SASKATOON — It isn’t as much about the autograph as it is the interaction.
Yes, Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker is pleased to provide his signature to anyone who asks. Judging by the response on Green and White Day, nobody fields more requests than No. 89.
But there is a connection that extends far beyond a few swirls of a felt marker.
Even if the lives of a Roughrider fan and Schaffer-Baker intersect for just a few seconds, all that time is maximized, meaningful and memorable.
“He has a great personality and he’s always likeable with the fans,” Aldin Pehlic said after his four-year-old son, Kairo, performed a touchdown dance for Schaffer-Baker at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on Saturday.
“He always approaches people while smiling. And he has a great nickname — Shake-and-Bake.”
A great story, too.
After being selected by Saskatchewan in the fourth round (30th overall) of the 2020 CFL Draft, the former University of Guelph Gryphons pass-catcher sat out an entire season — as did pretty much every football player in Canada — due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The pandemic also necessitated a delayed start to what would be a shortened 2021 CFL season.
“I definitely don’t miss getting my nose swabbed every single morning,” Schaffer-Baker reflected with a chuckle.
Once the Roughriders opened their 2021 training camp in July, Schaffer-Baker began making catch after catch after catch. He was impossible to miss for reasons other than his 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame.
Virtually out of nowhere, he became a force due to his production and, yes, personality.
Without the benefit of a pre-season game to ease the transition to pro football, Schaffer-Baker began making plays as soon as the opportunity arrived. He made 47 catches in 12 games as a rookie and hasn’t looked back since.
Now entering his fifth CFL season, he has caught 205 passes for 2,688 yards and 14 touchdowns.
He also established a Roughriders single-game post-season record by catching 12 passes in the 2024 Western Final against the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Less quantifiable, but still substantial, is the autograph count.
How many times did he sign his good name on Saturday? How many selfies? How many high-fives?
“My daughter doesn’t manage well in big crowds,” said Mike Mason, father of five-year-old Izzy, “but whatever Kian’s presence is, she feels that connection.”
The same applies to the entire Mason family— Mike, his wife Rebecca, and their three children (Seth, 16, Paeton, 13 and, the youngest, Izzy).
“Kian calls her ‘Princess,’ ” Rebecca said with a smile.
Why does Schaffer-Baker relate so well to children?
“He’s truly a kid at heart, so he’s able to connect with all of them,” said Karina Peterson, the Roughriders’ Manager, Game Entertainment and Community.
“He’s also great at prioritizing and being very intentional with the fans he interacts with. If there’s a big group, he’s very good at catching the person in the group that needs the fan interaction. It comes to him naturally, which is great.”
That innate trait was immensely beneficial for all concerned as he greeted hundreds of fans who lined the fence at SMF Field after the Roughriders worked out on Saturday.
All the players signed autographs and amicably accommodated the public.
Nearly an hour after the community-owned team conducted its final drill, most of the players were on the bus and ready to return to their Coors Light Training Camp base, the University of Saskatchewan.
Most of the fans were in their cars or already at home, having met or renewed acquaintances with all their favourite players.
Yet, there were at least 30 people waiting for Schaffer-Baker as he and running back A.J. Ouellette — also among the most popular Roughriders — continued to work the line.
The exchanges were priceless.
“Make sure you eat your fruits and vegetables,” Schaffer-Baker told one youngster.
When approached by one admirer who was wearing a No. 89 sweater, Schaffer-Baker said: “You look better in that jersey than I do.”
And on it went.
Autograph … high-five … fist-bump … selfie … (repeat).
“We appreciate you staying around and doing this,” one Rider Prider told Schaffer-Baker.
“It’s such a pleasure and an honour,” he replied.
Near the end of the line, Dwayne Bzdel marvelled at it all.
“He was the first guy out and he’ll be the last guy in,” said the 58-year-old Riders fan, who has yet to miss a training-camp session this year.
“For the first half-hour, I don’t think he moved more than three feet.”
Finally, Schaffer-Baker was near the Roughriders’ temporary dressing room at SMF Field. He had just finished meeting and greeting visitors from Saskatoon’s Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.
“Is that everybody?” he asked.
Well, it’s like this … no!
More autographs. More selfies. More smiles.
Only after every last request had been fulfilled, Schaffer-Baker smiled, waved and said, “Appreciate you guys!”
The feeling was mutual.
Not too long ago, growing up in Mississauga, Ont., Schaffer-Baker was one of the wide-eyed youngsters who looked up to professional athletes and stood in line hoping to meet them. It helps that he has seen both sides of the equation.
“I remember one of my first appearances with Kian,” said Peterson, who was the Roughriders’ Community Program Co-ordinator from May of 2022 until this past February.
“We arrived at the venue and the room was packed. I said to him, ‘All these people came to see you.’ He said, ‘It’s the most bizarre thing.’
“I think that’s part of it, too. He has this expectation that nobody’s going to show up and then, when everyone does, he’s always pleasantly surprised.”
Peterson’s anecdote dates back to Schaffer-Baker’s second CFL season. Now, seemingly in the blink of an eye, he is 27 and an established CFLer.
“This is Year 5,” Schaffer-Baker said of his tenure with the Roughriders. “Hopefully we can times that by five.
“You’ve got to be thankful for every single moment, because you never know when it could be the last. So I am just soaking it up, being where my feet are, and enjoying this blessing.”
