Skip to content
The tough year for the Roughriders continues as the team suspended American linebacker Gary Johnson Jr. for a game for violating his code of conduct following an altercation last Friday night.
Saskatchewan head coach Craig Dickenson addressed the incident and the discipline that followed.
“We put Gary Johnson on the suspension list. He came in first thing on Saturday morning, admitted to being involved in an altercation, took full responsibility and we eventually suspended him for violating our code of conduct,” Dickenson said.
The six-foot-tall, 230-pound native of Douglas, Alabama, has played in two games for the Riders this season and made his 2022 debut two weeks ago in Saskatchewan’s 34-23 win over the Edmonton Elks. The University of Texas product has spent three years with the green-whites, playing 10 games and amassing nine defensive tackles, 14 special teams tackles and a sack.
Dickenson “didn’t want to go into detail”, the bank boss felt what Johnson admitted was enough to justify the ban imposed by the team.
“We truly believe that when you’re out and about in town, you represent the club and are held to a higher standard,” Dickenson said.
Johnson’s suspension is just the latest controversy to engulf the Riders this season. Defensive lineman Garrett Marino earned a four-game suspension for a low hit against Ottawa quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, as well as racially insensitive comments made about Masoli during Saskatchewan’s Week 5 matchup against the Redblacks. Marino returned from his suspension to play in last week’s game against the BC Lions.
Receiver Duke Williams was handed a one-game suspension following his antics during the pre-game of July’s Touchdown Atlantic game against the Toronto Argonauts. Williams threw a helmet at Argos’ defenseman Shaq Richardson, while the Argos also accused the 2018 League All-Star of spitting at Richardson twice, which both the team and the player denied.
“It’s life,” Dickenson said when asked if this was the latest in a long line of incidents involving Riders players in 2022.
Saskatchewan has demonstrated a lack of discipline on the field this season, leading the CFL in penalty kicks (103) and second in total penalty kicks (914), behind only the Montreal Alouettes. It seems like players’ inability to control themselves on the field is spreading into actions off it.
However, Dickenson believes the Johnson incident is unique.
“He feels bad for putting the club in a bad light, he’s very remorseful and I don’t think that will happen again,” said Dickenson. “He will pay the price and hopefully learn his lesson.”