Darrell Davis: Fajardo and Maas write a new, Grey Cup-winning story with Alouettes

CFL champions one year after getting dumped by Roughriders

Published Nov 19, 2023 • 3 minute read

Montreal Alouettes quarterback Cody Fajardo (7) hoists the Grey Cup as the Alouettes celebrate defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 110th CFL Grey Cup in Hamilton, Ont., on Sunday, November 19, 2023. Photo by Frank Gunn /THE CANADIAN PRESS

HAMILTON — Quarterback Cody Fajardo had just completed a Grey Cup-winning, career-defining touchdown drive and was standing amid his jubilant Montreal Alouettes teammates on a stage inside Tim Hortons Field.

“There’s always a sprinkle of Jesus,” said Fajardo, repeating a well-known mantra from his Saskatchewan Roughriders days, moments after being named the outstanding player in Montreal’s 28-24 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 110th Grey Cup.

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Watching the celebration from higher on the stage was Alouettes head coach Jason Maas, another Saskatchewan exile.

“I’m so grateful for the team that I have,” said Maas. “It’s one thing to win it, but when you win it with the right group of guys, it’s just phenomenal.

“I can’t wait to to hear all the stories.”

After a terrific game played before 28,808 fans on a clear, brisk night that was highlighted by amazing interceptions from Winnipeg’s Evan Holm and Montreal’s Kabion Ento, a memorable halftime show by Green Day and impressive offensive outings from Bombers tailback Brady Oliveira and Alouettes receiver Austin Mack, the most confusing story is Fajardo/Maas.

Just over one year ago they were unwanted in Saskatchewan. The Roughriders were losing their last seven games to miss the playoffs with a 6-12 record and head coach Craig Dickenson benched Fajardo — over the objections of Maas, his offensive coordinator — for the last two games.

Maas was fired after the regular season and Fajardo was allowed to leave as a free agent. Leading up to the Grey Cup, Fajardo told the media he wondered if his CFL career was over and Maas said he did some self-assessment, vowing to quell his sideline tantrums before being hired by the Alouettes for his second head coaching job gig and recruiting Fajardo as his quarterback.

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“I am changed,” said Maas. “I think I’m a better coach, a better person because of all the adversity I faced.

“I think that’s all I’ll say. I want to celebrate.”

Montreal Alouettes quarterback Cody Fajardo (7) and running back Jeshrun Antwi (20) celebrate with head coach Jason Maas after defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to win the 110th CFL Grey Cup football championship in Hamilton, Ont., on Sunday, November 19, 2023. Photo by Frank Gunn /THE CANADIAN PRESS

Fajardo also believes he has changed.

“I said I changed my mentality,” said Fajardo. “I wanted to go out there and play for people that believed in me, not the people that doubted me. And that helped me stay calm, clear and collected.”

Trying to win a third Grey Cup in their fourth straight appearance, the Blue Bombers led 17-7 at halftime, surrendered the lead and regained it with a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. Trailing 24-21 with less than two minutes remaining, Fajardo started a last-gasp drive with successive completions to Tyson Philpot, the game’s Most Outstanding Canadian, and moved to Winnipeg’s 19-yard line. Fajardo tossed the game-winning major to Philpot with 13 seconds remaining. Fajardo completed 21 of 26 passes for 290 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

There weren’t many people who believed Fajardo, a short-yardage specialist before joining the Roughriders in 2019, had the wherewithal to win a championship as a starter.

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“To be standing here as a Grey Cup champ and have an organization that believes I could be a Grey Cup-winning champion, it means all the world,” said Fajardo.

So the Roughriders dumped two people they believed would not win a Grey Cup, who one year later won a Grey Cup. Ahh, what do they know?

Dickenson has subsequently been let go, while Roughriders general manager Jeremy O’Day was given a three-year contract and has begun seeking a new head coach. But sudden success of Fajardo and Maas doesn’t look very good on the rebuilding Roughriders.