Riders' Most Outstanding Player to stay in Saskatchewan

One day after being voted the Saskatchewan Roughriders' most outstanding player for the 2016 CFL season, Naaman Roosevelt has signed a contract extension to remain with the club through the 2018 season.

The surprise announcement also comes less than a day since media was informed talks between the Riders and Roosevelt were in the early stages and getting Darian Durant re-signed would be a priority.

But Roosevelt's top priority was staying in Saskatchewan.

"We've been talking, we had a good discussion today. I just wanted to get the deal done and get it out of the way and go into training knowing I would be back." said Roosevelt five minutes after the negotiations concluded on Thursday afternoon.

"It's exciting, I wanted to be back and I'm glad they gave me the opportunity to come back. I just want to make plays for this team and get us on the winning track." 

Credited with having one of the best set of hands in the CFL, Roosevelt has been described as a human highlight reel during his two seasons with the Riders, often making circus style catches.

Roosevelt however has been sidelined since the halfway point of the season with a knee injury. 

Despite playing in only 11 games this year, he still managed more than 1,000 yards and he was on pace to break the Riders' single season record.

"He's one of the league leaders and missed a big portion of the year, he's a guy when he's targeted he catches the football, he blocks he's physical." said Riders head coach and general manager Chris Jones.

"You never know he's in the room but you certainly do when the game's played."

Roosevelt originally joined the Riders as a free agent in March, 2015 after spending parts of five seasons in the NFL. 

Through his first two CFL seasons, the 28-year-old Buffalo native has played 21 games registering 101 receptions for 1,583 yards and seven touchdowns.