Defensive lineman Micah Johnson had to switch from his defensive No. 4 jersey to No. 57 allowing him to transition to the offensive line during the 59th Labour Day Classic.
Two members from the Saskatchewan Roughriders equipment staff assisted Johnson, tugging on the jersey from multiple angles to complete the swap, transforming the CFL’s sack leader into a right guard.
“It just comes down to you not wanting to let your guys down. So, when my number is called on offence, I'm ready to step up. And that's really all it is, accountability and trying to be there for your team.”
Johnson played offence for most of the second half, inspiring teammates like receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker.
“That speaks volumes to his character and who he is as a man. He’s such a great leader on the team. Watching him be able to go out there on offence and defence, leave everything out there every single play, not everyone can do that,” Schaffer-Baker said.
“We all need to learn from him and take the tenacity that he brings to this game every single day.”
In his 11th season in the CFL and fourth with the Riders, Johnson is looking for answers to end the Roughrider's six-game winless streak.
“We got to keep fighting. Nobody’s losing confidence in each other. Eventually, things will turn, and things will spin our way,” Johnson said.
Saskatchewan hasn’t won a game since July 19th but just 21 points have decided the outcomes in those six games. If you remove the eleven-point loss to Edmonton in week 9, the average margin in the five games drops to 2 points, which isn’t lost on Johnson.
“I fell like it’s been crazy stuff that’s happened down this stretch of losses, and there’s so much good things that we’re doing out there on the field. We got to figure out the difference between (winning and losing) is two to three plays, sometimes one play being the difference.”
Saskatchewan will be looking to get back in the win column on Saturday when they head to Winnipeg for the Banjo Bowl, and Johnson knows what they need to do to turn things around.
“It's only going to get tougher from here. Every game counts; every game will be under a microscope from here on out. We have to find a way to play mistake-free football.”
As for Schaffer-Baker, he knows the locker room is ready to follow their leader.
“You gotta love a little adversity. We know when we all play together, nothing can stop us and now one can come in our way. We ain’t flinching. That’s all we know. We ain’t never going to flinch.”
The Riders will take on the Blue Bombers Saturday at 2 p.m. at Princess Auto Stadium with the 620 CKRM Countdown to Kick-off starting at 11 a.m. You can watch the pre-game show LIVE on YouTube and listen to the game with yours truly and Luc Mullinder on the 620 CKRM Cooperators Roughrider Radio Network.
