When the Saskatchewan Roughriders pull the curtains on the 2022 season on Saturday in Calgary, it would have been a cinematic ending if defensive end Charleston Hughes decided to play his final game against the team he spent his first ten years in the CFL with, but don’t expect Hughes to take a final bow tomorrow when the year comes to a close.
The 38 year old will draw back into the Saskatchewan Roughriders lineup when they face the Stampeders. His last action for the green and white was back on September 30, against the Blue Bombers in Winnipeg.
He believes that he can contribute somewhere next season.
“I felt like I was great when I was on the field, I got the stat line to prove it, if you looked at the amount of plays I played this year compared to the amount of plays I made on the field, man, I still, got it.”
In 2022, Hughes has picked up four sacks while appearing in eleven games with the Roughriders.
The defensive end also believed that if he spent more time on the field this season, that he would leading the league in sacks.
Even though Hughes thinks he could have made more of an impact on the field in 2022, he said that he respected the coaching staff’s choices throughout the year.
“It’s the best decision for the team, you can’t argue with that, you know the coaches got to make their judgement in their call in what’s best for the team and what’s the best decision to get into the game.”
After a difficult stint with the Toronto Argonauts in 2021, the defensive end says that he has adapted a more positive outlook on the gridiron.
“I’ve learned to embrace whatever chances I get and whatever moments I get on the field, and make the best out of it.”
Head coach Craig Dickenson noted that the veteran contains an uplifting attitude when he shows up to the locker room.
“He’s a pro, there’s a reason that he’s played this many games, he’s got a great attitude, works hard, comes to practice everyday ready to go.”
Hughes is currently fifth on the all time list for sacks in the CFL with 136. James Parker who spent time with BC, Edmonton and Toronto during his playing days, is fourth at 139.5, with former Rider legend, Bobby Jurasin sitting in third spot with 142 sacks.
Former Alouette and Baltimore Stallion,Elfrid Payton is second with 154 sacks and former Tiger-Cat, Grover Covington is the all time sack leader in the CFL with 157.
Saturday’s season finale can be heard on 620 CKRM with Countdown to Kickoff at 3:00, the opening kickoff at 6:00.
