Riders who face charges speak for first time

A pair of Saskatchewan Roughriders is speaking publicly for the first time after being charged with aggravated assault in September.

Dwight Anderson and Taj Smith spoke exclusively to CJME’s The Green Zone Wednesday. Although they couldn’t comment on the circumstances of the charges, they said they’ve received nothing but support from other players in the locker room.

“Since I’ve been here, from day one when I signed, the support’s been there. So that was never something I was worried about,” said Anderson. “It ended that day. My teammates and coaches called me so I was never worried.”

It’s just good to have people like that on the team,” said Smith. “At the end of the day, I felt like once I went back into the locker room, they just looked at it like it was another day.”

Smith, Anderson and Eron Riley are all facing charges of aggravated assault after an incident that occurred on the Dewdney Strip. Police responded to reports of a fight taking place outside a bar on Aug. 18th, and found 20-year-old Jonathon Mukendi with serious injuries. After a three-week investigation, the three players were arrested.

The three have been allowed to play since then. But with all this going on off the field, Anderson said overcoming adversity is something he’s done before.

“Being a pro is doing what you’re supposed to do,” he said. “That’s pretty much it; come out here and execute the game plan your coaches have up there for you to do.”

The three were supposed to be in Court on Tuesday. Their case was adjourned until October 30th.