Noah Zerr made the write decision after being presented with a contract offer from the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“When I signed on that dotted line, I went, ‘Ohhhhh, shoot … we’re in the thick of it now,’ ” the 25-year-old offensive lineman said.
“I’ve got to make this count. I’ve got to work my butt off and I’ve got to carve out a spot on this talented roster. That was my first feeling.”
He was then reminded of the journey that led him to join the Green and White.
“Talking to my parents, that was the thing that really brought me back into reality,” the Langenburg-born Zerr said.
“My mom had no real indication of what she wanted me to do and what contract she wanted me to sign. We kind of went through the options and Saskatchewan was the best one.
“So I signed with Saskatchewan and she started crying. She was like, ‘This is your dream. It has been your dream forever.’
“I think I had gotten so caught up in the business of it that I forgot how special this team was to me and how magical it would be to play out that childhood dream that we all have of playing in our home province.”
He did just that in the Canada West ranks, starring for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies before being selected by the B.C. Lions in the second round (12th overall) of the 2022 CFL Draft.
He played in four games with B.C. during the 2022 CFL season before suiting up for three contests with the 2023 Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
On Dec. 22, the Roughriders announced that Zerr was coming home.
“When I entered the league two years ago, it was not something that I thought was maybe even a possibility,” the 6-foot-7, 330-pounder said from his off-season home in Saskatoon.
“I saw my career playing out with B.C. As every young athlete does, you get drafted to one team and you start planning out your future with that team. You forget that you stepped into a business.
“Playing in Saskatchewan wasn’t something that was necessarily on my radar, but it was always a dream that I wanted growing up.
“The reason I wanted to play in the CFL was because I wanted to play for the Roughriders. That was my biggest push.
“I was such a huge Roughriders fan growing up, in the days of old with Kory Sheets and Darian Durant. That 2013 (Grey Cup championship) team was historic to me.
“Those guys were my heroes and that was kind of the reason I chased football so hard.”
Zerr played in the high school ranks with the Yorkton Regional Raiders because Langenburg Central School does not have a football program.
After the 2015 football season, he returned to Langenburg for his final semester of high school so he could graduate with his long-time friends.
Next stop: Saskatoon, where he was a member of the Huskies from 2016 to 2021.
As a first-year Huskie, one of his teammates was Evan Johnson, who has spent the past three seasons with the Roughriders.
Zerr is also well-acquainted with two other veteran Roughriders offensive linemen. He knows Melfort-born Logan Ferland (from when they crossed paths in the high school ranks) and Peter Godber (a teammate with the 2022 Lions).
“The more time goes on, the better and better I feel about the decision,” Zerr said. “I just feel like everything’s in my corner.
“It’s one of those years when everything hits for you. Training camp is going to be at the University of Saskatchewan, which is amazing, and I have good friends on the team.
“There’s so many guys on that roster who I am so excited to start working out with and to start getting to know.
“I’m super-excited for the whole thing.”
The Zerr family shares those sentiments.
Robert Zerr, Noah’s father, is also a graduate of the Huskies football program.
Noah’s uncle, Doug Zerr, was a defensive end with the Prairie Football Conference’s Regina Rams before playing at Bemidji State University in Minnesota and eventually trying out for the Toronto Argonauts.
The latest CFL opportunity for a member of the Zerr family is also applauded by Noah’s mother (Patty), brother (Tanner) and two sisters (Taylor and Kaitlyn).
The extended family — consisting of residents of Langenburg and area — will also be following Noah’s progress with considerable interest.
“Being a professional athlete from Langenburg, maybe I wasn’t the first one, but I’m the first football player,” Zerr noted.
“I grew up with names like (Langenburg-born ex-NHLer) Kelly Buchberger and Jeff Odgers out in Rocanville. You’re surrounded by these guys who have lived out their dreams and have them mapped out. It’s really easy to believe that there might be bigger things for you.”
With that hope in mind, Jeremy O’Day opened talks with Zerr and ultimately signed him to a CFL contract.
“He’s a great college player that was drafted very high who is still young and learning the pro game, but has some experience,” the Roughriders’ Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager said.
“We looked at it as an opportunity for another offensive lineman to come in and compete. He was excited to come back home, obviously, with this being the province in which he played his college ball.
“He was excited to join the team, so we’re looking for him to come in and compete and push for a roster spot.”
Where better than in the home province?
“I hate to say that it’s fate or destiny,” Zerr said, “but it really feels like there couldn’t be a better opportunity for me.”
