As he travels to Toronto for this Eastern Final, Cody Fajardo’s thoughts are still on the Gray Cup ring he won in 2017 wearing the Argonauts jersey as an assistant to Ricky Ray. Instead, he has long dreamed of a championship as a starting quarterback.
“This ring is in my safe at home and I haven’t taken it out much since we won,” the Alouettes quarterback admitted. It’s something I will cherish for the rest of my life because it’s always great to win a championship. I made good contacts in Toronto in the three years I was there, but to be honest, I’ll focus on all of that when I retire. It’s obvious right now that a championship as a starting quarterback would mean so much more to me.”
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“In training camp we talked about the goal of winning the Gray Cup and we are just one game away from reaching that final. It’s exciting to have this opportunity,” Fajardo added.
Painful memories of 2019
Two small victories separate Fajardo from his big goal. This was also the case in 2019, his first year as a starter with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Then again in 2021, still with the Riders. Each time, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated him in the Western final before winning the Gray Cup.
“It hurts a lot more [de perdre] As they approached, Fajardo agreed. Compared to those years of missing the playoffs, everything you want seems to be right in front of you.
The memories of 2019 are likely to be particularly painful for the Alouettes quarterback. The Saskatchewan defense then managed to limit the Blue Bombers to 20 points, but Fajardo was unable to score more than 13 points with his offensive teammates.
With just over two minutes remaining in the Western finale, played in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Mosaic Stadium, Fajardo was initially stopped on a third down and had one yard left to reach the end zone and tie the game. Then, in the final seconds, the Roughriders were still threatening inside the 10 yards when Fajardo’s final pass accidentally hit the crossbar of the field goal structure. There was consternation in Saskatchewan.
I look forward to facing the Argonauts
Four years later, Fajardo hasn’t forgotten that dramatic end to the game. The 2021 setback also hurt when, despite five turnovers to their advantage in the first half, the Roughriders lost the game 21-17 in a Western final also played in Winnipeg.
“I have already experienced important games against very good opponents, and that will also be the case against this team, which has a record of 16-2 [en saison régulière], Fajardo summarized before Saturday’s game against the Argonauts. I’m happy where we are and I know our team can win the Gray Cup. I can’t wait for the opportunity to play against Toronto at their house.”
“I believe that the goal of every quarterback is to be consistent, and then the ultimate goal is to win a championship at some point,” confirmed Anthony Calvillo, former Alouettes quarterback and now the team’s offensive coordinator. The guys on this team believe in Cody and Cody has confidence. At the end of his career, a quarterback wants to have that feeling of success.”
Alouettes fans in Toronto?
Many fans are now looking forward to this famous Eastern final, which begins on Saturday at 3 p.m. Fajardo also expressed his wish that several Alouettes fans would travel to Toronto for this important game.
“Our fans were in Montreal last Saturday, it was extremely loud and they made it difficult for the Tiger-Cats offense on the field,” the quarterback noted. They are true supporters. It’s just a short trip to Toronto and we know there will be fans there supporting us. We love it!”