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Q: Did you always know that you would come back to Regina?

A: It has always been a dream of mine. Growing up in Regina as a seven-year old, I wasn’t dreaming of playing in the NFL or going to the Super Bowl. I was dreaming of playing for the Riders. Even though my career went into a different direction, I never really forgot about that dream when I was seven and it came true today.

Q: Financially, was the Riders’ offer the best one you received?

A: It worked out fine, but it wasn’t necessarily about the money. I definitely got a fair deal. I was talking to (former Riders slotback) Ray Elgaard and he said, “If it wasn’t about the money then why didn’t you sign?” Then I said it was a little about the money (laughs).

Photo by TROY FLEECE / Regina Leader-Post

Q: What was your family’s reaction when you told them that you were coming home?

A: They were pretty excited. About a month and half ago, my wife (Sarah Colonna) andI decided that the NFL wasn’t something that I wanted to pursue. The NFL was very good to me over the last years, but I wanted to move on. I told the NFL that I wanted to move on to the CFL and it worked out.

Q: What was the last year been like since being released by Seattle in August?

A: It sucked. For a guy who has been playing football since he was seven years old and professionally for 15 years … all of sudden you’re not in it anymore and it’s a weird feel. You just want to be on that field and I missed the game days and practice.

Q: Your signing means veteran punter Josh Bartel has been released. Is that part of the give and take of football?