Rider fans rejoice after Durant sticks it to the Bombers one last time

Quarterback Darian Durant’s decision to retire on Friday without apparently telling the Bombers and keeping $70,000 in bonus money he’s already been paid has earned him the ire of one fan base… and the appreciation of another.

Rider fans, many of whom still have a soft spot for Durant given his success there, took to social media to express a little schadenfreude towards their prairie counterparts. The two teams meet on Labour Day and in the Banjo Bowl the following week in what’s become one of the best rivalries in the CFL.

A sampling…

"Shocked this morning that he (Durant) retired. Kinda laughing that it's a week before training camp & they're panicking in Winnipeg that he pulled the pin. I told him one last kick at the #Bombers before he's done." – @rodpedersenpic.twitter.com/lrxtxkQGRc #CFL via @GlobalRegina

— CFL News (@CFL_News) May 11, 2018

Apparently Darian's last act as a CFL player was to give it to the Bombers one last time… Now that is Plaza of Honour worthy https://t.co/JmUXtbVDMF

— 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕘𝕆𝕟𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕤 🌾🏈🎙️ (@GregOnSports) May 11, 2018

Currently writing fan fiction in my head where Darian Durant and Chris Jones conspired a long con to fleece the Bombers of a bunch of money and cap space… The injury, the "contentious" relationship, "moderately successful"…

NM Bomber fans are doing it for me…

— 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕘𝕆𝕟𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕤 🌾🏈🎙️ (@GregOnSports) May 11, 2018

https://twitter.com/Eesh29/status/994975569237422081

Did #RIDERNATION just pull off the ultimate #TrojanHorse move on the #Bombers??? Fan favorite Darian Durant leaves the Bombers with no viable backup qb, 9 days before camp opens!! #Riders #CFL

— Kris Moen (@Moenski) May 11, 2018

https://twitter.com/MouradB/status/994965308522708993

Is it just me or did @dariandurant just indirectly put this #Riders #Bombers rivalry thru the roof for this upcoming season?? Can't wait for Labour Day…

— Shayne Galger (@shaggybear_15) May 11, 2018

https://twitter.com/LuvChaos/status/994952124021854209

The amount of salt this morning is incredible, especially when it tastes so sweet. #CFL #Bombers #Riders #DarianDurant

— Alex Dormuth (@RealAlexD) May 11, 2018

https://twitter.com/ClassCJones/status/994944368120283141

Like a true Roughrider, Darian Durant used his last acts as a football player to screw over the Bombers. #Riders https://t.co/TYZo3gLpc7

— Chris Vandenbreekel 🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦 (@Vandecision) May 11, 2018

A true #CFLGoat move here.

😂😂😂😂

— The CFL Goat (@TheCFLGOAT) May 11, 2018

Of course, Bomber fans were less impressed, particularly after reports emerged about the bonus payments and the cap implications…

https://twitter.com/TjHeath34/status/994947974747877378

I’m pretty sure @dariandurant did it on purpose. He had no intention of playing for the bombers. Just wanted to screw us. Thanks for nothing.

— Andrew Irving (@14_Irving) May 11, 2018

https://twitter.com/LawsonJeff/status/994945694522904577

Might make us feel a bit better! 🐻👊🔵💣!!! pic.twitter.com/kHYDT68ZQS

— BomberFanTed (@BomberFanTed) May 11, 2018

I’m pretty sure @dariandurant did it on purpose. He had no intention of playing for the bombers. Just wanted to screw us. Thanks for nothing.

— Andrew Irving (@14_Irving) May 11, 2018

There’s also plenty of debate surrounding the ethics of Durant’s decision as well as the relatively standard practice of team’s cutting players before roster bonuses are due.

Durant has always been something of a polarizing figure, given his occasional struggles and the will-he-or-won’t-he dance with the Riders after 2016 season – the debate over his true legacy has already begun – so it seems kind of fitting that even his retirement should be embroiled in controversy.