Fans of the Saskatchewan Roughriders gathered at Mosaic Stadium on Thursday to honour linebacker Jayden Dalke and Bhishma Rajyaguru, who both died in a recent highway crash. The tribute took place before the game against the Edmonton Elks, a match the Roughriders ultimately lost 36-34.
Video screens at the stadium displayed photos of Rajyaguru with his family and friends, alongside a video of him dancing. A voiceover described Rajyaguru, 22, of Regina, as a gifted percussionist who was always supportive of his loved ones. Following this, a video of Dalke, 30, of Leduc, Alta., showed him interacting with teammates and fans, with a player’s voiceover calling him the team’s “glue.” A helmet bearing the initials ‘JD’ was placed on a table behind the players’ bench.
Pre-game tributes and fan reactions
After the video presentations, fans applauded, and a moment of silence was observed. The atmosphere was described as more sombre than usual at tailgating events outside the stadium. Lynn Kaglea of Pilot Butte, near Regina, expressed her sadness, calling the situation a “terrible tragedy.” She also mentioned being in contact with Dalke’s parents and planning to make them a quilt.
Sandra Poitras of Candle Lake, northeast of Saskatoon, appreciated the team honouring both men. She acknowledged the circumstances of the crash, stating, “We all make mistakes, and you can’t mourn him any less just because he was the one that made the mistake.”
The crash occurred on July 18, when Dalke was reportedly driving on the wrong side of a divided highway at night, colliding with an SUV driven by Rajyaguru. Both men died at the scene on Highway 11 near Lumsden, northwest of Regina. RCMP reported finding alcohol and cannabis in Dalke’s SUV, which had left a gas station without paying for fuel approximately 30 minutes before the incident. Autopsies and toxicology tests are reportedly being conducted, though results are not publicly released due to personal health information.
Team and league statements
The Canadian Football League (CFL) released a statement expressing sadness over Dalke’s passing, remembering him as a passionate competitor with a big heart and a leader in the locker room and community. The statement from Commissioner Stewart Johnston extended condolences to Dalke’s family, friends, and the Roughriders organization.
The Roughriders also issued a statement, mourning the loss of Dalke, a linebacker and team captain. They described him as a “relentless warrior on the field” whose determination and work ethic inspired his teammates. The team highlighted Dalke’s ability to make others feel special and valued, noting he embodied what it means to be a Saskatchewan Roughrider.
Roughriders Quarterback Trevor Harris commented on the team’s effort despite the emotional circumstances, stating, “I hope both families that we honoured are proud and could take some solace in the pre-game tribute to them.” Head coach Corey Mace described the week as emotional, finding it sad to see both victims represented.
Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo acknowledged that his team anticipated the Roughriders would be emotional, stating, “We try to put ourselves in their shoes, the empathy in their shoes as if we lost one of our teammates, just how much you want to rally around each other.”
Online, some fans have engaged in debates regarding the crash’s circumstances. Gerri Sernick, an administrator for the Saskatchewan Roughriders Fan Page on Facebook, reported having to remove negative comments about Dalke. She emphasized that regardless of the circumstances, two young men are not returning home to their families, and that should be the focus.
The Roughriders have shared a GoFundMe page for Rajyaguru’s family, which had raised over $92,000 as of Thursday night to help with the costs of repatriating his body to India. Rajyaguru arrived in Canada in 2022 as an international student from the Indian state of Gujarat.
Source: globalnews.ca
