Robservations: List of Roughriders’ repeat names includes a re-Pete … brushes with greatness … and please use “please”!
Nearly three years after signing Marcus Murphy, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed Marcus Murphy.
Marcus Murphy, running back and kick returner, reached a deal with the CFL team on June 7, 2021 and dressed for three games in a COVID-shortened season that followed.
Rider Nation now welcomes another Marcus Murphy — a defensive back whose signing was announced on Tuesday.
This got me thinking, which is dangerous …
How many players of the (virtually) same name have been affiliated with the Roughriders for any duration? Ready, set …
ERIC ALLEN
Eric Allen 1.0: Defensive lineman, 2002 training camp. Eric Allen 2.0: Defensive back; signed with the Roughriders on April 25, 2017 but was released before training camp. (On Sept. 13, 1973, the Toronto Argonauts’ Eric Allen caught five passes for 157 yards in a 21-15 loss to the visiting Roughriders. His 100-yarder was the longest non-scoring reception by an opposing player in Roughriders history.)
CURTIS BAHAM
Training camps of yesteryear have included a Curtis Baham in 1991 (defensive back) and 2006 (receiver).
JOE BARNES
Example #1: Quarterback, 1980 and 1981. Example #2: Linebacker, 2007 training camp.
FRED BROWN
Fred Brown (Regina Rugby Club, 1928 to 1930) scored the first interception-return touchdown in Canadian football history (a 55-yarder against the host Calgary Tigers on Nov. 11, 1929). He was also the first Western player to score a touchdown in a Grey Cup Game (on an onside kick recovery against the Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers on Dec. 6, 1930). Fred Brown, a receiver from Louisiana Tech, attended training camp in 1985.
JAMES BROWN
I feel good about this one! Two James Browns attended training camp in 1970. James Brown was a tight end out of Mississippi Valley. James (Bear) Brown was a running back from Texas A&I.
KEVIN BROWN
Kevin Brown was a training camp invitee in 1993 (defensive lineman) and 2005 (running back).
JACK CAMPBELL
Jack Campbell was a halfback with the 1919 Regina Rugby Club. From 1929 to 1935, Jack (Jersey) Campbell was a Regina Roughrider. In fact, he threw the first forward pass in Grey Cup history (to Jerry Erskine versus the Hamilton Tigers on Nov. 30, 1929).
DAN CLARK
Can we count this one? We all remember former Roughriders centre and all-world human being Dan Clark. Well, a receiver named Danny Clark (from West Texas State) attended training camp in 1983.
BILL CLARK(E)
Bill Clark was a Roughriders halfback in 1927. Bill Clarke, a Canadian Football Hall of Famer, excelled on the defensive line from 1951 to 1964. As well, W.E. (Bill) Clarke was the Roughriders’ President from 1967 to 1971. Both Bill Clarkes are in the SaskTel Plaza of Honour.
JIM COOPER
In 1972, Waterloo Lutheran defensive back Jim Cooper was drafted by Saskatchewan in the fourth round. Jim Cooper, an offensive lineman out of UBC, dressed for five games in 1999. (Bonus reference: Defensive back James Cooper was at training camp in 1986.)
LLOYD HENRY
Lloyd Sr. dressed for one game in 1979. Lloyd Jr., also a receiver, played for the Green and White from 2001 to 2003. The younger Henry was generally referred to by his nickname, Rocky.
LARRY JONES
It can be tough to keep up with the Joneses when you recall running back Larry Jones (1982 tryout; 1983 training camp) and defensive back Larry Jones (2003 training camp).
DAN MacDONALD
Defensive lineman Dan MacDonald was on the practice roster in 1987. Long snapper Dan MacDonald dressed for six games in 2016.
RON MACKIE/MACKEY
Ron Mackie, a linebacker, signed with the Roughriders on April 25, 1980 but did not report to camp. Defensive lineman Ron Mackey dressed for one game in 1983 and attended camp the following year.
JOE McGRATH
Joe Sr. attended camp in 1966 and 1970. Joe Jr., also an offensive lineman, was signed by the Roughriders on Feb. 16, 2009. He was traded to Edmonton on June 11 of that year for a first-round draft pick in 2010 and a negotiation-list player.
