'I let Rider Nation down': Riders' Garrett Marino returns to practice after 4 week suspension
Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive tackle Garrett Marino made his return to practice Tuesday after serving his four game suspension from the Canadian Football League (CFL).
The league handed Marino its longest suspension in history after a low hit and his actions following on Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli in week 5.
“I feel bad I let Ridernation down, my teammates down. Not being out there with the team it was kind of depressing,” said Marino.
“The league went so strong on him, we felt like it was overkill at that point,” said head coach Craig Dickenson, when asked what the team did internally for a punishment.
“We had some internal discussions and there was some internal discipline but that will stay in house.”
Masoli underwent surgery in July for what is said to be a bone injury. The quarterback could return to the team for the end of the 2022 season.
“I feel horrible that Jeremiah got hurt and I just want to move on. I didn’t even know he was hurt,” said Marino.
Marino returned to practice at Mosaic Stadium on Tuesday and his teammates were there to support him. With players even standing behind him in solidarity as the media addressed him for the first time since the suspension.
“Most people will say ‘teammate’, or ‘they’re a great teammate’, ‘they have great sportsmanship’, but in our house it’s family. We support family no matter what others feel about it. Right or wrong. We’re still going to support them regardless,” said fellow defensive tackle Anthony Lanier.
“He’s fairly popular in the locker room and I think guys are pulling for him,” said Dickenson.
The team was adamant on moving on from the suspension and focusing on this week’s matchup against the BC Lions. However, Coach Dickenson knows players around the league will not forget about Marino’s actions.
“I think guys will test him because they know he doesn’t have as many chances as per se a new guy would, so he’s going to be put under the gun and put to the test,” said Dickenson. “I think he’ll be able to manage himself but he will definitely get some attention from other players out there.”
Dickenson said he is not sure if Marino will start on Friday but the defensive line will see the return of two impact players in A.C. Leonard and Pete Robertson.
Receiver Shaq Evans was also out at practice on Tuesday taking some limited reps also expected to return at receiver in the next two weeks is Kyran Moore.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.