REGINA -- Ajou Ajou is officially back home with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The Brooks, Alta. native returned to a football field on Canadian soil for the first time on Friday since being released by the National Football League’s Indianapolis Colts, it was nothing but smiles and positivity combined with excitement for what’s to come. Ajou isn’t likely to see action in the Labour Day Classic on Sunday, but being back in Regina and getting ready to resume his CFL career was already a reward in itself.
“It's a great day to be alive, man,” Ajou said after going through some reps at practice on Friday. “It's bittersweet, but I'm coming home to some fans and some people who love me -- I'm all for it, I'm happy.”
The 23-year-old pass catcher broke into the league in style last season, catching 20 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns, including a single-game high of 110 yards against Winnipeg on July 20. That -- combined with his six-foot-three, 218-pound frame -- drew interest from the NFL as he’d sign a futures deal with Indianapolis in January.
That led to training camp and NFL preseason action in August, Ajou made four catches for 27 yards and then was released. While that was the bittersweet moment described above, for eight months, Ajou was officially one of the best football players on the planet.
“Dream come true,” Ajou said. “You can go on Google and search how many people make it to the NFL, 0.1 percent -- I got to be part of that 0.1 percent for OTAs, rookie mini-camp, training camp. I look at it as a blessing in disguise, I learned a lot.”
Ajou hoped to crack the Colts practice roster at the very least, but eventually, the bad news came. He took it all in stride, though, and promptly began thinking about his football future -- and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“It was difficult hearing it, but I knew I grew as a person when I took it on the chin. How can I get better? What's next?” Ajou said. “You get knocked down one step back, but I'm trying to take three steps forward. End of the day, I'm a Rider.”
Asked what it is about Saskatchewan that made him want to come back, Ajou was quick to respond “home is where the heart is” and added the people in the organization were a major part of his decision.
“It's the first team that took a chance on me,” Ajou said. “I feel like I owe this organization and this province so much.”
Ajou kept an eye on the Roughriders from afar and is more than aware of how well things have been going, but even he was surprised with the growth in some of his once-again teammates since he last saw them.
“I've been keeping tabs on them, but coming back seeing how much they've grown, how much KeeSean [Johnson] stepped up in the room and is finally being vocal, it's great to see,” Ajou said. “My boy Dhel [Duncan-Busby] telling me: ‘You got to be here on this play and do this on this play.’ I'm like OK Dhel, you know your stuff. It's nice to see him making plays out here… It's nothing new, it's routine for us, it's been great.”
Ajou hopes breaking back into the Riders line-up will be a smooth process, especially with how he’s evolved as a player since last season.
“I'm healthy this season and it's a mental aspect,” he said. “The way I approach the game now, it's completely different. My routine, the way I go about watching film, it's different now. The way I apply myself and trying to stay humble through it all.”
As such a young player, Ajou could get another look at the NFL if things go as well as both he and the Roughriders hope in the future. Until then, though, it’s all systems go in Saskatchewan.
“I'm 23 years old, I'm trying to do what I can, but I got to be great where my feet are. Right now, I'm a Rider,” he said. “I play for the Roughriders. I'm trying to be great for the organization and let's keep stacking wins.”
The sold-out Labour Day Classic against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is set for Sunday with Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates bringing you the pre-game show at 2 p.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the call at 5 p.m. and you can catch all the action on the Riders Broadcast Network.
