Evan Johnson returned from a road trip — one that took him home — just in time to embark on another road trip.
Does that sound crazy? Confusing, even?
Well, that’s the kind of wild and wonderful week it was for the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ starting left guard, who recently became a father for the second time.
Levi Robert Johnson was born on Aug. 8 in Saskatoon — which is also the home base for Evan, his wife Dallis, and their two-year-old son, Maverick.
Evan was able to complete the drive from Regina to Saskatoon just in time to witness the birth of little Levi.
After spending time with his newly expanded family, Evan motored back to Regina on Aug. 10. Mere minutes after pulling into the parking lot at Mosaic Stadium, he boarded a bus to the airport and accompanied his team to Montreal for Friday’s CFL game against the Alouettes.
Whew!
“Add on the fact that it was a short week, too, because we played on Sunday at home here and we had to fly out on Thursday, so we had all that going on in the meantime, too,” Johnson noted after practising at Mosaic Stadium on Wednesday.
“It was a whirlwind — being on standby, driving like mad to get up there, and welcoming the addition home. I basically was able to bring the family back to the house, get a little bit of sleep, and then hit the highway back down here.
“It was definitely a stressful, stressful week, but everyone’s happy and doing really well, so I’m just really, really happy.”
That could be any day in the life of the perpetually pleasant Evan Johnson. Factor in the joy of becoming a second-time father and the omnipresent smile broadens.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “The first time is scary. The second time is scary, too, but you have a little bit better idea of what to expect.
“I was fortunate that I was able to be in-province and make the drive to Saskatoon and I got there just in time.
“It was such a special moment to be there with my family and be there for the birth of my second son. We’re just absolutely thrilled.”
The Regina-born Johnson returned to the Queen City from Montreal in the wee hours of Saturday morning.
A little later in the day, the former University of Saskatchewan Huskies standout visited the stadium to undergo treatment — a routine process for anyone who plays the gruelling game of football — before heading back to Saskatoon and being able to chill until mid-week neared.
“I basically told the training staff, ‘Hey, I’m heading north for the next several days,’ so they set me up,” Johnson said. “They did a good job of getting me ready to go up to Saskatoon and be away from the stadium and all the facilities that we have here.
“I’m just maintaining.”
After a highly compressed schedule last week, Johnson appreciated the fact that the Roughriders did not return to the practice field until Wednesday. Their next game is on Sunday against the B.C. Lions (5 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
Appropriately enough, from Johnson’s perspective, the looming CFL contest has an accompanying Family Day theme.
“It was wonderful (to spend some time at home),” he said. “It was where my heart was the whole time.
“I love my family and try to be a family man. To be able to spend a couple of days there (in Saskatoon) with my toddler, Maverick … he’s two now and he’s going through big changes, having a little brother in the house now, too.
“To be able to see my wife Dallis and being able to hold the little guy while I was up there, too, it all meant a lot.
“My wife has been an absolute trouper. We’ve had really good help and support from her family as well. Without her strength and the support of Dallis and her family, I probably wouldn’t have made it out to Montreal.
“I’m super-thankful to have her as a wife and as a life partner.”
