Riders lose another player to unexpected retirement

Roughriders American offensive tackle Bruce Campbell has retired from football, filing papers with the CFL.

The 27-year-old blocker started 15 regular season games for Toronto in 2015. After a successful first year in the CFL, Saskatchewan made a deal for Campbell on February 10. The Riders sent a fourth-round pick, 27th overall in the 2016 CFL Draft and a negotiation list player to the Argos for the import lineman. Campbell’s unexpected decision leaves Saskatchewan without a projected starting left tackle.

That marks the second player under contract with the Riders to walk away from football this off-season – Maurice Price announced his retirement in late April. Less than three months after Saskatchewan sent sixth- and seventh-round selections in the 2016 CFL Draft to Ottawa for the international receiver.

Price signed a fresh pact with the Riders once the swap was completed, which included a sizeable signing bonus – $30,000 range – that he was able to keep. Not only did Price’s departure hurt Saskatchewan in the pocketbook, it left a starting receiver position to fill.

There was no way to predict that Campbell and Price – proven CFL players – would retire when the Riders went out and acquired them. That said, those choices have cost the team money and valuable Canadian Draft picks for what’s turned out to be nothing in return.