Roughriders Prepare for Life Without Andy Fantuz

Andy Fantuz - Photo by Bob Heath

While Andy Fantuz waits in limbo for the NFL to settle their lockout dispute, his former team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL, aren’t waiting around in hopes that Fantuz may be available to them.

The Roughriders signed two import receivers this week to help minimize the impact of losing Fantuz after he signed an NFL contract with the Chicago Bears. Saskatchewan signed receivers Efrem Hill and Ernie Wheelwright, both of whom had brief stints in the National Football League to shore up the hole left by Fantuz’ departure.

Fantuz, a Chatham native and John McGregor Secondary School graduate, led the CFL in receiving yards last year and was named the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian. Fantuz tried out for multiple NFL teams before finally signing a deal with the Chicago Bears in hopes of achieving his dream of playing in the NFL.

Currently, Wallaceburg’s Shaun Suisham is the only veteran NFL player from Chatham-Kent.

It is likely the Roughriders are reserving a spot for Fantuz to return should he get cut from the Bears, or the lockout spans beyond a reasonable date; however, now that return would be at the expense of one of their recently signed import receivers.