SASKATOON — Saskatchewan Roughriders running back A.J. Ouellette accepted one unforgettable handoff on Saturday.
After Ouellette signed an autograph for three-year-old Kairo Pehlic on Green and White Day, the youngster’s proud father asked if it would be possible to take a photo.
Ouellette, always obliging, held up Kairo and smiled for the camera near the fence at SMF Field.
“I like your mask,” Kairo said.
“I like your hat,” the Roughriders’ No. 45 responded, having taken note of his new best bud’s stylish black cowboy hat.
Kairo and Aldin Pehlic are now looking ahead to Aug. 3 — Family Day — when they will be in Regina to see the Roughriders oppose the Edmonton Elks.
Ouellette’s own introduction to Mosaic Stadium, at least under game conditions, will take place on Monday when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers pay a visit for the CFL’s 2024 pre-season opener. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
A 1,009-yard rusher with the Toronto Argonauts last season, Ouellette — a high-profile free-agent signing on Feb. 13 — promises to be a marquee attraction on, and far beyond, Monday.
We got a glimpse of his connection with the public when he was among the final Roughriders players to finish signing and chatting on Saturday.
One fan presented Ouellette with a Thor hammer — a miniature foam version of his trademark — as he worked his way down the line.
A few minutes earlier, he had signed a green and white No. 45 jersey for its appreciative owner.
“I’m not even going to wear this one,” the fan said. “I’ll just frame it.
“I guess I’ll have to buy another one.”
Over the duration of a lengthy autograph session, every player signed and smiled until all the fans were accommodated.
Unsurprisingly, Ouellette was among the last to finish mingling with the public.
He thought he was done, actually, before being greeted by seven members of the PFC’s Saskatoon Hilltops.
“What position do you play?” Ouellette asked one Hilltop while ensuring that each player received an autograph.
“Linebacker,” he was informed.
“Linebacker …,” Ouellette responded with a smile. “So you’re the enemy!”
Ouellette and the Roughriders’ other CFL veterans were on the sideline when the national anthem was performed at Saturday’s fan-friendly football-fest.
The rookies? They were at midfield, belting out a tune that was unfamiliar to many of the American-born Roughriders hopefuls.
O Canada has sounded better, to be honest, but the concept was perfectly in tune with the new Head Coach’s game plan.
“It’s just a tradition I want to start around here — linking the Canadian rooks with the Americans and getting the Americans to embrace the country they’re playing in,” Corey Mace said.
“Vets, over time, will learn it and love it.”
The early reviews of the vocals?
“Poor,’’ quarterback Trevor Harris stated, “but I did like the dunnn dunnn dunnn at the very end.
“They’ve got a rookie show tonight, so it’s a little chance for redemption.”
Your thoughts, Jayden Dalke?
“I didn’t know what they were doing when they started ad-libbing,” the Roughriders’ third-year defensive back said. “I was proud of them for getting it done.
“I was definitely singing my own tune as well, though.”
Dalke was conspicuous in Saturday’s tune-up for the looming pre-season game.
On the second play of a 12-on-12 session, he registered a interception and took off on a long return.
“It was a high-compete period, so to be able to make a play like that to start off the practice felt pretty good,” said Dalke, who made the pick with his parents (Ryan and Shannon) watching from the stands.
Along with conducting other drills, the Roughriders ran 35 plays of the 12-on-12 variety.
Thomas Bertrand-Hudon ran five yards for the lone touchdown.
Frankie Hickson, with seven carries for 30 yards, was the leading rusher.
Harris went 4-for-5 for 46 yards. Mason Fine (5-for-8, 43 yards) led the way, completions-wise.
Jack Coan (3-for-4, 28 yards), Antonio Pipkin (2-for-3, 31 yards) and Shea Patterson (1-for-1, five yards) also saw duty behind centre.
The leading receivers were newcomer Geronimo Allison (four catches, 49 yards) and returnee Jerreth Sterns (three catches, 39 yards).
Defensively, the Roughriders attacked the football with the intensity that Mace covets.
Dalke’s interception was complemented by four pass knockdowns — courtesy of Antoine Brooks Jr., Nelson Lokombo, Rolan Milligan Jr. and Kosi Onyeka.
“I told the guys that, defensively, we’ve got to clean some things up,” said Mace, who doubles as the Roughriders’ defensive co-ordinator.
“We’re looking at certain things and certain coverages, so to speak, that we can certainly be tighter on.
“But it was a good day for the guys and a great day for the coaches because we’ll be able to coach ’em up.”
First and foremost, though, Green and White Day was all about Rider Nation.
“It’s always great meeting the fans and seeing the community that owns this team and supports this team and really drives the greatest fan base in all of Canada,” Harris said.
“It’s always a good time — even if it’s just 20, 30 minutes — to spend time with the fans, interact, and just see how they’re doing.
“Some fans share stories about how they’re hurting. They’re donating a ball for a kidney transplant, so you find out the name of that person and you get to pray for them.
“Being able to do those things is the most important thing for me. Moreso than just signing the autographs, it’s about looking them in the eye and telling them we appreciate them and thanking them for coming out.”
