A SPIRITED PRESENCE
Carter likes to have fun on, off field
OTTAWA Some of Duron Carter’s film study won’t include footage of the Toronto Argonauts.
The personable Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver/defensive back wants to play host to a movie night with the CFL team’s fans in Toronto on Saturday, in advance of Sunday’s East Division final against the Argonauts at BMO Field.
He’s not sure which theatre will be the site, but does have a specific movie in mind.
“I want to see Justice League with all of my people,’’ Carter said after Thursday’s closed practice at Carleton University.
It could be a large group considering Carter’s popularity among Riders fans and players since he signed with the CFL team as a free agent in January.
On the field, Carter leads the Riders in receiving yards (1,043), is tied for second with Naaman Roosevelt in touchdown receptions (eight), and is third in catches (73).
Away from the gridiron, Carter is among the team’s busiest players on social media. The 26-year-old Floridian is active in community appearances and recently organized a bowling night for the team’s receivers.
“Being with Duron Carter is a lot of fun,’’ Riders receiver Rob Bagg said. “He’s no different from a lot of my other friends in that he’s different from me in many ways and we also have a lot of similarities. With those common grounds, we’ve been able to develop a nice friendship.
“I haven’t anything bad to say about him and he has certainly exceeded my expectations.’’
Carter brought some baggage with him to the Riders after twoplus seasons with the Montreal Alouettes. He was perceived to be a disruption in the locker-room, was suspended for a game after bumping into Ottawa Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell, and was released by the Alouettes in October 2016.
Other than a skirmish at practice with backup defensive back Sam Williams, Carter has been an exemplary player this season.
“His film speaks for himself, so I was very impressed with him as a player,’’ Bagg said. “I try to stay open-minded about everyone that I come across. I’m glad that I did that because once I got to know D.C., I instantly saw that he is different on camera than he is behind the camera. Getting to know the guy behind the camera has been tremendous and I’ve enjoyed playing with him.’’
Carter’s on-camera exploits have been the subject of numerous CFL highlight packages.
He made one of his most impressive receptions in the Riders’ 38-27 win over the visiting Argonauts on July 29, executing a twisting, onehanded, backhanded touchdown catch.
He has also filled in on defence when the Riders encountered injuries in the defensive backfield. He started at cornerback in Calgary on Oct. 20 and returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown in a 30-7 Riders victory that snapped the Stampeders’ 17-game home unbeaten streak.
Carter laughed when asked about for which he is best known — the touchdown catch versus Toronto or the pick-six against the Stampeders.
“I’m probably more notorious for bumping the coach,’’ Carter said. “It’s all fun because I love the attention. Eventually no one is going to be talking about me and they aren’t going to believe that I even played football.’’
Carter is someone people are talking about in advance of Sunday’s game due to his West Division all-star season and his performance versus the Argonauts. He has a combined 14 receptions for 212 yards and two touchdowns in the Riders’ two wins over Toronto.
“They should always be concerned about Duron Carter,’’ he said. “We’re just going through our game plan and we have a lot of great receivers. There is a lot to cover when we’re on the field.’’
The Riders haven’t ruled out Carter seeing time at cornerback on Sunday, if needed.
“He’s a very spirited guy and he has a lot of energy,’’ Roughriders head coach and general manager Chris Jones said, “so there is no better guy to have that can do both than Duron.’’
It’s all fun because I love the attention. Eventually no one is going to be talking about me and they aren’t going to believe that I even played football.