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February 4, 2025

The REDBLACKS party has started, now Adarius Pickett wants to finish it

Toronto Argonauts vs Ottawa REDBLACKS September 7, 2024 PHOTO: André Ringuette/Freestyle Photography

Adarius Pickett’s nickname has long been “The Party Starter,” and it’s safe to say he lived up to those expectations in 2024.

The Berkeley, California native was a marquee signing for the Ottawa REDBLACKS ahead of last season, already owning the reputation of being the best SAM linebacker in the Canadian Football League. He made an immediate — and important — impact on the field, grabbing an interception in Ottawa’s Week 2 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Heading into Week 15, the REDBLACKS sat with an 8-3-1 record, and had a chance to clinch their first postseason berth since 2018. Everything was going so smoothly, then all of a sudden, a team-altering jolt struck the club.

There on the field in Hamilton, just a couple of plays into one of the most anticipated games of the season, Pickett laid on the ground in need of attention. He didn’t yet know what was in store.

At first, he thought it was no worse than a calf strain that might keep him out of the lineup for a couple of weeks at most, no big deal. He got up and walked off the field, concerns mostly minimal, as he was reassured that after a major Achilles injury, you don’t just walk away. In Hamilton, they did an ultrasound where they didn’t see anything immediately concerning — another really good sign.

When he finally got the chance the following Monday to have an MRI just to be sure, Pickett was told his season was over, his Achilles was torn.

“It was hard to process,” he said. “Having to take the back seat and not be out there competing with my teammates was hard. I’m thankful [I was able to contribute in other ways].”

During games on the sideline, you could always spot Pickett thanks to three things: the scooter he used to get around, a flashy outfit, and the headset over his ears. Coaching his teammates became one of his jobs, breaking down film, and offering any wisdom he could to the younger defensive backs trying to fill his big boots, but it wasn’t the only thing occupying his time.

On practice days, there was a sudden uptick in music quality following Pickett’s injury, as he became DJ Party Starter, bringing his DJ equipment to the park to spin tracks.

No two days were the same. Sometimes, he played soul music, and other times, he dabbled in the mainstream, but it helped him distract himself from the injury and maintain a positive outlook.

Without question, the care he’s taken with the mental half of his rehab has played a large part in making the physical portion as successful as it has been. He was told that he would likely be sprinting by March, but before the calendar has even flipped to February, he’s soon to reach that point.

“I’ve been killing it in rehab since I’ve been back in Los Angeles,” Pickett said, hardly able to contain his enthusiasm. “I’m excited about my progress right now. We are ahead of schedule, so I can’t complain too much.”

His goal, which he believes to be achievable, is to be ready to go by training camp. For a while, however, he wasn’t positive that would be in REDBLACKS colours, though he was hopeful it would be. Late last week, his wish came true, and he inked a brand-new one-year deal to remain in the nation’s capital.

He’s just one of the many marquee pending free agents General Manager Shawn Burke has been able to retain, including Justin Hardy, Jovan Santos-Knox, and the entire defensive line, just to name a few, which has Pickett grinning ear-to-ear.

“It’s exciting to see something that was started last year holding together for the most part, it’s definitely trending in the right direction,” Pickett said. “I think that camaraderie is going to pay dividends as you enter the season and go throughout the year.”

Seeing all those names return to the fold certainly helped sway the two-time recipient of All-CFL East Division honours to stay, but the addition of Defensive Coordinator William Fields sweetened the pot even more.

Together with the Toronto Argonauts in 2023, they raced to a 16-2 record and an appearance in the East Final. That season, Pickett had his biggest statistical campaign, making 124 total tackles, securing six sacks, and forcing a fumble. It earned Fields some high praise, particularly for his knowledge of the game, and commitment to making players better.

“He was on me, whether it was pass rush, coverages, or getting my eyes right, he helped evolve me as a football player,” Pickett said. “That was a big thing about signing back in Ottawa. I know what he is about and I know he wants to win at the end of the day.”

The way the 2024 season ended has stuck in Pickett’s mind over the winter in an uncomfortable way. It was the first time he’d ever suffered a season-ending injury, and on the football field, the REDBLACKS went down in crushing fashion.

In his mind, the only way to make right in 2025 is to finish the year playing his best football, and ultimately lifting the Grey Cup high above his head for the first time.

“I want to finish the season strong, both individually and as a team,” he said. “I want it to be a dominating season where we can look back at the end of it and be proud of what we accomplished.”