BOB McMILLAN
Formerly of the Saskatoon Hilltops, Bob McMillan was a halfback for the Roughriders from 1952 to 1954. Bob McMillan, an end from the Regina Rams, was a training-camp invitee in 1961.
ED McQUARTERS
Ed Sr. was a dominant defensive lineman from 1966 to 1974. Ed Jr., also known as Eddie, was the Roughriders’ fourth-round draft pick in 1984. An offensive lineman, Eddie attended camp in 1985 and was on the practice roster in 1987.
STEVE MOLNAR
Steve Sr. played for the Regina Roughriders in 1941. Steve Jr. was a running back with the Green and White from 1969 to 1978.
KEN REED/REID
Ken Reed, a defensive lineman and linebacker, played for the Roughriders from 1966 to 1970. He entered the SaskTel Plaza of Honour in 2006. Ken Reid, a Hilltops receiver, attended camp as a junior-eligible player in 1987 and 1988.
TARE RENNEBOHM
Howard (Tare) Rennebohm Sr. debuted with the Regina Rugby Club in 1916. After the Second World War, he starred for the team from 1919 to 1926. Howard (Tare) Rennebohm Jr. played for the Roughriders from 1945 to 1948. (Tare Sr. was enshrined in the Plaza of Honour in 1991.)
PETE/PETER ROBERTSON
Now for the re-Pete: Defensive end Pete Robertson recently signed with the B.C. Lions after spending three seasons with Saskatchewan. Peter Robertson, a linebacker from the University of Calgary, attended camp in 1977 and 1978.
MIKE RYAN
Mike Ryan was a highly touted offensive lineman out of USC who left camp on June 26, 1976. McMaster product Mike Ryan, also an offensive lineman, was a fifth-round draftee in 1984.
WAYNE SMITH
Wayne Smith, a ferocious pass-rusher, played in five games with the 1979 Roughriders and appeared in two contests with the 1980 edition before being traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Offensive lineman Wayne Smith, a Roughrider from 2007 to 2010, was a member of a Grey Cup championship team in his first year with Saskatchewan.
ERIK/ERIC THOMAS
Erik Thomas (running back) and Eric Thomas (receiver) auditioned for the Roughriders in 1998 and 2015, respectively. Both players were released on June 15, 17 years apart.
BRIAN TIMMIS
Brian Timmis, a legend of Canadian football, was with the Regina Rugby Club from 1920 to 1922. Most memorably, he scored four touchdowns in a playoff game against the Saskatoon Quakers on Oct. 30, 1920. Brian Jr., a halfback, dressed for 10 games in 1953.
MIKE WASHINGTON
The Roughriders’ Mike Washingtons played running back (1982 to 1984) and receiver (2007 and 2008). The earlier Washington was interchangeably referred to as Mike and Michael in contemporaneous media reports. When signing autographs, he wrote “Michael Roosevelt Washington.”
FRED WILLIAMS
Fred Williams enjoyed an auspicious debut with the Roughriders, rushing for 85 yards and two touchdowns against the visiting Calgary Stampeders on Aug. 28, 1977. Alas, he suffered torn ankle ligaments in the next game and never played pro football again. Fred Williams, a defensive back, tried out for Saskatchewan in 1984.
LEE WILSON
The Roughriders’ Training Camp Prospectus included a fullback (1972) and defensive back (1983) named Lee Wilson.
WALTER WILSON
Defensive back Walter Wilson attended camp in 1977. Walter Wilson, a receiver who played for Baltimore (1994) and Memphis (1995) during the U.S. expansion years, was claimed by Saskatchewan in a 1996 dispersal draft but never joined the team.
We conclude what is admittedly, unapologetically the nerdiest exercise ever with a couple of name-related quirks.
- In 1986, the Roughriders dressed defensive backs named Tony Slaton and Tony Staten.
- We’ll now run a reverse. The Roughriders’ all-time player list includes Fraser Stewart (1911 to 1915) and Stewart Fraser (1980 to 1985).
