CFL legend Charleston Hughes was surprised by the support from fans who suggested he should be on the CFL on TSN panel.
“I’m a big personality guy and I have a huge following in the league,” Hughes said on The SportsCage. “The thing is, if it comes to players, I’m probably the most connected player in the league knowing certain players, knowing their capabilities, knowing how good they are, having good relationships. I’ve always been a team player-type guy. Every player that’s played with me knows what they’re going to get from me on the field. I made it my personal thing to try to connect with every player on a team.”
During Hughes’ career, he played 14 years in the CFL split between three teams. The first 10 years were with the Calgary Stampeders from 2008-2017. Then he went to the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 2018-2020. He spent a year with the Toronto Argonauts in 2021 before returning to the Riders for a second time in 2022.
Hughes joked that his contract would have to contain some conditions if he joined the CFL on TSN panel and compared his fashion sense with Milt Stegall’s.
“It has to be in the contract where I have to be the best-dressed guy on the panel at all times,” Hughes said with a laugh. “I’m definitely younger and I definitely have more swag than Milt.”
Hughes did not hesitate when picking the 102nd Grey Cup as one of his favourite moments in his career.
“It was a game when I was with the Calgary Stampeders and we were playing against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. We were in BC Place and Brandon Banks ran back that return for a touchdown to win the game. They got called for an illegal block to reverse that touchdown. Then we ended up winning the game because of that penalty,” Hughes said.
“I like dramatic endings like that. I like wins like that, especially because they are meant to happen and were meant to be that way. All you can do is accept it.”
The Stamps defeated the Ticats 20-16, which marked Hughes’ second Grey Cup title in his career. The first one came in 2008, when Calgary beat the Montreal Alouettes 22-14. He was suffering from a high sprain in his right ankle which is why he did not participate in that Grey Cup.
“Seeing it from the sidelines, I was in tears and you feel like you should have been a part of the game and felt like I would have been the X-factor in that game,” the former star pass rusher recalled.
Hughes also picked out another moment as a fond memory when he was with the Stampeders in 2009, which had to do with the Green and White.
“The Riders in the 13th man Grey Cup,” Hughes said. “I know it’s a sore spot, but like I said, I like dramatic endings because it’s entertaining.”
The 97th Grey Cup happened in Calgary, the Riders lost to the Montreal Alouettes 28-27 in November 2009. Due to Saskatchewan having an extra man on the field at the end of the game, Als’ kicker Damon Duval had a chance to re-kick a field goal and win the game.
“I was watching it live at the game,” Hughes explained. “When something like this happens, they line up for a field goal, and you think: ‘Oh, the game’s over, that’s the end of it.’ And then boom, a flag goes up, nobody sees the flag, and everybody’s celebrating. You’re celebrating for what? No reason at all.”
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