Riderville.com
Eyebrows were raised when the Saskatchewan Roughriders announced they had signed receiver Jamel Richardson to a contract in December. The 33 year old had not played since midway through the 2013 season after suffering a knee injury while playing with the Montreal Alouettes, and there were rumblings his career was done. The decision by GM Brendan Taman to sign the vet has turned out to be a shrewd one, three weeks into the CFL season Richardson has shown his career is far from over.
As Richardson and the rest of the Riders prepare for Friday’s home game against the B.C Lions, the 11 year vet is nearing a milestone with 597 career catches. He says considering where he has been, that will be an achievement to be proud of.
“Having 600 catches will be something to be proud of,” Richardson said. “The last couple of years has been tough, but my will is too powerful. I had faith I could come back from the injury and yes, it was a tough time, but I knew I could play and I was thrilled when I got that call from the Riders because I knew I had a lot left.”
The play of Richardson has left his position coach gushing.
“Jamel hasn’t surprised me, but he has surprised everyone else,” receivers coach Jermaine Copeland said during a Wednesday appearance on 620 CKRM’s Sportscage. “He has been a big-time receiver in this league, but that injury knocked him off his horse. I was fired up when I found out he was coming here because I knew he had something to prove. The only thing I was worried about was whether or not his knee could hold up, but I just thought if we could get him out of the mode where he was thinking about his knee and he could run fluently that he could contribute. I’m fired up to have him here because I know he is just going to get better and better.”
While Richardson sat on the sidelines wondering what his football future held, his confidence never wavered because he knew at some point he would strap the helmet on again.
“It was hard to watch, but I always knew I would be back.” Richardson said with a confident tone. “I didn’t know where I would go, but I knew I would be back and I am so thankful for the opportunity I have been given. There is some validation because I think I have shown I can be a threat, and if all goes well, I think I can be the player I used to be. I still have it and you have to account for me when I’m out there because if you don’t, you’re going to pay for it.”
Richardson goes into Friday’s game having caught 12 passes for 159 yards. He knows he is not the focus of the Rider scheme, but he’s having a lot of fun with an offence that goes into Friday’s game against the Lions ranked number one in many categories.
“This offence is complex and I don’t even think we have scratched the surface over what we can do,” Richardson claimed. “That is what is so exciting about this offence and while we have shown what we’re capable of in the first three weeks, we are capable of so much more.”
While Richardson is doing his part contributing to the Saskatchewan offense, he says he is also doing his part for the next generation of pass-catchers by doing for them what a former Rider did for him when he made his CFL debut with the green-and-white in 2003.
“When I first came to this league, Travis Moore took me under his wing.” Richardson said. “He taught me the tricks of the trade and what I have to do to get better every day. We have a lot of young guys on this team and if I can do for them what Travis did for me and show them a couple of things. If those guys can see my drive and my intensity and I can show them the way to conduct business than that is nothing but a positive and I enjoy having those conversations with the young guys and showing them what it takes.
Richardson’s resume in the CFL is an impressive one. Not only is he reaching 600 career receptions, but he is a Grey Cup MVP and has five, 1000 yard seasons during his days with the Alouettes. Richardson makes it clear that after he has caught his last pass in the CFL that he wants to be remembered as one of the best to play the game.
“The end isn’t near.” Richardson exclaimed. “I want to be playing this game for a while yet. When you are done, this game is about how you will be remembered. What I want them to say about me is he one of the best to ever play the game and he left it all on the field. I want to wear a Hall of Fame jacket and these next couple of years will determine if I can get one of those or not. This isn’t a one year comeback as far as I’m concerned.”
