‘Difficult and embarrassing’: Riders’ Jake Dolegala addresses DUI arrest

Saskatchewan Roughriders backup quarterback Jake Dolegala called his recent DUI arrest “difficult and embarrassing” during a Monday afternoon news conference outside Mosaic Stadium.

Earlier Monday, a statement released by the Roughriders detailed how Dolegala approached the team on Sunday to say he was arrested and charged during the bye week, and is suspending Dolegala for one game as a result.

“I felt like I let a lot of people down – my teammates, my fans and this organization,” Dolegala said in his brief chat with reporters.

« It was obviously a tough conversation to have, but I wanted to be upfront and put everything on the table. No secrets.

Dolegala declined to provide specific details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“I never want to be a distraction for our purpose, for what we want to accomplish with the upcoming playoffs. It’s a terrible time,” added Dolegala.

Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson said that while Dolegala faces legal consequences, the team also feels the need to act.

“We have a code of conduct. He has to go through a legal process, but part of that code of conduct is that anything that’s detrimental to the team has to be dealt with,” Dickenson said.

« We felt like with a one-game suspension, he’s not going to train this week, he’s not going to travel, he’s not going to get paid. We felt compelled to do something. »

In a Monday afternoon news release, Whit Butte RCMP said 25-year-old Jacob Dolegala had been charged with « impaired operation of a conveyance » and « driving a conveyance. » transport greater than 0.08″ after police received a call on the evening of September 17 about a possible impaired driver at Emerald Park.

Impaired driving in Saskatchewan carries, at a minimum, an immediate driver’s license suspension, vehicle impoundment and a minimum fine of $1,250.

The legal implications depend on each case.

Starting quarterback Cody Fajardo, meanwhile, offered his teammate his support on Monday.

“Obviously he feels bad about it and made a mistake. A lot of people make mistakes and I hope he can learn from them and improve,” Fajardo said.

“I will support him through this. I’ll be in his corner, because he’s a guy I try to take under my wing as a young quarterback in this league. So I will help him in any way I can.