Evan Johnson was amenable to a snap chat.
The premise of the conversation: The single, solitary offensive snap he has sat out in two seasons as a starting offensive lineman with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
In 2021, Johnson was on the field for all 946 of the Green and White’s offensive plays, spanning 16 regular-season or playoff games.
He followed up last year by going an impressive 1,044-for-1,045.
“I missed a single snap when we were in Montreal,” the Roughriders’ reliable right guard says with a chuckle.
“It was on a one-play possession — the very last play of the game when we were just kneeling down.”
The date: June 23, 2022.
The venue: Percival Molson Stadium.
The time of day: 10:18 p.m., EDT.
On the preceding play, the Alouettes — leading 37-13 — had punted the football. Samuel Emilus fielded a Joseph Zema boot and returned the kick 10 yards to the Roughriders’ 29-yard line.
Then quarterback Mason Fine, who had replaced first-stringer Cody Fajardo early in the fourth quarter, led the offence on to the field one final time, for one obligatory exercise.
For that play only, utility offensive lineman Jamal Campbell lined up at right guard. Johnson was in the unaccustomed position of watching the offence from the sideline.
One second remained when head referee Andre Proulx whistled time-in.
“I looked up at the clock and said, ‘OK, sure,’ ” Johnson says in typically easygoing fashion.
Fine dutifully accepted the snap from centre Logan Bandy and knelt down. Game over.
Nine days henceforth, Johnson began a new and noteworthy consecutive-snaps streak — now at 868 — when the Roughriders defeated the Alouettes 41-20 at Mosaic Stadium.
The bottom line, according to Johnson: “I played 100 per cent of the meaningful snaps.”
Plus 80 more on special teams, during field-goal and convert attempts. That is on top of 60 special-teams snaps in 2021.
None of this should be even remotely surprising, considering Johnson’s demonstrated durability and dedication.
Since debuting in the CFL with the Ottawa REDBLACKS in 2017, the Regina-born Johnson has played in 87 of a possible 89 regular-season or playoff games.
The only void: The two games he sat out due to injury in 2018.
Since signing with Saskatchewan as a free agent on Feb. 9, 2021, Johnson has been on the field for 1,990 of a possible 1,991 offensive snaps.
The percentage: 99.949774.
The objective for 2023 and far beyond: 100 per cent — and a disappearing decimal point.
“I think it’s a goal every year,” Johnson states. “The goal going into every year is to be healthy and play and contribute.
“Usually, the only reason that you’re not going to get 100 per cent is if you’re hurt. Ideally, I have a healthy season and I don’t miss a single play and I’m able to help the team every single snap that I’m out there.”
That mindset has been noted — and appreciated — by Craig Dickenson.
“Evan Johnson is the epitome of a professional,” the Roughriders’ head coach says. “He never misses a day of work. He takes care of his body, he is always prepared, and he is willing and ready to play any position up front that we ask.
“He’s a true pro in every sense of the word and a player that leads by example from the moment he walks into the facility.”
That sentiment has been reinforced over 1,990 plays — and is therefore the antithesis of a snap judgment.
