Hair's fair game for CFL tacklers

'It's all good,' says Argos return specialist Grant, who has had dreadlocks since middle school

- GILBERT NGABO

Having long hair or dreadlocks might be a style or part of someone’s identity. But if you are a football player, it can prove costly on the field.

Argos punt returner Janarion Grant was a victim of some hairpulling, entirely legal, during a game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week when Riders defensive back Jayden Dalke grabbed Grant’s long dreadlocks and pulled him to the ground.

The takedown looked as though it was painful to Grant, who had to twist his neck around before going down. But he has been in that situation several times and says he has gotten used to it.

“I feel the yanking though,” he said after Thursday’s practice. “It’s all good. I just try not to have too much force against (the defender) because I don’t want to hurt my neck.”