Regina Native Mitch Picton Retires After Nine Seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Regina native Mitch Picton, a former member of the Grey Cup-winning Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2025, has decided to retire from his professional football career after playing nine seasons with the CFL team he grew up supporting. Picton, who was drafted by Saskatchewan in the fifth round of the 2017 CFL Canadian Draft, had a successful career with the Green and White, catching 96 passes for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns in 64 regular-season games. He was also known for his off-field contributions as a Player Ambassador for the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation.
Picton's connection with the Roughriders was evident early on when he caught two touchdown passes from his cousin, Noah, in the inaugural football game at the new Mosaic Stadium. He also played a significant role in the University of Regina Rams' victory over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in a test event at the state-of-the-art facility in 2016. Picton spent five seasons with the Rams, where he excelled as a receiver, earning accolades such as Canada West All-Star and First-Team All-Canadian.
After his time with the Rams, Picton joined the Roughriders' practice roster and eventually made his CFL regular-season debut in 2019. Over the years, he continued to make significant contributions to the team, including a career-high 25 receptions in 2021 and a personal-best 232 receiving yards in 2023. Picton's dedication to the Roughriders extended beyond the field, as he actively participated in community initiatives such as the Rider Reading program and Win With Wellness to promote literacy and mental health awareness among youth in the province.
Throughout his career, Picton's commitment to the Roughriders and the community has been unwavering. His retirement marks the end of a successful chapter in his football journey, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and community involvement that will be remembered by fans and teammates alike.