Mitchell Blair
From Regina Minor Football to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
It is a path many young football players in Regina want to take as they grow up wanting to be the next Weston Dressler, Tyron Brackenridge or Darian Durant. It’s a dream Neal Hughes got to live out for 11 years.
The popular Regina native called it a career on Wednesday afternoon, but he goes out saying it was the thrill of a lifetime to represent Regina for his entire football career both as a Rider and a member of the University of Regina Rams after a solid high school career with Thom Collegiate and Regina Minor Football.
As Hughes reflected back on what he did on the gridiron, he says he always had to prove himself and it is something he used as a motivator.
“A lot of people have told me in my life I couldn’t play because I was too small, or not fast enough.” Hughes said. “They said I could never play in the CFL so I took all that negativity and bottled it up to use it as motivation and it helped me stay dedicated and committed to my goal of playing for the Roughriders which is what I did.
That goal came close to coming to a screeching halt in 2004. It was thought the now 34 year old would be drafted after a great career with the University of Regina where he set numerous career records for rushing attempts (489), yards (2,934) and touchdowns (17) along with all-purpose yards (5,667). He also holds U of R single-game records for rushing yards (295) and all-purpose yards (318). Despite his efforts with the Rams, Hughes did not get drafted, but to his credit, the Riders signed him as a free agent and for the next decade he became a fixture for the football club. He says the last 11 years are years he will always look at with a smile on his face.
“It has been surreal,” Hughes stated. “I watched the Riders growing up sitting in section 205 and to actually play for them for 11 years was something I never dreamed of doing. It was unbelievable I’m at a loss for words when I think of it. Everytime I put that helmet on and run out of that tunnel, it was like I was doing it for the first time. I would soak it all in and just look around the stadium with amazement and then flip that switch and get ready to play. I never ever got tired of doing that.”
Assistant general manager and director of football operations Jeremy O’Day had the chance to play with Hughes for several years before moving upstairs. He paid tribute to Hughes saying he is an example of what football in Saskatchewan is all about.
“On the field, Neal was a general manager’s dream because he played many positions which made him so versatile, but it was what he did off the field as well.” O’ Day said. “He has spent countless hours in this community and has travelled throughout the province talking to people every off-season. He has been a tremendous ambassador and he will be very hard to replace.”
Hughes calls it a career having scored 14 touchdowns and being on two Grey Cup championship squads with the victory over Hamilton in 2013 at Mosaic Stadium being something he will never forget because of the scene inside the stadium as the game ended and Rider fans had experienced something they will never forget.
As Hughes walks into the sunset, he admits he probably won’t be at each home game as he will have other things on his agenda.
“I want to spend some time with my family,” Hughes admitted at his farewell gathering. “I have an uncle who always watches games in his garage so I will probably check out some games with him. I won’t be a stranger here though and that’s a promise.”
