Riders’ Jefferson has kin in Texas on his mind
Images from flood-ravaged Texas are still hitting home for Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end Willie Jefferson.
Jefferson grew up Beaumont and moved to Houston as an adult. Those Texas cities have both been hammered by flooding caused by hurricane Harvey.
Jefferson has been in contact with his parents, who live in Beaumont, for updates.
“The city has water, but there just isn’t any running water,’’ Jefferson said Friday. “They have bottled water and it will suffice. They can’t use the restroom without going outside to get a bucket of water and people are showering with bottles of water.’’
Jefferson wishes he could be in Beaumont to assist his family. But
he still has a job to do with the Riders, who are playing host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Sunday’s Labour Day Classic.
“I’m doing this for the team,’’ Jefferson said. “In the back of my mind, I’m always praying the hardest for my city, for my mom and my dad. Come Sunday, I will give it my all as I always do and hope that we come out with a win.’’
Jefferson has posted links on his social media sites where people can donate to assist the victims. NOTES: The Riders debut of returner Chad Owens, who is on the six-game injured list, remains on hold. Owens has battled the effects of a broken foot that he suffered with the Tiger Cats in 2016 and has yet to play this season … On Friday, the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens released linebacker/defensive back Otha Foster, who led the Riders with 71 defensive tackles in 2016. It remains to be seen whether Foster re-signs with the Riders.