Weston Dressler: 'I was never in the Roughrider plans' for 2016

In a farewell message to fans and the Roughriders organization, former Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Weston Dressler expressed gratitude for support from the team's fans, but claimed the football club didn't try hard enough to keep him on the roster for the 2016 season.

• Saskatchewan Roughriders release John Chick, Weston Dressler

"I am upset and saddened by the fact that there wasn't more effort put in by the organization to allow me to remain a Saskatchewan Roughrider," he said in a typed message that he posted publicly on twitter.

The negotiations that took place, or lack thereof, led me to believe I was never in the Roughrider plans for the 2016 season and beyond.- Weston Dressler

"Through my last eight years with this organizations [sic] I believe my actions and words have always expressed my desire and joy to be a part of Riderville. The negotiations that took place, or lack thereof, led me to believe I was never in the Roughrider plans for the 2016 season and beyond," he said. 

Despite what he described as a lack of effort on the part of the club, Dressler did say he thinks new head coach and general manager Chris Jones will be successful in his new role. Dressler also said he understands the tough decisions coaches have to make, and he has no hard feelings about being released.

As for support he received the team's sizable community of fans, he said "Thank you Riderville for everything you have given back to me as a football player and as a person."

He also thanked his former teammates and coaches: "Thank you to all the people I have worked with and played with over the past eight years."