Jermarcus Hardrick leads all CFL offensive linemen in carries.
Last Thursday, for example, the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ right tackle hoisted Shea Patterson on to his right shoulder after the first-time CFL starting quarterback received a game ball amid the celebration of a 30-23 victory over the visiting Toronto Argonauts.
“I’ve been playing football like this since I was in the seventh grade,” the 34-year-old Hardrick said. “It’s all I know — having fun with your teammates and loving all your teammates.
“It’s my love language — talking crazy and celebrating with my teammates. Sometimes it doesn’t work the way I want. Sometimes I have to call people at night and apologize because it’s my love language, but that’s me.”
Hardrick’s presence on and off the field contributed to the Roughriders’ determination to make him a high-priority free-agent signing in February.
He spent the previous seven seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, on whose behalf he was a CFL All-Star in 2021 and 2023. As well, he was named the West Division’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman last season.
Before joining the Bombers, Hardrick spent time in the CFL with the B.C. Lions (in 2014) and the Roughriders (2015).
Therefore, his exuberance — and impromptu lifting of teammates — isn’t anything novel to veteran long snapper Jorgen Hus.
“I remember him from back in 2015 when he was with us before and he did that then, too,” Hus said with a laugh. “I always hold my breath when he does it, because you never know.
“With the energy that he brings and what he has done for that O-line, there’s no questions about it. He has made a massive impact and it has just been fun to watch.
“He’s got more miles and a few more laps around the sun, but he’s the same guy. He’s awfully fun to be around. He’s always in a good mood. I love the guy. He’s as good of a teammate as you’re ever going to find.”
The only possible downside relates to the laws of physics.
Since the outset of training camp, Hardrick has been quick to congratulate teammates — many of whom are considerably smaller — with resounding chest-bumps, bearhugs, lifts, etc.
“I’m calming down,” Hardrick noted. “The last thing I want to do is hurt guys or have guys running from me, but sometimes I forget I’m 300 pounds. Sometimes I’m full speed and, when I get there, the brakes don’t work like they used to.
“I’m not trying to hit people and knock them out. I’m just trying to celebrate with them.”
There has been plenty to celebrate so far. Hardrick has helped the Roughriders enjoy a 4-0 start to the 2024 regular season.
Dating back to the tail end of the 2019 season, Hardrick (nickname: Yoshi) is on a 52-12 roll, including playoff and Grey Cup appearances.
“There are all the intangibles outside of the football player that he is that you want in the locker room and things we ID’d right away as far as the importance of trying to build a winning culture here,” Head Coach Corey Mace said.
“He certainly knows what that looks like throughout his career. Just having that life and that juice, you can’t go wrong with that. Yosh is the man.”
Not to mention a man-sized presence.
“Every offensive play, he’s running down the field like a receiver, and it’s infectious,” Mace said. “You see the other offensive linemen doing it.
“You see the style of play around him and what they’re soaking up from him. If there’s ever any kind of a lull, he’s going to be the one to pick it up.”
Or to pick someone up.
“The best part of it is that none of it is planned,” Hardrick said. “It’s just organic. I just love it, man. It doesn’t feel like work.
“I love anytime we can do anything as a unit, so anytime we score a touchdown and everyone gets in the end zone together, that’s my joy there. I love celebrating with my teammates and watching other people smile.
“It’s almost like when you go home late and night and see your wife and kids sleeping. There’s that peace and fulfillment you get from, ‘Man, they’re sleeping good and they’re not worried about anything.’ Little things like that make me happy.”
That has been the case since he was a youngster in Batesville, Miss., watching then-Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre routinely lift up receivers and carry them off the field after a touchdown pass.
“I’m a big Brett Favre fan,” Hardrick said. “I’m from Mississippi, so I grew up watching Brett Favre, Walter Payton and Jerry Rice. They’re all from Mississippi.
“I watched Brett Favre my whole life. In Mississippi, everyone loved Brett Favre growing up. He showed us how to play football.
“I’m a small-town country guy. You only get to watch TV one day a week and it was football. That’s what it was.
“When I was in the seventh grade, I looked at him and he was 30-something and almost 40 and still playing like that. That let me know that I could still play like that. It’s a kids’ game.”
Professional football is serious business, but it still brings out the kid in Hardrick.
“Small-town guys, you have to be creative,” he concluded. “A lot of places ain’t got nothin’ but a watermelon plant and a chicken plant and no concrete, so you have to make a lot of fun growing up. I just keep it going.”
