Presented by:
We tend to live in the moment around here. It’s just what we do as part of our process.
It’s about today’s meetings, today’s practice and today’s workout and that’s why we fixate so much on going 1-0 each week. People may roll their eyes at that because we say it a ton, but it works for us.
Having said that…
Let me say games like our Western Final matchup with the Saskatchewan Roughriders this weekend, these are the ones you really remember.
Funny thing is, I even vividly remember the ones I didn’t play in, like in 2011 at the old stadium when the Blue Bombers beat Hamilton in the East Final. I was in university then and I got Eddie Steele’s tickets to the game because he was with the Tiger-Cats, and he used to coach me in the offseason.
I remember that game being cold. I had three pairs of socks on but still had borderline frostbite. And it was all so awesome. We were in the top deck of the old building, and I remember walking around that circular ramp to get up there. I loved that old stadium because I had so many memories there from playing in it when I was younger and watching games in there.
We were talking about these big games like this with the receiver group earlier this week. Some of the guys are new and so we brought up the 2019 West Final where we played in Sask and won before winning the Grey Cup.
And then there was the 2021 game against the Riders here when everything went wrong for our offence in the first half of that game, and we still battled through it. The defence had our backs, and we were able to pull through and win that game. That game was crazy cold because it was played in December.
I still remember clearly in my head time ticking down and we ended the game with a knee. I was waving my arms in the air to try and pump up the crowd, but I also took a second to look at Andrew with a nod that we’re going back to the Grey Cup.
That was one I’ll always remember because we were coming out of a tough time as a whole nation — the whole world, really — after COVID and to be able to make the city proud is amazing.
That’s why it’s still a vivid memory for me, because I remember taking that time to look around me and seeing how many people are yelling and, on their feet, giving us our kudos.
It’s just special to see an entire stadium so happy like that. I thought it was loud during the game, but when Zach took that final knee, it was deafening. That’s what playing at home in the playoffs is all about.
The last two have been special, too. In ’22, B.C. had all that hype, and we got it done. Then there was the win against them again last year. That was big, too.
What we were talking about in our receiver group this week was now making our own memories this weekend.
Those of us who have played in these games before were saying about how special they are. Every time I remember stepping onto the field for a West Final it still gives me chills. I mean, I’m getting chills right now thinking about it.
Nothing else happening that day matters. You’re at that game and you’re in that zone where your mind shuts off every outside noise. The only thing you focus on is going out there to play for your teammates and the city because you do see the impact the fans have on that game.
One of my favourite parts of home game days, especially for the last few Western Finals, is driving up on game day. I usually show up about 2-2 1/2 hours before the game and you see all these fans tailgating and all these fans in their Bomber jerseys gathering around the stadium. To see them getting there before I’m even getting to the stadium is remarkable. I just love that.
I’m from here and grew up with friends who were huge Bomber fans and knowing families who are huge Bomber fans. You get that understanding of how a Bomber home game is almost like a holiday for them. Families are there to get their tailgate on, to enjoy the game and then talk about it afterward on the whole way home. It’s a real thing.
To be from here and know what the Blue Bombers mean to this community and how we can do our part by giving them exciting games and winning games, too, is amazing.
Home field advantage is a real thing, especially here where we get true sellouts. They track the amount of time count penalties by the visiting teams on the scoreboard, and you can see them scrambling sometimes before a snap because of all the noise.
All those details can matter, especially in a playoff game and can change the outcome of the game.
We’ve been dominant at home for a while now, although we lost at home this year three times and that’s definitely more than what our fans are used to now. I think about that last home game and that loss against Toronto — we owe our fans after that one.
We’re ready to come back out and put on a show. And make some more memories, too.
