Nick Wiebe made his professional debut in Week 14, suiting up for the Saskatchewan Roughriders against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The six-foot-three, 240-pound Canadian linebacker is in his rookie season with the Riders and did not play the first 12 games because he was rehabbing an ACL injury. That setback occurred when he was with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies during the 2023 Hardy Cup playoffs.

“I’ve been super lucky with injuries up to this point,” Wiebe said. “It was a different experience being out and not being able to play football — not being able to participate in the sport I’ve played for so long.”

It was Wiebe’s first surgery in his football career and he credits his loved ones who helped him through rehab.

“It was a new territory for me. I had my mom and dad with me, so I was super lucky for them to be in the same room as me. They supported me through that whole process,” Wiebe said.

“They count you down under the knife, you fall asleep and wake up with a new knee. I got my surgery in Saskatoon and then the next day jumped in the truck and drove home to Calgary for rehab.”

The whole experience made Wiebe stronger; anything less than that would not have been up to his standard.

“Going out at anything less than 100 percent would be irresponsible of me,” Wiebe said. “Dan Farthing, he’s got me and Jaxon [Ford] back to 100 percent.”

Farthing is a former Rider who earned a Plaza of Honour induction in 2009. He was hired as the team’s head of strength and conditioning coach for the 2024 season. 

The Roughriders’ next game is Friday, September 20, when the team travels to Calgary to take on the Stampeders. Countdown to Kickoff starts at 4:30 p.m., with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. live on 620 CKRM. Saskatchewan tries to snap a current 0-6-1 winless streak at McMahon Stadium.