Riders’ CEO faces tough questions on team at forum

Reynolds on hot seat over past incidents of domestic violence involving players

REGINA A Q & A involving the Saskatchewan Roughriders CEO and attendees of the Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan leadership forum got heated as the team’s history with sexual assault and domestic violence was put in the spotlight.

“Would it surprise you to learn that there are women getting treatment in various cities for assault by a Roughrider?” asked a woman at the forum at the Ramada Hotel on Wednesday morning.

It was unclear whether the woman was posing a hypothetical question, or if she was referring to specific incidents.

“No, it wouldn’t surprise me at all,” replied Roughriders CEO and president Craig Reynolds. “Unfortunately, we’re not immune to this issue.”

Reynolds didn’t name names, but acknowledged that the issue of violence against women in Saskatchewan has made its way into the organization, citing “issues in the past” that were dealt with “swiftly.”

In December 2018, 25-year-old former Rider Justin Cox was handed a nine-month jail term after an assault conviction pertaining to a 2017 incident involving Cox’s then-partner.

The Riders released Cox, and he was barred from playing anywhere in the CFL.

In July 2018, the Riders also released Canadian running back Jerome Messam after a voyeurism charge. He was also barred from the CFL.

“Despite the work we do around training … we have folks, I’m sure, that come from violent backgrounds where they haven’t had the type of education or opportunities that others have had,” Reynolds said.

The woman who asked the question was not satisfied.

“I’m seeing you sit at a leadership forum on sexual assault and you said it wouldn’t surprise you, and that is incredibly disappointing to me … I don’t feel an emergent sense of ‘We have to f---ing stop this’ from you. Where is that?” she said to a round of applause.

Reynolds was adamant that the organization, and he personally, take the issue of violence against women seriously.

“Do we condone it? Absolutely not,” he said. “It’s appalling.”

The panel, which was made up entirely of men, was part of the Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan’s first Leadership Forum. The panel included Reynolds, Scott Mchenry of the Canadian Red Cross — and also a former Roughrider — and current longsnapper for the Riders, Jorgen Hus. It was moderated by Norm Jacobski, also with the Red Cross.

The trio was there to talk about the Riders’ partnership with the Canadian Red Cross’s Respected program, which provides training to adults and youth to present to schools throughout the province on topics like bullying, healthy relationships, body autonomy and consent.

Roughriders past, like Mchenry, and present, like Hus and others, have presented to more than 30,000 students at more than 68 schools across Saskatchewan.

“Sexual assault and sexual violence is a societal issue and I think the Riders, as leaders and pillars of our community, have a responsibility to do what we can with the platform we’ve been given to work toward prevention,” said Reynolds.

Mchenry, who has worked full time with the Canadian Red Cross for the past four years, said it’s not enough to simply not affirm sexist attitudes or inappropriate and violent behaviour towards women, there is a need to actively challenge them.

Several attendees commended the group members for the work they are doing, acknowledging the power they have as role models and public figures in the province. Others challenged them to do more.

The forum was created to share sexual-violence education, awareness and prevention resources to service providers and community members in the province.

It goes into its second and final day Thursday.