Family of Saskatchewan Roughrider Dalke thanks supporters after fatal highway crash

REGINA — The family of a Saskatchewan Roughrider player killed in a highway crash says he was deeply loved and will be missed beyond words.

They say in a statement that they are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from everyone who knew Jayden Dalke.

RCMP have said the 30-year-old linebacker was driving on the wrong side of a divided highway near Regina on Saturday, when he smashed into another vehicle.

Dalke and the other driver, 22-year-old Bhishma Rajyaguru, died at the scene.

The player’s family also offered condolences to Rajyaguru’s family and to emergency responders affected by the crash.

They ask anyone wishing to honour Dalke to make a donation to the CFL team’s charity.

“Jayden gave generously to his community and the organizations he cared about,” the family said in a statement Friday.

“In lieu of flowers or gifts, we ask that donations be made to the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation in his memory.

“We thank the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Rider Nation for their love and support.”

Dalke was from Leduc, Alta., while Rajyaguru came to Canada from India as an international student in 2022 and was living in Regina.

The Roughriders paid tribute to both men at the team’s home game against the Edmonton Elks on Thursday.

The team has shared a GoFundMe page for Rajyaguru’s family, which had raised more than $93,000 as of Friday afternoon, to cover the cost of repatriating his body to India.

Dalke’s family ended the statement asking for privacy, “as we grieve this unimaginable loss.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2026.

The Canadian Press