Saskatchewan Roughriders captain Jayden Dalke dies in car crash at age 30

Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker and team captain Jayden Dalke was killed in a car accident Saturday evening, the team announced Sunday. He was 30.

Dalke, a native of Leduc, Alberta, had played for the Roughriders since being selected in the sixth round of the 2022 CFL Draft. He played 68 career CFL games, including all 18 regular-season games and two post-season games last year, helping the Roughriders win the Grey Cup. In the team's most recent game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Dalke had returned to the lineup after missing time with an upper-body injury and was placed on the CFL's honour roll for his special-teams play.

"It is with profound sadness that the Saskatchewan Roughriders mourn the loss of linebacker and team captain Jayden Dalke, who passed away in a car accident Saturday evening," the Roughriders said in a statement. "A relentless warrior on the field, Jayden's determination, toughness and work ethic inspired his teammates, who cared deeply for him and are heartbroken by his passing. Jayden had a unique gift of making the people around him feel special and valued. No one ever left a conversation with him without a smile."

Dalke played U Sports football at the University of Alberta, earning a first-team All-Canadian honour in 2019 and second-team All-Canadian in 2021. The Roughriders cancelled their practice Sunday and are scheduled to practise Monday ahead of their next game Thursday against the Edmonton Elks.