Riders earn passing grade in first ever player report card from CFLPA

A Saskatchewan Roughriders helmet can be seen before preseason CFL football action in Regina, Monday, May 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

The Saskatchewan Roughriders earned passing grades in all categories but one in the CFL Players’ Association first player report card.

According to the CFLPA, the Riders scored an ‘A’ in football operations, an ‘A-’ in management and administration, and ‘B’s in training and medical staff, equipment, family treatment, team travel and training camp.

The only mark below par in Riderville: a ‘D+’ in nutrition and diet. The mark did still put the Riders above grades in the same category from B.C., Calgary and Edmonton.

In addition to the straight grades, the report card also includes a set of responses from anonymous players most teams, who were asked to present their "general comments."

For the Riders, two comments were highlighted.

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"We need more athletic trainers, always rushed for treatment and pre-practice taping,” the first said.

“The nutrition and food options are pretty poor, especially at breakfast. Hearing other teams like Toronto has way better quality, and options. Our medical team also makes it tough to book in to see them, as there are time slots and then they stop their day at a certain time and are not available after that,” the second said.

The CFLPA released the findings Tuesday based on responses to an online survey from 495 players on each of the CFL’s nine teams, collected in October.

The organization said the goal of the report cards is highlighting teams setting positive examples, identify areas of improvement and showcase best practices and workplace standards across the league.

The CFLPA plans for the report cards to become an annual initiative.