83.

“I’m a guy who brings a lot of energy on the field,” he said. “I’m a cerebral player.

“I’m telling the fans, ‘Don’t wait on me to celebrate a lot,’ because I’m not a flashy guy, but I’m a guy who always runs to the football and is physical and can be a helpful in coverage as well.”

In other words, he has all the prerequisites for a starting weak-side linebacker.

His talents were also evident when he helped Laval win the Vanier Cup in 2016 and 2018. In 2017, he received the President’s Trophy, which is awarded to the top stand-up defensive player in Canadian university football.

As well, Auclair was named a U Sports All-Canadian in 2016 and 2017.

In 2018, he was recognized as the top defensive player in the Vanier Cup after making 11 defensive tackles and one interception in a 34-20, championship-game victory over the Western Mustangs.

All of that, and more, came to mind when Auclair took a shot at convincing his older brother to join the Roughriders.

The message: “We have a Vanier Cup. We have a Super Bowl ring. The only ring that is missing is the Grey Cup, so you might as well come with me to Sask.”

The spirited sales pitch was unsuccessful, but Adam Auclair’s trademark enthusiasm wasn’t dampened in the least.

“I’m very excited to join the team and the coaching staff,” he said. “I have a great opportunity to play in a place where they really believe in me.

“I think they have a great family atmosphere right now. After I signed, (quarterback) Trevor Harris texted me and the Special Teams Co-ordinator (Kent Maugeri) texted me and I had a meeting with the Linebackers Coach (J.C. Sherritt).

“I think good things are going to happen this year with Sask. I’m freakin’ excited and I can’t wait to be there in May.”