'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
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.