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He came back for a chance to win.
And that’s just what he did.
Receiver Eric Rogers battled through a knee injury for most of the 2018 season, but was able to return for the biggest games of the season and put on a clutch performance. In the Western Final, he single-handedly lifted the Stampeders over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with a trio of touchdown catches. He added another six grabs and 64 yards in the team’s Grey Cup win over the Ottawa RedBlacks.
“This,’’ said Rogers, a part of Calgary’s last title team in 2014 before giving the NFL a whirl, “is why I came back. This is why you play. Games like this. To give yourself another chance at a Grey Cup.”
Rogers suited up for just nine games in 2018, but he still managed to haul in 36 catches for 499 yards and five touchdowns.
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The 28-year old was a consistent scoring threat when he was on the field thanks to his strong connection with quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell.
“He’s a big-time player,’’ praised Mitchell of his sure-handed slotback. “An MOP-type player. Obviously the knee injury happened and he’s been fighting back from that but when he trusts himself, trusts his knee, he cuts and breaks the way he can … good luck trying to defend him, he can catch it with anybody.
“We didn’t necessarily create things for him going into the green zone but they just kinda gave us the coverage to put it. I throw where the defence tells me to throw.”
The pair would routinely connect for incredible plays, just like this one.
Despite some obvious setbacks in 2018 due to his health, Rogers is still one of the league’s top pass-catchers and endzone threats.
Rogers re-upped with the Stampeders just before the start of free agency and will be back catching passes from Mitchell next season at McMahon Stadium.
Check out some of our favourite Eric Rogers photos from this past season!