Technically, Nick Wiebe became a pro football player the moment he signed a CFL contract with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
But now the paperwork is an afterthought and the hard work is about to be richly rewarded.
After being sidelined by a knee injury he suffered 10 months ago as a member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, the rookie linebacker is poised to suit up on Saturday against the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“You’re a professional now, right?” Wiebe told reporters on Thursday. “You don’t worry about Comm 211 anymore in your day-to-day life.
“Obviously, there’s a lot more focus on football. It’s your job now, so you get paid for it. It’s an all-day thing.
“You go home and you don’t put your feet up. You’re on the iPad. You’re watching tape. You’re getting your body right doing mobility stuff.
“It’s a whole different beast, but it has been awesome. If you love football, you’re going to love being a professional.”
The Roughriders selected Wiebe in the second round (12th overall) of the 2024 CFL Draft even though he was recovering from a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament.
He required surgery after being injured in a Canada West semi-final against the University of Alberta Golden Bears on Nov. 4.
Wiebe recently began practising with the Roughriders after receiving medical clearance. Now he is ready for the next step — a momentous one at that.
“I’ve had the most fun the last two weeks that I’ve had in the last year,” he said. “It has been awesome.”
Wiebe’s progression is comparable to that of defensive back Jaxon Ford, who was Saskatchewan’s second-round pick (11th overall) last year.
Ford, like Wiebe, had been sidelined since the outset of training camp. Having recovered from a broken wrist, the former University of Regina Rams standout is ready for his second season of CFL on-field duty.
“I’m thrilled to be out here,” Ford said. “Working for 12 weeks on the sidelines was definitely tough.
“It’s a blessing to be back. I’m truly happy.”
BROWN FINED
Roughriders defensive tackle Miles Brown was fined by the CFL on Thursday for delivering a hit high hit on Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros during Sunday’s Labour Day Classic.
After the game, Blue Bombers President-CEO Wade Miller voiced his displeasure over a collision that forced Collaros to the sideline at Mosaic Stadium.
Although Brown was penalized for roughing the passer, the officials did not feel an ejection was warranted.
“Any player that hits a quarterback low or in the head after the play should receive a rough-play disqualification,” Miller told the Winnipeg Free Press. “The Saskatchewan player now has two such hits this year alone on quarterbacks.”
Brown responded to Miller’s comments following Thursday’s practice.
“If that’s how he feels, it’s very clear he doesn’t know me,” the 27-year-old defensive tackle said. “I’m just going to have to leave it at that.”
That said, Brown patiently fielded follow-up questions.
“It’s quite difficult when you’re running full-speed to stop on a dime,” the 6-foot-2, 320-pounder said. “That’s not something that’s physically possible for a lot of men my size. It’s not something that’s possible for me.”
Hence the collision at 13:42 of Sunday’s second quarter.
“As I was closing in on him, I was directly in line with him,” Brown said. “I was so close that I knew I was going to make contact with him, but I also knew I wasn’t going to get the sack.
“When I realized that, I turned my head away from him to try to avoid head-to-head contact and inadvertently made contact with his face mask — which warranted a penalty.
“I think (referring to Brown as) a dirty player with malicious intent is a little too far, especially for me. I’m not that kind of person. I’m not that kind of player. You don’t gain anything from playing dirty.
“Not at all did I mean to try to hurt him or intend to hit him in the head. I genuinely believed I had hit him in his chest. I turned my head away from him so I didn’t hit him in the head.
“It’s a football play and sometimes it happens.”
Brown had previously been flagged for roughing the passer on Aug. 8, when the Ottawa REDBLACKS’ Dru Brown left the game with a leg injury.
The Roughriders’ Brown was tripped up while rushing the passer and momentum carried him into the quarterback’s legs.
“In the other situation, with Dru Brown, you’re asking a lot (to avoid such a hit),” Roughriders Head Coach Corey Mace noted.
“The idea behind it is to keep quarterbacks safe and, really, all players safe. That’s something I definitely get behind. While it’s hard, you’ve got to find a way.”
TREVOR’S TAKE
Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris was asked on Thursday about the oft-discussed issue of protecting signal-callers such as himself, Collaros and others around the league.
“It’s a really difficult spot that defenders are in, because it’s a bang-bang play,” Harris noted.
“At the last second, we hook-slide, and they have to avoid us, like they’re Neo from The Matrix. It just doesn’t make a lot of sense. It’s tough.
“Honestly, I think we should have to dive head-first. I think it’s a little bit easier for them to figure that out from there.
“Ultimately, when we run the football, we’re running backs. I don’t think we give up our protection there.
“In terms of hitting us low or hitting us in the head while we’re in the pocket or sailor diving into our face, those are the things that I think we can eliminate.”
EXTRA POINTS
• The Roughriders on Thursday announced the signing of 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive tackle Tairiq Stewart, who had a stint with the Edmonton Elks earlier this season. He spent the previous three seasons at North Carolina A&T. Due to injuries, the Roughriders have started 11 different offensive linemen this season. That number will increase to 12 on Saturday when Noah Zerr makes his first CFL start.
• Stewart is the 4,497th documented player in franchise history, dating back to the Club’s inception as the Regina Rugby Club in 1910. Wiebe is about to become the 2,178th player to dress for the team in a regular-season or playoff game.
• According to an injury list issued on Thursday by the Roughriders, centre Peter Godber (ankle), guard Zack Fry (elbow), receiver Dohnte Meyers (shoulder) and linebacker Melique Straker (hip) are listed as out for Saturday’s game. Ford, Wiebe, defensive back Amari Henderson (shoulder) and receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker (hip/hand) are listed as available.
• Saturday’s game will be shown on CTV, beginning at 1 p.m., Saskatchewan time.
