Watch above: Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Jamel Richardson fighting his way back to the CFL after a knee injury sidelined him for two years. Kim Thue reports on what’s driving his return to the gridiron.
SASKATOON – From 2008 to 2012, Jamel Richardson was one of the most prolific receivers in the Canadian Football League. He’s a two-time Grey Cup Champion, a Grey Cup MVP and a two-time CFL all star.
However a season ending knee injury while practicing in August 2013 looked like it may have ended his career prematurely. After sitting out all of the 2014 season, Richardson is making a triumphant return to the football field.
“Just being around the fellas, just being around this turf, just being around football again is a blessing,” admits Richardson. “It’s been a long two years for me and just to get back out here and getting another shot at it I’m just going to take it and run with it and take full advantage of my opportunity.”
Richardson tore his LCL and ACL in his left knee in August 2013. Almost two full years removed from the injury, it’s now all about trusting that his knee will hold up.
“Before training camp I was a little bit nervous but as we kept practicing and days kept going by I’m getting more confident in my route running and my ability to make plays,” says the Syracuse, N.Y. product.
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With a week of Rider camp in the books, the people around Richardson are starting the see glimpses of the receiver that led the Montreal Alouettes to back-to-back Grey Cup Championships.
“He’s still getting back into football shape, he hasn’t played in a while,” says Richardson’s starting quarterback Darian Durant. “But you definitely see why he was a huge part of those back to back Grey Cup Championships out in Montreal. He’s a smart guy, he knows how to read defenses and he brings that intensity.”
“I am starting to see glimpses in him,” adds head coach Corey Chamblin. “We understand where he is age wise. Some of the things he did before he may not be able to do but he can still do a lot of things that we need him to do.”
Adding intrigue to Richardson’s return to the CFL is the fact that he’s returning to the place it all started as he spent the first four years of his career in Green and White.
Richardson’s first year with the Riders – 2003 – was also the last season Kevin Glenn spent in Saskatchewan, before he himself made a return this year as well.
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The two hold a special bond after beginning story book career’s side-by-side.
“We did a lot of good things when we were here our first time,” says Glenn. “You could tell and you could see that our progression over those first couple of years that we were going to be some guys that would be able to linger around the CFL this long.”
Richardson adds that he and Glenn were a “dynamic duo” back in 2003.
“When we practiced together it was special. He brought the best out of me. He told me before every practice to go out there and work on my craft and work hard. He pushed me back then when I was a little young jitterbug, was 20 years old and didn’t know anything about being a professional.”
At age 33, Richardson is now an ole wily vet, hoping there is enough gas left in the tank to help the Riders once again climb to the top of the CFL mountain.
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