OTHER ITEMS THAT WILL ALTER THE COURSE OF JOURNALISM
- Someone explain this to me, please. It is possible to design a mobile device — seemingly an indestructible item — that can do everything except the laundry. However, a mobile-device charge cord cannot last more than three weeks without fraying or ceasing to be functional. Maybe this is a “me” problem.
- Under-rated Roughrider: Taj Smith. For starters, he led the 2013 Grey Cup championship team in regular-season receptions (78). As well, he caught four passes for 126 yards to help Saskatchewan defeat B.C. 29-25 in the 2013 West Division semi-final. In the 101st Grey Cup Game, he made a key block to enable Kory Sheets to rush for 21 yards in a second-and-19 situation during the fourth quarter.
- Underpublicized stat from the 2013 Grey Cup: Five special teams tackles by Brian Peters, who tied a Roughriders single-game record in that category. Peters shares the record with Neal Hughes (at Toronto, Oct. 20, 2006) and Yannick Carter (at B.C. Lions, Sept. 13, 2008).
BRUSHES WITH GREATNESS AND SHAMELESS NAME-DROPPING
- The other day, I chatted with colleagues Josh MacNeil and Caleb Blundell about what it is like to meet your heroes. There is an accompanying, not-inconsiderable risk of a letdown but, thankfully, my interactions with (cue the personal Honour Roll) Oscar Peterson, Ron Lancaster, George Reed, Joey Walters, Hugh Campbell, Gary Carter, Dale Hawerchuk, Dennis Sobchuk, Ed Staniowski, Harvey Mazinke, Bernie Parent, Gerry Cheevers, Guy Lafleur, Ernie Richardson and Bob Hughes were invariably positive.
- My theory: The great ones are great for a reason. But I do know of people who have been devastated after meeting someone they have — or had, depending on the circumstances — admired. I was trembling and perspiring and fumbling for words in the presence of Oscar Peterson, a jazz legend, in 1997. Part of the nervousness stemmed from the fear that I would be disappointed by someone who was also idolized by my late father. All apprehensions were unfounded.
- As I told Josh and Caleb, meeting Oscar Peterson made me a better person. It occurred to me that if someone of his stature could be polite, accommodating and extraordinarily nice, why can’t everyone? After spending a couple of treasured minutes in Oscar’s presence, I found myself saying “please,” “thank you” and “you’re welcome” with far greater frequency.
- So, please, use “please”! Take it from someone who has received and considered countless requests over the years. At times, it seems that the word “please” is bordering on obsolescence. In 22 years as the Regina Leader-Post’s sports editor, I routinely interacted with people who asked if a story could be written on a certain topic. Trust me: “please do a story on (insert topic here)” was infinitely more effective than “do a story on (insert topic here).”
ROLL CREDITS …
- Nice people who deserve a plug: Jim Hopson, Craig Reynolds, Anthony Partipilo, Kent Paul, Arielle Zerr, Kim Gallagher, Tyler Daku, Jeremy O’Day, Jon O’Day, Edmund Bellegarde, Allison Beatty, Josh MacNeil, Caleb Blundell, Jeff Child, Andrea Costanza, Brent Buchko, Dave MacLean, Kamryn Weisgerber, Georgette Reed, Jameer Thurman, Jalon Edwards-Cooper, Kelly Peterson, Frank Kovacs, Barry Clarke, Doug Harris, Jessica Stevenson, Kris Mazurak, Olivier Poulin, Lucas Barrett, Steve Daniel, Noah Amstadter, Michelle Bruton, Clarissa Young, Dennis Rimmer, Bill Dubecky, Kate Pettersen, Vic Rauter, Russ Howard, Dr. Kobus de Witt, Elda de Witt, Chris Smith, Joey Walters, Hugh Campbell, Dennis Sobchuk, Ernie Richardson, Bernie Parent, Gerry Cheevers and the very nice lady at Fired Up Grill who brightened my sagging spirits with a nice comment earlier this week. I should have asked for her name because that, too, was a brush with greatness — exhibited by extreme kindness.
