Hardrick savours memories of Big Blue

Peeking out of Jermarcus Hardrick’s Saskatchewan Roughriders Grey Cup hoodie on Wednesday was a tattoo that you wouldn’t expect to see on someone in green and white.

Displayed on his left forearm is the Grey Cup trophy, featuring the Winnipeg Blue Bombers logo and their unofficial mantra: FIFO — which stands for Fit in or F-off.

Hardrick, a standout right tackle for the Bombers from 2016-23, got inked shortly after Winnipeg captured the top prize in Canadian football in 2019. He wasn’t the only one.

“We literally got (to the tattoo parlour) at eight in the morning and we left by midnight. Every other hour a truck (with players) was pulling up… and next thing I know we looked up and everyone had blood on their arms,” said Hardrick during media day at the RBC Convention Centre.

“We ordered food there twice. That’s how long we were there… It was one of our last days together and it was amazing.”

Hardrick started to pull down his sleeve when first asked about the artwork on his arm on Wednesday. Don’t get it twisted: he cherished his time in Winnipeg.

“It was a blast. When I look back on it after I retire, that’s what it’s going to be about,” said the 35-year-old.

“I enjoyed the hell out of my time in Winnipeg… And that O-line, they helped me grow as a man, as a father, as a player. They just helped me grow, man, and I’m forever grateful. The biggest thing – Paddy (Patrick Neufeld), Stan (Stanley Bryant), Osh (Mike O’Shea)– those guys showed me how to be a pro. When I came in, I was on my third team in three years and was still trying to figure it out.”

After the Bombers fell short in the 2023 Grey Cup, Hardrick knew he was going to test the free agency waters to maximize his value. The Blue and Gold presented a strong offer, but the Riders — coming off a dismal 6-12 campaign — made one he couldn’t refuse.

The other side of the Prairie rivalry signed Hardrick to a two-year term that solidified him as the highest paid American offensive lineman in the CFL.

“We were tired of him pushing our guys after the play was over. That’s kind of a joke, but it’s not really,” said Riders general manager Jeremy O’Day.

The move came two months after the Riders named Corey Mace their new head coach.

Money was the main factor, but O’Day credits Mace for getting Hardrick’s deal across the finish line.

“It’s difficult. He’s with a great organization that has a great head coach and they’re having a lot of success. So, how does that happen? The answer is Corey Mace,” said O’Day.

“Our head coach is a player’s coach and a guy players want to play for. In some cases, we just got to get Corey on the phone once they become free agents and let him talk to him because it’s a very genuine conversation.”

Mace couldn’t contain his excitement when it became official Hardrick was hopping over to Regina.

“I don’t know if it was a sprint because I don’t know if I can do that anymore, but there was some fast-paced jogging through the hallways, some yells, some celebration,” said Mace.

“I think the mental makeup of how he works is how the people of Saskatchewan work… He’s a hard-working person and no matter what is put in front of him, there’s not going to be quit, it’s just going to be hard work and people of Saskatchewan are about that… That’s what I want, and that’s what I wanted, and that’s who I believe our team is, man.”

Defensive tackle Micah Johnson might’ve been the happiest person in all of Riderville, though. Going head-to-head with Hardrick on game day is far from an easy day at the office.

“We laugh about that still to this day. With how physical the Winnipeg offensive line was and with how crazy we’d be, we were like ‘All right, y’all, we going in here and forget about sacks and everything else: we’re going here to fight.’ It used to be crazy,” said Johnson, a 12-year vet.

“He plays with such an edge, man. A lot of guys are out there talking and chirping, and that’s what it is, but Jermarcus is trying to bury you. When you give him a chance, he’ll finish you and he’s been like that his whole career.

“Having him on your team is everything.”

Last season wasn’t a smooth one for Hardrick. He suffered a season-ending quad injury in July and had to watch his new team fall to his old one in the West Final.

This year, however, the Batesville, Miss., product managed to bounce back in a huge way by becoming the West Division nominee for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman (MOOL) award.

It’s an award he watched his old pal Bryant win four times as a Bomber. On Thursday night at Club Regent Casino for the CFL award show, it might finally be Hardrick’s turn to walk across that stage.

He knows the Bombers will be rooting for him. His family is getting together with Bryant’s this week, and he’s already made time to catch up with Willie Jefferson, Jake Thomas and Zach Collaros.

Hardrick was also the West representative in 2023 but lost out to Toronto’s Dejon Allen for the league honour.

“I always just tried to outwork Stanley every day because I know he was the best,” said Hardrick.

“And just for me to be finally up for another one, it would mean a lot, but the biggest goal is this weekend. But I’m definitely not gonna act like it won’t mean a lot. It’s something I’ve seen Stanley win, and something I wanted to work for in my career.”

Sunday’s Grey Cup is his top priority. It’s a chance add a third career ring (he also won in 2021 with the Bombers) to his collection when the Riders duke it out with the Montreal Alouettes in front of a sold-out crowd at Princess Auto Stadium.

With a win, Hardrick will have to find some space on that arm of his.

“I’ve got room,” he said.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca