MOHAWKS !!!

By Murray McCormick, Leader-PostOctober 10, 2009


Some members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders have adopted a radical hairstyle to help with team unity.

Considering the result of their decision to sport Mohawk hairstyles, there may be more when the Riders return to practice Tuesday.

"I was thinking about doing it before the game and at halftime,'' returner Jason Armstead said after the Riders beat the Toronto Argonauts 32-22 before 29,361 spectator at Mosaic Stadium.

"I was feeling the vibe as the game went on. For the most part, I might pull one next weekend.''

A Mohawk features shaved sides and a long strip of hair down the middle. Some of the younger members of the team adopted the hairstyle after losing 19-16 to the B.C. Lions on Oct. 2. But even veteran cornerback Omarr Morgan, who has played 10 seasons in the CFL, has the beginnings of a Mohawk.

"You want to try something different every now and again,'' said Morgan. "It's just a chance to show some team camaraderie. I'm the ultimate team player and I will do whatever I have to do.''
The idea for the Mohawks was conceived by quarterback Darian Durant and receivers Rob Bagg, Andy Fantuz and Weston Dressler.

"Some guys grow playoff beards, we're growing Mohawks,'' said Fantuz, who already has the thickest and highest of all the Mohawks. "It's good to see a bunch of guys buying into it. They don't care what other people think and it shows that we're in this together.''

Not all of the Riders are going to adopt Mohawks. Defensive end Stevie Baggs doesn't have any plans to sacrifice his dreadlocks for the team cause.

"I'm like Samson,'' said Baggs. "They would take away my strength if they cut my hair. It's good to see that because it's good for team unity.''

Baggs was surprised to see that players competing at a professional level would adopt a Mohawks.

"It's rare because it's a lower-level type of deal,'' said Baggs. "It lets you know the type of guys we have here. We break the stereotype of the prototypical football player with our program and what we do.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com