“He’s just a good person”: Jorgen Hus is Roughriders’ nominee for Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award
Jorgen Hus snaps the football and, in times of reflection, his fingers.
A near-decade as a Saskatchewan Roughrider has seemingly elapsed in as much time as it takes to make a sharp sound that is, shall we say, digitally produced.
“I spend a little time thinking about it and I don’t know where the time has gone,” says Hus, the Roughriders’ long snapper since the 2015 CFL season.
“I’m thankful and fortunate to have been here for this long. You snap your fingers and the time goes by, you know?
“I’ve got a lot of good memories here and we have a really good team. That’s really all I’m focused on right now — this team and this year.”
Even so, he does appreciate an accolade of note.
On Tuesday, the Saskatoon-born Hus was named the Roughriders’ nominee for the Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award.
The award is presented each year to a CFL player who best exemplifies the attributes of Canada’s veterans in times of war, peace and military conflict.
Hus is in the running to become the third consecutive Roughrider to win the award, following Dan Clark (2022) and Brayden Lenius (2023).
“He’s just an awesome guy,” Head Coach Corey Mace says of Hus, “and we’re happy to have him.”
His presence is also appreciated by another key member of the special teams unit.
“I can’t say enough good things or stuff that people don’t know about Jorgen,” placekicker Brett Lauther says.
“For him to grow up in this province and play for this team, you know how much more that means.
“With what he does on the field and how good he has been for so long, he’s finally starting to get some recognition for that.
“Also, off the field, with any of the teachers or students, no matter what events he’s doing, he always has a smile on his face and he’s always spreading cheer and laughter.
“He’s just a good person.”
A 2007 graduate of St. Joseph High School, Hus played junior football for the hometown Saskatoon Hilltops before joining the University of Regina Rams as a linebacker and long snapper.
He joined the Roughriders in 2015 and promptly endured a three-win season.
“You see the ups and downs.” Hus says as the 2024 Roughriders await a home playoff game. “You play 10 years in this league and you’re going to get your fair share of both.
“I’m so happy to be on the other side of things now. We’ve got the right team and we’ve got the right personalities in here … a great coaching staff.
“There’s just a different togetherness with this team and this group, from top to bottom, that you can feel. It’s sure a lot of fun showing up every day.”
In the larger equation, he can show up virtually everywhere — given all the time he devotes to community and charitable events, near and far.
“I obviously enjoy doing it,” Hus says. “I’m from Saskatchewan and I really enjoy connecting the dots with people out there.
“Maybe it means a little bit more to me, just because I am from here, so I like visiting all over the province and going up north — as far as Black Lake, Fond du Lac and Uranium City.
“We’ve gone to remote places and I really enjoy doing things like that, so it’s pretty easy for me.”
Especially as someone who once looked at Roughriders players in wide-eyed fashion.
“I remember growing up watching Kenton Keith and Chris Szarka and all those guys,” says Hus, 35. “Those guys were like legends to me. I thought they were the biggest stars on Earth.
“Now it’s kind of silly. I look at everybody (on the team) as just my buddy. It’s really cool to be here, but I don’t forget what it was like growing up and watching this team play.
“I remember how much it meant to me then and know how much it means to me now.”