Quarterback Cody Fajardo. (File photo courtesy of the Saskatchewan Roughriders)

By Britton Gray/ CJME News

Fajardo apologizes for post-game comments after Riders’ loss

Oct 6, 2021 | 10:06 AM

After quarterback Cody Fajardo made comments about the lack of big plays through the air, the Saskatchewan Roughriders cleared it on Tuesday.

Following the Roughriders’ 23-17 loss to the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, Fajardo made comments that suggested receivers weren’t coming up with his deep passes, saying they were either being intercepted or falling incomplete.

Fajardo said Tuesday he felt bad about the comments, so he tried to make amends on the plane home and apologized to the receivers in person.

“I let the frustrations of the game and emotions of the game affect me,” Fajardo said. “It’s been a tough weekend on me to not only lose the game but to also know you hurt some people’s feelings …

“(The receivers) have done a tremendous job all year fighting — some guys have had short weeks to get prepared — and the biggest thing for me is realizing if I just played better in that game, we’re not in that situation.

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“It wasn’t really on anyone but myself. I played terrible in that game in my opinion.”

The final play for the Riders’ offence was a shot down the field to slotback Ricardo Louis, but the ball ended up in the hands of Calgary defensive back Jonathan Moxey.

After the play, Fajardo was visibly frustrated on the sidelines. Fajardo also jogged to the locker room right after the final whistle, forgoing the handshakes between the teams.

“I spazzed out like a child on the sideline. Someone took my toy away and I spazzed out,” Fajardo said Tuesday. “(That was) very immature by me.”

Louis said the receivers accepted his apology and they handled thing inside the room.

“It’s just a matter of continuing to grow together as a team and as a unit and just move past the adversity,” Louis said. “Cody decided to throw to me and give me a chance. After the game, I was more upset that I didn’t make the play. I feel like I can make that play.”

Offensive co-ordinator Jason Maas said it was a much-needed apology.

“I think Cody said some things that he regretted and he owned it,” Maas said. “It’s like brothers in a family. You’re sometimes going to say things you don’t necessarily mean or wish you could take back.

“The greatest sin is that he aired it in public. That’s taboo in football and hard unless you’ve got a great group of guys and we do.

“It’s hopefully water under the bridge and we will just learn from it and get better from all of us.”

After Tuesday’s practice, the offence held a meeting for everyone to get a chance to vent their frustrations. The Riders’ offence is tied for the fewest number of big plays in the league, with 12 through eight games.

“I don’t want any animosity and there’s no way you can win a Grey Cup if there is some animosity,” Fajardo said. “Guys said some things out there and I think we became a much closer unit because of it.”

The Riders will try to win the rematch with the Stamps on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

Notes: Head coach Craig Dickenson said slotback Duke Williams isn’t expected to be able to practise this week but could possibly play in the Oct. 23 game against the Stamps after the Riders’ bye week … Dickenson said Shaq Evans is still about three to four weeks away from returning from a broken foot … Slotback Jordan Williams-Lambert isn’t expected to return this season. Dickenson said the receiver is at home in the U.S. dealing with a wrist injury … Kicker Brett Lauther didn’t practise Tuesday but is expected to return on Wednesday.