Saskatchewan Roughriders

Saskatchewan Roughriders mourn Grey Cup champion Garner Ekstran

by
3Down Staff
April 6, 2026

Photo: Handout/Saskatchewan Roughriders

Garner Ekstran has died at the age of 86.

The native of Bow, Wash. played linebacker and defensive end for the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 1961 to 1967, earning four All-West Division selections, three All-CFL selections, and winning one Grey Cup. He also played for the B.C. Lions in 1968.

The six-foot, 225-pound product of Washington State University played 118 regular-season CFL games over the course of his career, recording 11 fumble recoveries, one interception, five catches for 75 yards, and two kick returns for eight yards.

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Tackles and sacks were not recorded as official statistics during Ekstran’s career.

“The Saskatchewan Roughriders were saddened to learn of the passing of 1966 Grey Cup champion Garner Ekstran,” the team wrote in a statement. “The club extends its sincere condolences to Ekstran’s family, friends and loved ones.”

Ekstran was inducted into the SaskTel Plaza of Honour in 1990.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders kept most of their big names in free agency but still suffered some key losses, including quarterback Jake Maier (Ottawa Redblacks), receiver Tommy Nield (Winnipeg Blue Bombers), defensive lineman Malik Carney (Edmonton Elks), linebacker A.J. Allen (Ottawa Redblacks), and strong-side linebacker C.J. Reavis (Ottawa Redblacks). Micah Johnson retired to become the team’s defensive line coach, while receiver Dohnte Meyers departed for an NFL shot with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Roughriders hold the ninth overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on May 10. Saskatchewan will play its first preseason game against the Calgary Stampeders on Monday, May 18 and its first regular-season game against the B.C. Lions on Saturday, June 13.

In 2025, Saskatchewan finished first in the West Division standings with a 12-6 record. The team went on to defeat the Montreal Alouettes in the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg, marking the club’s first championship in 12 years.