There was one goal in mind for Saskatchewan Roughriders' receiver Joe Robustelli leading into the 2025 CFL season.
"To show that I belonged on the field," Robustelli said on the SportsCage. "I think last year was more of a development as a player, learning the game. I came to this training camp feeling comfortable on the field. When I was given the opportunity, I was gonna be able to go out there and make some plays -- I feel like I'm doing that."
Through eight games, the six-foot-three, 220-pound receiver has started with the Green and White, he's made 28 receptions for 377 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The Riders won in Week 11 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 29-9. Robustelli finished the game with three receptions for 36 yards and one touchdown. For his touchdown celebration, he did 'The Griddy.'
"I promised one of my really good buddies, little brothers, that I'd do it for him," Robustelli explained. "I happened to score this week when I told him I would, so I'm a man of my word and I had to hit it."
Everything happened for a reason, and Robustelli's football career has had a lot of twists and turns.
"In my freshman year of high school, I did play tackle football, but that was the last year that I played. I was 14 years old at the time, and I remember talking to my dad about it. I was four-foot-11, I was really small, I wasn't really playing [and] I was used to being one of the better players on my teams," Robustelli explained.
"I was like, you know what? I think I'm gonna hang up the cleats and [my dad] was like, listen, I promise you this is gonna be one of the biggest regrets of your life. Being a dad, I'm sure that probably killed him, but he was right because I took 12 years off. I would have been playing throughout high school, who knows where I'd be right now. I am extremely blessed to be where I am right now, I'm super happy with where I am, but I took those 12 years off, which is wild."
This year, the Riders receiving group has dealt with injuries to Kian Schaffer-Baker, Samuel Emilus and Shawn Bane Jr. Those injuries meant the Green and White management had to trust players from the practice roster.
"Last year our roster was so deep. This year we pretty much had everybody the same," Robustelli said. "I'm sure the GM knew that they were fine because they've seen what we were able to do last year on the practice squad. They were like: 'Listen, anything happens, we know we've got guys who can come up and make plays.' That's why they brought us in and that's what we're gonna continue to do."
During his time on the practice roster and active roster, Robustelli continues to enjoy learning from veteran quarterback Trevor Harris.
"You ask him as many questions as you want and he's gonna tell you what it is and it's always gonna be the correct thing," Robustelli explained. "Coach [Marc] Mueller always says the same thing, they're two peas in a pod. They're both so dialed in and what they've got going on with this offence is incredible."
Saskatchewan hosts the Blue Bombers on Sunday for the annual Labour Day Classic game. Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates bring you the pre-game show at 2 p.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 5 p.m. Listen and watch our comprehensive coverage on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
