SASKATOON — Jermarcus Hardrick was tossing, turning and, at long last, returning.
On Sunday at Griffiths Stadium, the 11th-year CFL offensive lineman suited up for the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the first time since July 13th, when he suffered a season-ending quad injury against the host B.C. Lions.
“I couldn’t sleep last night,” Hardrick said after the first day of Coors Light Training Camp. “I was very emotional. I dreamed about this for the last 10 months.”
There were also some nightmares as Hardrick, twice an All-CFL selection, encountered adversity en route to making it back to the huddle.
“It didn’t seem possible at one time when I couldn’t even bend my leg,” he recalled. “My wife had to help me off the toilet, help me off the bed. It didn’t even seem like this day would come. January, February was a little rough.
“I finally took the brace off and started running a little bit. I had to re-learn how to walk and squat. It took a little more mental than physical.
“Just to be out here, man, it’s amazing. I’ll do this anytime.”
Hardrick was installed as the starting right tackle after being signed as a free agent by Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O’Day on Feb. 13, 2024.
The previous year, as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the genial giant nicknamed “Yoshi” was recognized as the West Division’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.
Saskatchewan proceeded to win its first four games with Hardrick in the lineup. He was injured early in the second half of the fifth game.
What did he miss the most over the next 301 days?
“Just having a chance to strap it on … to still be able to play a kids’ game … to be out here with my teammates and see the fans … all of it,” Hardrick told a trio of reporters, including a Riderville.com correspondent.
“I can’t name it. All of it. I missed you guys, too.”
Hardrick was missed in return — as a player, as a presence and, yes, as a guaranteed great quote.
“What he means to this team, he’s invaluable from that standpoint,” quarterback Trevor Harris said.
“For him to be out there with his brothers, I know that means so much to him. It means so much to all of us.
“I’m happy to hear his voice.”
Who can’t hear his voice?
Hardrick is impossible to miss at training camp — and not just because he is 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds. He brings boisterous enthusiasm and a joyous attitude to every practice, routinely elevating the decibel level.
“Did you hear him today?” Head Coach Corey Mace joked on Sunday.
Hardrick felt he was actually subdued, at least by his standards.
“I’m trying not to talk as much this day,” he said. “It’s all about the work, but the juices do get flowing and you can’t control yourself. I will be better at that.
“Other than that, I’m here to be a great leader. I’m going to try to be one of the guys who guys lean on and I’ll also try to lead by example. I definitely need to get better.”
While getting better in a physical sense, Hardrick seized opportunities to spend time in Saskatchewan communities as a player ambassador for the Roughrider Foundation.
In April, he travelled to La Loche with receivers Samuel Emilus and Shawn Bane Jr. Gainer also made the 850-kilometre journey from Regina.
To reach that point, Hardrick leaned on so many people.
“My wife … my kids … my (personal trainer), Victor … my friend Jeremy at the gym,” he began. “It was everything — just talking to Trevor, hitting guys up throughout the league …”
He also chatted with another respected leader, defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr., and was in close consultation with Head Athletic Therapist Greg Mayer.
“I was doing as much research as possible … watching Kobe (Bryant) videos … watching Kyrie (Irving) when he got hurt (in an NBA game),” Hardrick continued. “I was just seeing anything that was possible — anything that gave me a little edge.
“Some days, my workout was getting up and off the bed. There wasn’t a lot of lifting weights until later.”
All the while, though, he got a lift from his wife (Samantha) and three children (Jermarcus Jr., Santana and Lyla).
“It means a lot, especially with them being at an older age now,” a proud father said. “They understand it.
“Every day, it was like, ‘Daddy, we want you to keep playing,’ so I had to get up. It was motivating, just to see them see me work hard and work through something like that.
“They’ve seen me at the highs. They’ve seen me at the lows. They’ve seen me cry. They’ve seen me break down. They’ve seen me ask for help. They’ve seen me be vulnerable.
“I’m hard on them. They’re hard on me. But we love each other.”
Even on the toughest days, Hardrick — who turns 35 on May 30 — did not entertain the notion of retirement.
“I never thought about it,” he stated. “Until J.O. tells me not to show up or someone in the league tells me not to show up, I’m going to keep showing up.”
