Benefield ready to do the work

Mon July 7, 2004
Rob Vanstone
Regina Leader-Post

On Monday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders' defensive end fielded the inevitable "What will it be like for you to go back to Winnipeg?'' inquiry.

Considering that Benefield is known for telling salivating media carnivores exactly what is on his ever-active mind, it was reasonable to expect him to utter something inflammatory.

After all, he was less than thrilled with the Bombers' decision not to re-sign him after he was named a CFL all-star in 2003. So, naturally, he is anxious for revenge when Saskatchewan visits Winnipeg on Thursday . . . right?

"No . . . no . . . no,'' Benefield replied following Monday's practice. "It's always about just playing your ass off. It's not like, 'I'll show you.' You just play.''

Perhaps a CFL neophyte, faced with confronting his former team for the first time, would react in acerbic fashion.

Not Benefield.

"There's always someone who says, 'I want to show that GM because he didn't offer me enough money,' or, 'I want to show that guy because he said bad things about me,' '' Benefield said. "I'm like, 'Just go out and play your game.' ''

At 36, Benefield has an acute understanding of the way the game is played. Since 1990, his rights have been owned by five CFL teams.

Benefield knows that today's foe can be tomorrow's comrade. So why hold a grudge? Why seek retribution?

Nothing is gained by derogating the opposition -- especially when you have a soft spot for the Bombers' colours.

"My junior high and elementary school colours were blue and gold,'' recalled Benefield -- a Los Angeles product who attended California State University at Northridge. "The high school I wanted to go to was blue and gold. The university I wanted to go to was blue and gold. When I got to go there, it was kind of cool because I finally got to wear blue and gold. Somewhere along the line in college, I wanted to wear red and gold. It changed. That's how things work now. It just changes.

"Hey, we're out to do some work. It's a work day. Here's what I've got to do. That's what it's all about now. It's not so much of a hate (for the opponent). It's just, 'Dude, I'm here to work. You want to keep it clean? You want to keep our mouthpieces in? We can do work. After the game, we'll talk about it. You can send me a Christmas card. I'll give you a call. Whatever.' And that's it. I'm all about getting ready to go and do work.''

It just so happens that vocational obligations call for Benefield and the Riders to visit Winnipeg on Thursday.

"It's going to be cool playing there,'' Benefield said. "I like the turf, right? Great turf. I made some pretty cool fans and friends there -- mostly fans. I made new fans there. That's always good. You always want to play well for the fans.

"People either like you or hate you -- like the Internet geeks and people like that, who hate you and say all this stuff but don't really know anything about you or what you're supposed to be doing.

"You go from city to city and you convert people into your fans. Some people don't like you because you're playing against them, but they still appreciate what you do on the field if you're playing for another team. It's a weird scene. It's a weird scenario.''

Benefield hopes to be a part of that scenario. He sat out Monday's practice with a sore knee, which did not prevent him from enjoying his finest game as a Roughrider in Friday's 42-29 victory over the visiting Lions.

Riders head coach Danny Barrett referred to Benefield's absence as "precautionary.''

Barring any complications, Benefield is to return to practice today and to Winnipeg for Thursday's game.

Which brings us to another predictable question: How will he be received by the Bombers' faithful now that he is a member of the arch-rival Roughriders?

"I don't really care anymore about who's a fan or who's not,'' Benefield said. "Whatever. You like me this year. You don't like me next year.

Whatever.

"The important thing is that our team wins. Our team right here has got too many great things going for it to get caught up in any sideline sort of stuff. It's important that we win. I don't care what role I play.''

Spoken like a pro.