Latest news with #SaskatchewanRoughriders
CTV News
8 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Roughriders' return specialist, Mario Alford, expected to miss Week 7 matchup versus Lions
WATCH: Kick returner Mario Alford will not play this week. As Donovan Maess explains, it opens for a Rider rookie who made a statement in the pre-season. The Saskatchewan Roughriders are likely to be without another weapon against B.C. as the team's list of injuries continues to pile up. Star return man Mario Alford went down with a hip injury in the first quarter of last week's game against the Calgary Stampeders. He left the game and did not return. Alford has now missed both of the Riders' practices this week. 'He went and got some final imaging [Tuesday], so we're just waiting on the results,' head coach Corey Mace told reporters Wednesday. 'Probably going to be tough for him to go this week.' 'Drae [McCray's] waiting in the wings and we'll give him an opportunity to show who he is,' he added. McCray, a first-year receiver out of Texas Tech, is expected to be the Riders' replacement returning kicks. It would be his first regular season appearance for Saskatchewan. 'I'm excited. I'm thankful to the people helping bring me along,' he said. 'I'm excited for an opportunity if it comes.' The rookie has been on the practice squad to this point during the season, but he did make a good impression during the preseason. In two exhibition games, McCray totaled 240 return yards, including a big 51-yard kickoff return against Winnipeg. 'We all have confidence [McCray's] ready to be able to go out there and execute and make plays,' Mace said. 'And he showed to be really dangerous.' Drae McCray Texas Tech wide receiver Drae McCray (10) carries the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak) (Young Kwak/AP) McCray admitted transitioning to the Canadian football game has been a challenge. However, he added he has had some pretty good players to help him along. Particularly Alford, who won the CFL 2022 Special Teams Player of the Year. 'He's just helping me wherever I need, if he has a tip or something or if I have a question,' McCray said. 'Sometimes we bounce ideas off each other just to help each other get better. He's been a really big help and a good mentor for me.' 'I'm just using this time to learn. I have one of the greatest returners in this CFL right next to me. So if I don't use it to learn, I'm not a very smart person on that aspect of,' he added. While Mace reiterated his confidence in McCray, losing Alford is still a big hit to the return game. 'That's Super Mario, man. It's a tough one to lose,' the coach said. 'Certainly, he's been playing out of his mind, I've thought, to this point in the season, that's just that sucks. But ultimately sucks for him.' Saskatchewan will face off against the B.C. Lions on Saturday, July 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. at BC Place.
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
Contingency plans unclear for 2026 World Cup wildfire smoke risks
Published Jul 16, 2025 • 4 minute read A game was delayed due to poor air quality at Mosaic Stadium between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Calgary Stampeders. The Canadian Press Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. While some organizations have published clear air quality thresholds or contingency protocols for wildfire smoke, FIFA's plans remain unclear less than a year out from the 2026 World Cup. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account A day after Toronto's air quality was among the worst in the world, the organizing committee for the World Cup in Canada declined to reveal guidelines for postponement or air-quality-related contingencies with FIFA. No policies are posted publicly. The World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Canada will stage 13 games _ seven in Vancouver and six in Toronto. The Air Quality Health Index rating for Toronto was over 10, or 'very high risk,' on Monday morning, dropping to a 'high risk' rating of 8 by late afternoon. In the CFL, meanwhile, games can't be played when the AQHI surpasses a threshold of seven, according to an agreement with the players. CFL stadiums are also equipped with air-quality sensors to provide real-time readings. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The CFL postponed the Saskatchewan Roughriders-Calgary Stampeders game in Regina from Friday night to Saturday afternoon this past weekend due to air quality issues, as wildfires from northern Saskatchewan pushed the AQHI above 10. Many minor soccer associations in Canada also recommend delaying or rescheduling games if the AQHI is 7 or higher. Dr. Howard Shapiro, Toronto's associate medical officer of health, said in a statement that Toronto Public Health is actively reviewing the latest evidence and best practices for air-quality issues as the city prepares to host the World Cup. 'TPH may provide guidance and recommendations on public health risks, including environmental health concerns such as extreme weather and wildfire smoke,' the statement read. 'This includes contingency planning to support the health and safety of residents, visitors, and participants during the tournament.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Canada recorded its most destructive wildfire season in 2023, with more than 6,000 fires burning 15 million hectares of land, according to Natural Resources Canada. This year's fire season, according to government data, is the second-largest on record. Dr. Andrew Halayko, a professor of physiology and pathophysiology at the University of Manitoba, calls an AQHI above 10 a 'no-brainer' for postponing sporting events. Halayko also believes outdoor activities on days when the AQHI rises higher than 7 should be rescheduled due to health concerns, even if it's just cheering on your favourite team from the stands. Environment Canada says that wildfire smoke is more likely to affect individuals who are 65 or older, pregnant, young children, and those with existing health conditions or work outdoors. