Fantuz denies turning down big money offer from Riders

Andy Fantuz takes to youtube to address free agency rumours
Reported by Jamie Nye
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Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Andy Fantuz used a two-minute youtube video to downplay the rumours surrounding his pending free agency.

Fantuz thanked fans for their interest but wanted to address the story circulating that he turned down an offer by the Riders that would have made him the highest paid receiver in the Canadian Football League.

"Lots of different rumours coming out of Saskatchewan," said Fantuz from his family home in Ontario.

"I just want to clear it up. None of those rumours are true. I haven't turned down any crazy offers or asked to be paid this much or that much."

Fantuz becomes a free agent on February 15th and it appears he'll wait before deciding on whether or not he returns to Saskatchewan.

"Right now I'm just taking time to go through the Christmas break with my family and just hang out and kind of let things sort themselves out."

"I want to see what's going on with all the coaches and make sure that's all settled first."

The entire league's coaching staffs are in transition. Saskatchewan, B.C., Hamilton and Toronto will have new head coaches in 2012 and the other eight teams will see changes to their assistants as well.

Fantuz tells fans to be patient.

"Any time you're re-signing, it's a process. Don't look too far into it. My agent and the front office are talking and they're working things out."

"I'm not really thinking about it too much."

Fantuz has created a lot of buzz over the last 12 months. He left the Riders for an attempt to make the Chicago Bears, using the option window in his contract. He was later released in August and made a return to the Roughriders in early September.

He ended up suffered a high ankle sprain in just his second game back and missed much of the last half of the season.

The 2010 Most Outstanding Canadian in the CFL changed agents during Grey Cup week just three weeks ago.