Evans thrilled with four-year deal
Regina-born defensive tackle won two Grey Cups and hopes to win a few more
With a booming “who’s excited?!” and a double heel-click, Zack Evans entered the media room at Mosaic Stadium on Tuesday morning.
The Regina-born defensive tackle could not wait to meet with reporters and discuss his four-year contract extension with the Saskatchewan Roughriders — a deal that took CFL free agency off the table.
“I’m ecstatic,” Evans said. “It’s a great day to be a Rider.”
It had been difficult for Evans to keep the news under wraps in the days leading up to the announcement. So once it was made, he spoke effusively about the contract and the likelihood of finishing his professional football career in his home province.
“I just sat down and said, ‘Hey, I want to be here,’” Evans said. “They want me to be here. They want me to retire a Rider, so I’m here forever if they want me.”
The Roughriders’ interest in Evans was evident last February, when he signed a one-year deal with Saskatchewan after spending the previous four seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks.
Ottawa selected Evans in the CFL’S expansion draft, held shortly after Saskatchewan won the 2013 Grey Cup. Evans was a second-year pro when he helped the Roughriders capture a championship on Taylor Field.
He subsequently appeared in two more Grey Cup games — in 2015 and 2016 — with the Redblacks, winning it all in the latter year.
“I think in four years, we can get a couple of more (Grey Cups),” Evans said.
“That’s the plan every year but, obviously, going forward and knowing what kind of talent we have, it’s phenomenal that we have this opportunity.”
Growing up in the Queen City, Evans dreamt of having the kind of opportunity he is now enjoying.
His favourite player was Roughriders legend Roger Aldag, the pride of Gull Lake, due to “how many years he put in and how passionate he was.”
Now, all these years later, Evans is another homegrown success story. He starred for the Regina Intercollegiate Football League’s O’neill Titans and the PFC’S Regina Thunder en route to entering the CFL as a territorial junior in 2012.
Since then, Evans has registered 102 defensive tackles, 23 sacks, five fumble recoveries — including four last season — and one interception in 104 CFL regular-season games.
In 18 regular-season contests with the 2018 Roughriders, Evans had 15 defensive tackles and one sack to go with a fumble-return touchdown.
Along the way, he appreciated the opportunity to once again play football in Saskatchewan.
“Stepping on this field and hearing Rihanna sing her song and stuff is everything to me,” Evans said. “I grew up loving it. I grew up being a Rider fan and wanting to be a Rider. I get that opportunity to do that now so I’m very happy.
“Being home is everything. I have my friends here. I have my family here. Saskatchewan is dear to my heart. I grew up here. It’s just a wonderful opportunity to be back with the Riders and I’m glad for four more years.”
Evans understands that anything can happen over those four years. A CFL player operates on a year-to-year basis, considering that contracts are not guaranteed.
“Obviously, you never know with the CFL,” Evans said.
“It’s insane. It’s crazy. But (it’s exciting) to just have that number four on your contract and know that no matter what, this is what it’s going to be unless something crazy happens.
“It’s good for the heart just to know that I’m going to stay here. I’m going to put my roots down. I’m going to live here. There’s no more moving back and forth. None of that. So I’m very happy.”
The re-signing of Evans leaves the Roughriders with 23 pending free agents.
Most prominent among them are defensive ends Willie Jefferson and Tobi Antigha, defensive tackles Mic’hael Brooks, Makana Henry and Eddie Steele, linebackers Sam Eguavoen and Sam Hurl, defensive backs Mike Edem and Loucheiz Purifoy, receivers Naaman Roosevelt, Caleb Holley and Rob Bagg, running back Cameron Marshall, quarterbacks Zach Collaros and Brandon Bridge, and offensive lineman Josiah St. John.
On Monday, the Roughriders announced the signing of receiver Patrick Lavoie to a two-year contract extension. He had been eligible to test free agency.