Justin Hardy à l'unanimité : Le joueur le plus robuste d'Ottawa

10/25/2024 09:54 AM

Justin Hardy is the unanimous vote for the Ottawa REDBLACKS' Most Outstanding Player, and it makes sense, because "outstanding" is a pretty great way to describe his 2024 season.

In 16 games this season, the 32-year-old has 97 receptions, 1,343 yards, and five touchdowns, with each stat being at or near the top of the league. Hardy isn't the biggest receiver in the league at five-foot-10, he's not the fastest guy in the league, and he probably isn't the most athletic, but you can make the argument that he's the most consistent and versatile.

Whether it's a 68-yard bomb down the rail for a touchdown, or a quick dump-off to get the quarterback out of trouble, Dru Brown has been looking Hardy's way often this season, and he's soaked up the most of it.

Now, here he is a week away from playing in the playoffs, earning team MOP honours.

"It's great," Hardy said on TSN 1200 on Wednesday. "I give grace to God to put me in the position to be here, and I'm grateful and thankful for my peers to vote me for this."

At every level he's ever played, Hardy has always been successful. He was an elite high school player according to his old coach, he broke the NCAA record for career receptions at East Carolina, and made it to a Super Bowl with the Atlanta Falcons.

A resume like that is more than enough for most to call it a career, but not in Hardy's case. He's still hunting a Grey Cup, and putting in the work with Mohamed Sanu, a long-time teammate of his while with the Falcons.

"It's learning the pace of the game," Hardy said. "I'm hanging my hat on my offseason training, just coming in prepared to withstand the season, and being prepared to do whatever the team asks me to do."

"You've got the bigger field up here, you've got the waggle, so there's a lot more running. You have to prepare for that in the offseason, and make sure my legs will be good for that."

Hardy's regular season stats will remain as they are through the final week of the season, as he'll stay on the sideline with an ankle injury.

Without him, the REDBLACKS will be in search of a win to help put the train back on the tracks, after dropping their past five games. Though not on the field, Hardy feels confident in his guys, and says everyone is still in good spirits as they head into the postseason.

"The atmosphere is there, confidence is there, and the attitude is good," Hardy said. "We just have to go out there and play 12-man football in all three phases, and the results will come."

Regardless of the situation, the REDBLACKS have proven that they'll fight through it.

"Up here especially, the game is never over," Hardy said. "You have to fight to the end."