Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick is a two-time Grey Cup Champion and earned the Most Outstanding Offensive Linemen award in 2023. Not only that, he is a two-time CFL all-star.
These achievements would make him legendary in his hometown of Batesville, Mississippi, however, according to Hardrick, there is someone more famous than him.
"Because of music, I go with Soulja Boy," Hardrick explained on the SportsCage. "He was in my graduating class."
DeAndre Cortez Way, better known as Soulja Boy, rose to fame in the music industry when he released his song 'Crank That' in 2007 when it peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for seven non-consecutive weeks.
"He was rapping when he was younger. He was one of the guys. We all rode a school bus, our bus number was 937," Hardrick said. "We saw him on BET and never saw him again at school."
Way and Hardrick last connected when he was playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 108th Grey Cup. The Bombers would go on to win the game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33-25.
"I sent him a message that we were listening to one of his songs in the locker room and he messaged me back," Hardrick said.
Hardrick has been out with a quad injury since Week 6 against the B.C. Lions, as the Riders lost 35-20. The Injury occurred three minutes into the third quarter when his left leg caught underneath him while blocking defensive lineman Josh Archibald.
One of the activities that Hardrick wants to learn but has never done before is skate.
"I want to learn, I want to get out there and fall," Hardrick said. "I'm at the point in my life where I like to do things that are hard, they're new, and it makes me get out of my comfort zone."
The Roughriders host the Stampeders at Mosaic Stadium for Saskatchewan's last regular season game on Saturday, October 26. Countdown to Kick-off begins with a chance to watch Justin Dunk and Wes Cates live at 2 p.m. on YouTube. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder join at 4 p.m. with the kick-off to follow at 5 p.m. on the Co-operators Roughrider Radio Network.
