Former Roughrider Charleston Hughes to be inducted into Canadian Football Hall of Fame

Charleston Hughes, a former star for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, will be inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame this fall.

Hughes, a six-time CFL all-star, led the league in sacks over five seasons – two with the Riders – and won Grey Cups with the Calgary Stampeders in 2008 and 2014.

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“Let’s go!” Hughes exclaimed when Corey Mace, the Riders’ head coach, called him to share the news. “It’s about time!”

The defensive end from Saginaw, Michigan, played for the Riders in 2018, 2019 and 2022, recording 35 of his 136 career sacks while wearing green. In 2019, he was named Saskatchewan’s most-outstanding defensive player.

“A dominant force throughout his career, Hughes registered 33 forced fumbles, three interceptions and three defensive touchdowns in 202 regular-season games,” the Saskatchewan Roughriders said in a statement.

“Two of the touchdowns were scored for Saskatchewan — on fumble returns in 2018 and 2019.”

The 42-year-old defender was also well known for his surfing celebrations, pretending to ride a wave on the turf after sacking the opposing quarterback.

Hughes is to be inducted into the hall of fame at a ceremony in Hamilton on September 17, the team said. He’ll be the 39th former Rider to join the hall, and will be joined by Brandon Banks and Sean Millington at his induction this fall.

The final three members of the hall’s 2026 inductee group will be announced “in the coming weeks,” the Riders noted.