Riders’ Bartel isn’t holding tongue on his importance
For the longest time, it seemed that laurels for the Saskatchewan Roughriders holder were, well, on hold.
But finally, after yet another stellar performance by Roughriders placekicker Brett Lauther, an interview with his table-setter — Josh Bartel — was requested on Wednesday.
“Oh, there is a holder, is there?” Bartel said, feigning indignation. “It’s about time I got some love. There’s also a snapper as well. I’m surprised that you actually noticed that.
“We need some love, too. (Lauther) is getting all this love on Twitter, with people making these Titanic film clips that are pretty funny, and me and (snapper Jorgen) Hus sit on the bench and just wait for a chance to get an interview.”
Hus, Bartel and Lauther have been a terrific troika this season. Lauther has hit 39 of 42 field-goal attempts — a 92.9-per-cent accuracy rate — during his first full CFL season.
Most recently, Lauther had a game-winning 56-yard field goal Saturday as the Roughriders edged the host Toronto Argonauts 30-29.
Lauther, who has yet to miss from beyond 40 yards this season, has had two 6-for-6 games and one 5-for-5 performance this season, so the success is hardly novel — unlike the stack of media requests for Bartel’s time and thoughts on Wednesday.
“I thought it was just me, because I’m Australian, but after the first 10 games I was just numb,” confided Bartel, the Roughriders punter. “It doesn’t really bother me. I’ve got no feelings towards it at all, as you can tell by my tone here at the moment. It’s just, whatever ...
“Brett’s having this great success, but I’m slowly dying inside.” What is the remedy?
Does Bartel need a lawyer? A lobbyist? The expertise and influence of a public-relations firm?
“You’d reckon R.P. would be doing something, but I don’t actually know ...,” Bartel said, addressing Roughriders director of media relations and football communications Ryan Pollock, who was standing near the horde of holder-obsessed reporters.
“What do you actually do around here?”
Pollock retorted: “Wait for these interviews to end.”
“Then we can talk and sort something out?” Bartel replied. Silence.
A holder gets snubbed ... yet again.