‘You have to keep going’: Riders learn from the past as they grieve

“It’s real tough. Those type of situations are just crazy. When it happens, it’s obviously unexpected and that’s what so tough about the football family. You go from seeing a guy every day — I’m talking about we are with each other for hours, you’re with each other on the road, you get to know each other’s family,” said Johnson, who was a defensive tackle with the Stamps.

Johnson said one of the hardest parts of this is thinking about the family and how much they are hurting.

“Those are the type of things that are hard,” Johnson said.

“The same thing with Mylan. Mylan had a great family and the hurt you would see when his mom would come up there and the hurt the parents are going through. That’s the biggest thing for me because I have kids now myself, and I could not imagine getting news like that.”

Mace said one of the important things to do in this situation is to have empathy for those around you and to realize people grieve in different ways.

“Some guys need to let out some aggression — maybe that’s in the weight room or it’s on game day. Some people like myself are emotional types at times, and if you need somewhere to cry, you can do it right here,” Mace said.

“It’s just to respect everybody and know everyone is in the same spot but how you approach it is maybe different. Just to understand that and throw an arm around somebody because everyone is going to need it.”

After the team cancelled practice on Sunday, the team returned on Monday and Tuesday as they prepare for a Thursday showdown with the Edmonton Elks.

Johnson said getting back onto the field can help players work through their grief and emotions, but getting right back into things has been something he has struggled with in the past.

“Similar to my father passing or Mylan passing, it’s like these guys are good people and meant so much, it’s almost like I need the world to stop more. One day is not enough but that’s the reality of the world — it keeps going. Time keeps going and you have to keep going. For me, it was always hard in that position just to keep pushing,” Johnson said.

“In some ways, football helps the grieving process because you have to keep going, you have to move forward. For me, that’s how football in those situations has helped me.”

Kickoff for the game at Mosaic Stadium is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday.

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by Britton Gray/CJME

‘You have to keep going’: Riders learn from the past as they grieve

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