Saskatchewan Roughriders legend Darian Durant did not have the same opportunity Hamilton Tiger-Cats' quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell envisions: retiring from the CFL after winning a Grey Cup.
"I never had that moment. After we won the Grey Cup, I was injured two years in a row. We had a coaching change and a horrible season, then I was traded to Montreal. I never had a successful season like Bo did last year, where you can hang your hat on an MOP season and then say: 'OK, I have one MOP at another spot.' Now, if I can get a Grey Cup at this destination as well... what more does he have to prove?," Durant asked on the SportsCage.
"He has Grey Cups and he has MOPs in Calgary. So for him to do it in two different places, it's time for you to go and I think he's looking at it the right way."
Durant suffered a torn tendon in his right elbow on September 7, 2014 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and missed the rest of the season. The following year he ruptured his Achilles tendon against the Bombers in the season opener.
When Durant came back for the 2016 season, the Riders finished with a 5-13 record. In the 2016 offseason, he was traded to the Montreal Alouettes and played his last year in the CFL in 2017.
Last season, Mitchell earned the East Division Most Outstanding Player award. He suited up for all regular season 18 games, throwing for 5,451 yards with 32 touchdowns against 18 interceptions. He has championship aspirations for the Ticats in 2025: riding off into the sunset with his team on top.
"I see it every day," Mitchell told 3DownNation's Justin Dunk when asked about the possibility. "Every day when I'm working out, it's the picture I'm seeing, absolutely."
Meanwhile, Saskatchewan's rookie camp begins on May 7 in Saskatoon, SK. Durant shared his approach from his playing days.
"We would come up about a month early, myself and the veteran receivers, getting some light workout days and getting back acclimated to the atmosphere and the altitude for sure," Durant said.
"You have to get used to the breathing, so you want to get yourself back acclimated with Saskatchewan and the wind and all the elements of being there. So you give yourself about a month and you hang out, work out with the guys. If you don't have a place lined up, you go ahead and get your living arrangements down."
