Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Jayden Dalke died in a vehicle crash on Saturday night.
The team confirmed his death on Sunday.
“It is with tremendous sadness that we share the tragic news of Jayden’s passing. He was a passionate competitor who played with incredible heart. Off the field, he will be remembered for his leadership in the locker room and his dedication to the community,” CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston said in a written statement.
“The CFL has lost a teammate, a Canadian brother and a friend. On behalf of the Board of Governors, our CFL family and the entire Canadian football community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Jayden’s family, friends, the Saskatchewan Roughriders organization and all those whose lives were bettered through knowing him.”
Several Riders team-mates also shared their grief at the news on X, including quarterback Tommy Stevens and defensive back Rollan Milligan Jr.
The 30-year-old linebacker was the team’s sixth-round selection (54th overall) in the 2022 CFL Draft.
He suited up for 68 games over five seasons, recording 69 tackles, 31 special teams tackles, a sack, an interception and three forced fumbles.
Prior to joining the Riders, the Leduc, Alta. athlete played in 16 games over three seasons at the University of Alberta. He recorded 94 tackles, three interceptions, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in a Golden Bears uniform. In 2021, he was named a Canada West First-Team All-Star and a U Sports Second-Team All-Canadian.
In 2019, he was a unanimous choice as a Canada West First-Team All-Star.
He also played with the Prairie Football Conference’s Edmonton Wildcats from 2015-18.
CFL teams acroos the league also posted condolence messages on X.
The Riders were set to return to practice on Sunday following their second bye week of the season, but cancelled it.
980 CJME has reached out to the RCMP to confirm details about the crash but had not received a response at the time of publication.
On Saturday night, Lumsden Fire Department posted on X that it was responding to a two-vehicle crash but there has been no official confirmation on if it is related to Dalke’s death.
In a statement, Lumsden Fire indicated it was dispatched to a two-vehicle crash east of Lumsden on Highway 11. Upon their arrival, they encountered one vehicle in the center median and one in the southbound ditch.
One man was receiving CPR from bystanders before fire department members took over. LFD members took over CPR from bystanders. The patient was later declared dead by EMS. One man was entrapped in the vehicle in the center meridian and was also declared dead on scene by EMS.
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