It’s the news Rider Nation didn’t want to hear…popular defensive end and sack master Charleston Hughes has been released by Saskatchewan!
The six-time all-star will become a free agent next Tuesday. The 37-year-old recorded 50 tackles and 16 sacks over 17 games with the Riders in 2019, his second season in Regina. Hughes joined Saskatchewan after spending the first 10 years of his career with Calgary. He is a four-time C-F-L sack leader and, over 181 career games, Hughes has 457 tackles and 130 sacks. Following is the news release from the Roughriders…
DATE: February 3, 2021
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR21-022
RIDERS RELEASE DEFENSIVE END CHARLESTON HUGHES
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have released American defensive end Charleston Hughes.
Hughes was scheduled to become a free agent on February 9.
“After ongoing negotiations that took place over the last several weeks, we were unable to come to an agreement with Charleston,” said Vice President of Football Operations Jeremy O’Day. “While we are disappointed, we want to thank Charleston for his dedication to the Riders and to the Saskatchewan community during his time with the Club.”
Hughes signed with the Roughriders after being traded to Saskatchewan in February of 2018. He went on to play 34 regular season games in green and white, making 85 defensive tackles, 31 sacks, seven forced fumbles and scoring two touchdowns. He also played in two playoff games making six tackles and a sack. Hughes was a CFL All-Star both seasons he played for the Riders and was the team’s 2019 nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Prior to coming to the Riders, Hughes played 10 seasons with the Calgary Stampeders and won two Grey Cup Championships.