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'In the interest of general safety, you defer to the most vulnerable,' Halayko said. 'And in that case, anything above 7 or higher should be rescheduled because, I know people are autonomous and should be able to make their own health choices, but sometimes you have to help and provide guidance.' Other experts say it's difficult to pinpoint exactly when the air quality reaches a threshold where sporting events should be cancelled. 'I personally think that we can't, based on good evidence, have general statements about what AQHI is unacceptable for a given event. Everything is contextual,' said Dr. Christopher Carlsten, the head of the respiratory medicine division at the University of British Columbia. Carlsten explained that context includes the age of the general audience and the forecast of the air quality, and said that events should be judged on a case-by-case basis. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Greg J. Evans, a chemical engineering professor at the University of Toronto, said people need to make their own decisions based on whether they're at risk. 'If I had tickets to the World Cup match and it was yesterday, I would have gone,' said Evans, whose research specializes in air pollution. 'However, if I were a more vulnerable individual, I might decide not to go. 'To cancel the game for everybody, I think that's a very difficult decision to make.' Evans added that not enough is known about the health impacts of single exposures, such as a few hours at a sporting event, and that more concern is warranted for repetitive and long-term exposures. Halayko argued that wildfire smoke disrupting sporting events will only increase in the future due to climate change. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The effects on our environment that we are experiencing today that are worse than they were 10 years ago and will probably be worse in 10 years from now, we're not talking about one-off events,' he said. 'It's a cumulative thing.' The impact of poor air quality on athletes is also a subject of debate. Some schools of thought believe athletes can better handle poor air conditions because they are generally young and healthy, making them less likely to sustain long-term health impacts. However, Michael Brauer, a professor at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine, said that studies show that even low levels of pollution impact cognitive ability — which not only affects performance but also increases the risk of injuries. 'Imagine two players going up for a pass at really high speeds, and if you make one tiny error, that could be a career-threatening injury,' he said. Crime Entertainment World Canada NFL
Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Contingency plans unclear for 2026 World Cup wildfire smoke risks
Article content While some organizations have published clear air quality thresholds or contingency protocols for wildfire smoke, FIFA's plans remain unclear less than a year out from the 2026 World Cup. Article content A day after Toronto's air quality was among the worst in the world, the organizing committee for the World Cup in Canada declined to reveal guidelines for postponement or air-quality-related contingencies with FIFA. No policies are posted publicly. Article content Article content The World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Canada will stage 13 games _ seven in Vancouver and six in Toronto. Article content Article content The Air Quality Health Index rating for Toronto was over 10, or 'very high risk,' on Monday morning, dropping to a 'high risk' rating of 8 by late afternoon. Article content In the CFL, meanwhile, games can't be played when the AQHI surpasses a threshold of seven, according to an agreement with the players. CFL stadiums are also equipped with air-quality sensors to provide real-time readings. Article content The CFL postponed the Saskatchewan Roughriders -Calgary Stampeders game in Regina from Friday night to Saturday afternoon this past weekend due to air quality issues, as wildfires from northern Saskatchewan pushed the AQHI above 10. Article content Many minor soccer associations in Canada also recommend delaying or rescheduling games if the AQHI is 7 or higher. Article content Article content Dr. Howard Shapiro, Toronto's associate medical officer of health, said in a statement that Toronto Public Health is actively reviewing the latest evidence and best practices for air-quality issues as the city prepares to host the World Cup. Article content 'TPH may provide guidance and recommendations on public health risks, including environmental health concerns such as extreme weather and wildfire smoke,' the statement read. 'This includes contingency planning to support the health and safety of residents, visitors, and participants during the tournament.' Article content Canada recorded its most destructive wildfire season in 2023, with more than 6,000 fires burning 15 million hectares of land, according to Natural Resources Canada. This year's fire season, according to government data, is the second-largest on record. Article content Dr. Andrew Halayko, a professor of physiology and pathophysiology at the University of Manitoba, calls an AQHI above 10 a 'no-brainer' for postponing sporting events.
CTV News
a day ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Riders' defense striving to get back to its identity
WATCH: The Saskatchewan Roughriders defence had its worst outing of the season last game – and is now looking for payback. Jacob Carr explains.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Riders looking to rebound against Lions
Regina Watch WATCH: The Saskatchewan Roughriders defence had its worst outing of the season last game – and is now looking for payback. Jacob Carr explains.
