Darrell Davis, Regina Leader-Post
This column was written before the Saskatchewan Roughriders met the Edmonton Elks for an important CFL game Thursday at Mosaic Stadium.
It was written long before the final result, because this is not just about football.
It’s about cynicism, forgiveness and conscience, written before a pregame ceremony scheduled to include memorial tributes for 22-year-old Bhishma Rajyaguru of Regina and 30-year-old Jayden Dalke, a five-year veteran of the team.
Both men were killed in a two-vehicle collision Saturday night on Highway 11 between Regina and Lumsden.
While grieving and absorbing the horrifying reports presented by Saskatchewan RCMP, who said Dalke was driving the wrong direction on a divided highway in a vehicle that contained alcohol and cannabis, the Roughriders said they would honour him with a video tribute.
They also planned to place Dalke’s initials on the players’ helmets.
While Dalke’s teammates raved about his toughness, dedication to the team and friendly personality, portions of the outside community raged about overlooking the loss of an innocent young man who was evidently driving home from Saskatoon.
On Tuesday the community-owned Roughriders also announced on social media they would include a pregame memorial for Rajyaguru.
The Roughriders evidently contacted friends of Rajyaguru and subsequently wrote a message, which they posted alongside the link for a GoFundMe campaign that is raising money to send his body to his family in India.
Here’s most of the Riders’ social media post:
“In speaking with one of Bhishma’s loved ones, he shared with us that he was a caring friend, a devoted son, a supportive brother, and someone who was always there for the people in his life. A gifted percussionist with a deep love of music, Bhishma’s passion and presence left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
“Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all those mourning his loss. We also hold in our thoughts everyone who is supporting those affected during this incredibly difficult time.
“We will honour Bhishma as part of our pregame ceremony on Thursday evening and are working with his family on the best way we can support them. We will share more information when it is available.”
It’s not just a coincidence that the CFL office and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, after initially sharing online sadness about Dalke’s death, quickly added condolences about the loss of Rajyaguru.
Because of the RCMP report, which also suggested the Rider player stiffed a Lumsden gas station while driving to his nearby trailer at Sherwood Forest from his family’s home in northern Alberta, the narrative in this tragedy has noticeably changed.
It’s no longer “Jayden Dalke was a great teammate.” The overriding, public consensus has instead become, “A drunk Rider killed someone.”
Cynics might believe the Roughriders’ recent statement is about business. Or guilt. Or protecting the team’s brand, which is getting mauled in the court of public opinion.
It may simply mean the Roughriders organization has a conscience.
Any forgiving people who have seen the heartbroken Roughriders deal with this devastating tragedy up close would likely be in the latter group, with an understanding why others may feel differently.
Players and coaches are told, upon joining the Roughriders, they have a responsibility to the team and community. But no business as big as the Roughriders can constantly monitor employees like Dalke, receiver Ajou Ajou, quarterback Jake Dolegala or defensive back Kosi Onyeka.
The team cited its Code of Conduct upon releasing Ajou immediately after a CFL investigation this past off-season found he had aggressively contacted women at a Regina restaurant.
Dolegala was suspended for one 2022 game upon receiving DUI charges, which were eventually dropped before the 2023 season, his last in Saskatchewan.
Onyeka was dumped in September after the Riders said he broke team rules and did not abide by their Code of Conduct.
Dalke certainly would have faced consequences more severe than a team punishment — likely legal charges — if he had survived. Unfortunately he didn’t survive.
Neither did Rajyagura, a 22-year-old percussionist whose promising life should reside in everyone’s conscience.
