Saskatchewan·Q&A

A song of ice and fire: Willie Jefferson has fire in his heart, ice in his mouth

Willie Jefferson is only 26, but his football career has been a long and winding journey.

Jefferson signed with the Riders because he wanted to play for Chris Jones

Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Willie Jefferson salutes the crowd after a fourth quarter pick six during the second half of his team's 19-12 win over the Edmonton Eskimos on Monday. (Mark Taylor/Canadian Press)

Willie Jefferson is only 26, but his football career has been a long and winding journey.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders' defensive end admits he's made some mistakes, but he's moved forward to become a leader of the green and white.

Jefferson talks a lot about his family and he's proud of his path that started in his hometown of Beaumont, Texas.

After bouncing back and forth between the NFL and CFL from 2013 to 2016, Jefferson signed with the Riders in September 2016 because he wanted to play for Chris Jones.

For a closer look, Jefferson talked to CBC Radio's The Morning Edition about his journey to Saskatchewan, trading numbers with Kevin Glenn and fun topics in between.

Tell me about your journey to get here...

Man, it's a blessing just to have an opportunity to play football and to just be able to take care of my family and my friends back at home. My journey isn't no different than other people's journey, just sticking to it and just staying humble, just staying focused.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols (15) looks on as Saskatchewan Roughriders' Willie Jefferson (7) runs for the touchdown after intercepting Nichols' pass during first half CFL action in the 15th annual Banjo Bowl in Winnipeg Saturday, September 8, 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)

Do you feel like you've found a home here now?

I feel like I've found a home just because I know certain players on the team and I know coach Jones and I know the coaching staff. It's not just about finding a home because you never want to get comfortable.

What does your family think of Rider Nation?

They love Rider Nation. My mom loves the way the fans interact with me and my girl on social media and stuff like that. She loves the way, like, the team and the organization portrays everybody in a good light and stuff like that. And she just loves me being out here in the community showing myself and showing that she raised a good, wholesome young man.

Willie Jefferson was signed to a contract extension before becoming a free agent on Feb.13. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)

You went to Craven. What was that experience like?

It was fun. It wasn't too different from being home in Texas, like the country music and just people being outside and having a good time. I enjoyed it. It was like going back home.

Did you get a lot of fans coming up to you?

Yeah, a lot of fans out there. Fans coming up to me in public and talking to me while I'm out by myself just having fun on my leisure time, it doesn't really bother me. If you see me out ... you can always come up to me and speak [to me], I'll talk, sign autographs, take a picture and stuff like that. I'm never standoffish.

Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Willie Jefferson states warm on the sidelines during second half CFL West Division semifinal action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Regina on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Taylor)

What's the most common things fans tell you when you meet them?

The most common thing is 'Oh, how tall are you?' Or 'How much do your teeth cost?' 

Like your grills?

Yeah, yeah, yeah ... it's always like little things. It's never like 'Oh, how you doing? They're just like 'Oh wow, are those gold teeth or like how tall are you? Do you play basketball or something?'

You were No. 5 last year and obviously Kevin Glenn has it now. Did you have to swing a deal with Kevin or did you just give it to him?

He's been here, he's wore the jersey. There's people in the stands with his name on a jersey ... at the end of the day, I just want him to be happy. I'm happy with the number I'm wearing. I did swing a deal with him. Like he has to pay for dinner on the away games and stuff like that, so it's cool, man.

Saskatchewan Roughriders' Willie Jefferson (5) reaches for the ball, thrown by Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Trevor Harris (not shown), as teammate Otha Foster III (20) and Redblacks' Tanner Doll (52) look on during second half CFL action on Friday, Oct. 7, 2016 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)

Rapid-fire questions

Are you a Game of Thrones fan?

[Yes] Game of Thrones fan.

Who is your favourite character?

Jon Snow, King of the North.

How do you think it is going to end?

Jon Snow and his people of the North are going to kill the White Walkers and he's going to marry Khaleesi. It's going to happen. They're going to come together and they're going to run the Seven Kingdoms.

Willie Jefferson at the Roughriders 2018 training camp in Saskatoon. (Glenn Reid/CBC)

Tell me about that mask thing you wear. It looks like Bane.

It's just an elevation mask [for] trying to get my breathing right before the game.

Is everything bigger in Texas?

Everything.

Is there anything that is not bigger in Texas?

Probably the Fiats. That's about it.

Who is the best Rider on Twitter?

Either Rob [Bagg] or [Derek] Dennis.

Who is the toughest offensive lineman to go against on the Riders?

Top 3: Derek Dennis, Dan Clark, and [Brendon] LaBatte

Are Fabolous and Gucci Mane still your favourite rappers?

Gucci Mane is still one of my favourite rappers, but 2 Chainz has made his way up the list. Pimp C will forever be the greatest.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

The Roughriders (1-3) take on the Toronto Argonauts (3-2) at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. CST.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peter Mills

Journalist

Peter Mills is an associate producer at CBC Saskatchewan. Do you have a story idea? Email peter.mills@cbc.ca.