ROAD TO THE GREY CUP
Roughrider veterans set the tone
OTTAWA Age is just a number for a number of key Saskatchewan Roughriders players.
Veterans like quarterback Kevin Glenn, cornerback Jovon Johnson, slotback Chad Owens and tailback Marcus Thigpen are among the reasons the Riders are set to face the Toronto Argonauts in Sunday’s East Division final. The winner advances to the Grey Cup game, Nov. 26 in Ottawa.
At 38 and in his 17th CFL season, Glenn is the league’s oldest player. The key to his longevity?
“The biggest thing is making sure that you’re shape in order to withstand the 18-game season and the playoffs,’’ Glenn said.
“You have to be in the physical and mental shape to withstand this kind of season. It’s a long season and it can be draining at times.”
To deal with many aspects of the long season, Glenn has changed his approach to nutrition.
“When I was younger I would go to McDonald’s and eat burgers and fries,” Glenn said.
“Now you have to pay attention to (your diet) because I can’t eat that kind of stuff, then go on the field and play at a high level and put my team in a position to be successful.”
At 35, Owens is the second-oldest Rider on the active roster. He missed most of the 2017 regular season while dealing with a lingering foot injury he suffered in 2016 with the Hamilton TigerCats.
After Owens was activated for the final three games of the regular season, he played with the enthusiasm of a player 10 years younger.
Being able to play with that passion is tied into how Owens works out.
“It’s a professional approach to everything that we do,” Owens said. “It’s not that young guys don’t have that approach. If you want to start talking about age, it’s a credit to us as veterans to have the wantto in the off-season to put in the work, eat right, and make the sacrifices. There aren’t any secrets to success or doing this as long as you want to do it.”
The CFL has many examples of players enjoying long careers that stretch well into their 30s and beyond.
“I look at guys like (former B.C. Lions receiver) Geroy Simon, who did this for as long as he did at a high level,’’ Owens said.
“(Former Alouettes quarterback) Anthony Calvillo did it a high level and so did (former Lions QB) Damon Allen. It’s no secret. If you put in the work and commit yourself to it, you can go as long as you want to.’’
For Owens, that also entails working differently than he did in his early days in the CFL.
“Technology has changed and there are way more things for us to utilize in training,’’ Owens said. “My nutrition has always been on point. It’s about working smarter and making sure you’re doing the right things.”
The Riders reaped the benefits from their thirtysomethings in Sunday’s 31-20 win over the Ottawa Redblacks in the East semifinal.
Glenn threw for 252 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another major.
Johnson, 34, had one of the Riders’ two interceptions.
Thigpen, 31, carried the ball 15 times for 169 yards including a 75yard touchdown run in the third quarter in his second CFL start as a running back.
Owens had one carry for 19 yards and a key 16-yard reception in the fourth quarter.