Jayden Dalke, a five-year veteran with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, died Saturday in a vehicle accident on the day before he was scheduled to resume practising with the CFL team.
“It is with profound sadness that the Saskatchewan Roughriders mourn the loss of linebacker and team captain Jayden Dalke, who passed away in a car accident yesterday evening,” read a media release issued Sunday afternoon by the Roughriders.
“A relentless warrior on the field, Jayden’s determination, toughness and work ethic inspired his teammates, who cared deeply for him and are heartbroken by his passing.”
Dalke, 30, grew up in Leduc, Alta., where he played amateur football before joining the University of Alberta Golden Bears and twice earning All-Canadian status.
The Roughriders cancelled their scheduled practice Sunday morning, when players were expected to return from a CFL bye week.
The Roughriders had another practice scheduled for Monday at Mosaic Stadium. After defeating the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats 38-7 on July 12, the Roughriders were slated to play host to the Edmonton Elks on Thursday.
Condolences started appearing on social media immediately after the team’s announcement, with notes coming from other teams, media and the CFL office. Included was a post from Riders short-yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens.
“Doesn’t feel real, man,” Stevens wrote. “Dalke was the best teammate and the best friend a guy could ever ask for.
“Thank you for always treating me like family from the very beginning. I will cherish those memories for the rest of my life. I wish I could tell you how much you meant to me. I love you brother. I will miss you.”
Before Sunday’s game in Ottawa against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Redblacks had a moment of silence in Dalke’s honour. Former Riders teammates A.J. Allen, C.J. Reavis and Tommy Nield were shown on the TSN telecast.
Two sources close to the Roughriders said Dalke was in an accident Saturday night near Lumsden.
According to the Lumsden Volunteer Fire Department, it attended a two-vehicle collision at 9:10 p.m. on Highway 11 between Regina and Lumsden. One vehicle was in the centre median and another in the southbound ditch.
Another person died at the scene, according to CBC. The Saskatchewan RCMP did not respond to numerous messages from the Regina Leader-Post.
Reports did not indicate which direction the vehicles were travelling or if more people were involved. The southbound lane was closed to traffic and travel was restricted for several hours in the northbound lane.
Dalke was a sixth-round selection in the CFL’s 2022 draft who became Saskatchewan’s hard-hitting safety before being converted into a linebacker. At 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, he was also a physical presence on special teams.
“Jayden had a unique gift of making the people around him feel special and valued,” said the release. “No one ever left a conversation with him without a smile. On and off the field, he was the true definition of what it means to be a Saskatchewan Roughrider.
“Our hearts go out to the entire Dalke family, who traveled the country to watch Jayden live his dream. We will miss him terribly and will never forget the impact he had on our lives and our team.”
Dalke played 68 regular-season games, according to cfl.ca, recording 69 defensive tackles and 31 special-teams tackles in addition to one sack, one interception and three forced fumbles. Dalke was on Saskatchewan’s roster when the Roughriders defeated the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 in the 2025 Grey Cup.