'Hard to process': Bombers reflect on Grey Cup loss, look ahead to future during locker cleanout
With the sting of defeat still fresh in the minds of everyone, Winnipeg Blue Bombers players walked through and cleaned out their locker room Tuesday, reflecting on the season that was.
For a second straight year, the blue and gold came up short in the final game of the season losing in the final minute to the Montreal Alouettes in the Grey Cup 28-24.
"It's still hard to process," said quarterback Zach Collaros. "When you end the season not winning the Grey Cup, you could say it's a failure and try to process it that way."
Collaros said the team had a meeting with Head Coach Mike O'Shea to try to help them through this moment and were reminded about the great people in the locker room and the memories that were made throughout the season.
"He just talked about how much joy he gets coming in every day working with the coaches, working with us, and seeing us put the extra time in. I'm sure he reflects on his time playing and remembers some of those times. So just things like that, but again, it's not easy."
Even with the positive words being shared by the coach, several players expressed they are still feeling sadness from the loss and don't see that emotion going away any time soon.
"It's still hard to get over, but you know, that's football," said defensive end Willie Jefferson.
"That last drive is going to stick with us, everybody that was on the field, everybody on the sideline, coaches. Everybody felt like they could do something better, something different to make the outcome a little better on our end."
'HOPEFULLY, WE CAN MAKE SOMETHING WORK HERE IN WINNIPEG'
Several players are coming to the end of their contracts, which begs the question, will this team be able to bring back the same group?
It's a question that is asked at the end of every season, and all Bombers players are hopeful the team can stick together.
"I think we've done a really good job over the past four years maintaining continuity, and how much can you continue to do that? I think that's obviously the goal," said Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill.
Brady Oliveira is one of those names looking for a new contract. The Winnipegger is coming off a career year that finished with the Most Outstanding Canadian award.
He said he would love to be back in Winnipeg, but also mentioned the NFL is on his mind.
"Ever since I started playing football (I wanted) to play at the highest possible level, right? So the NFL stuff would, of course, be a dream," said Oliveira. "But, I mean, obviously this is where I want to be if the NFL doesn't work out. I want to be here in Winnipeg.
He noted his agent has already been talking to some NFL teams to try and set up some workouts.
"If it's in the books, if it's meant to be, then it will happen and if not, I've got a good position here and hopefully, we can make something happen here in Winnipeg. We'll see how it goes."
Jefferson is someone who will also need a new contract, and while conversations haven't started yet on a new contract, he said he wants to be back in Winnipeg.
"I don't plan on going anywhere, anytime soon. This is where I'm at, this is where I want to be," said Jefferson.
Collaros also weighed in on the conversation. While he is under contract for the next few seasons, he said he offers his own experiences to his teammates when they are looking at their futures in the league.
He said he has played with many organizations but it hasn't always been the best place to be.
"The grass isn't always greener," said Collaros. "It's not a hyperbole when I say to you guys that this is the best organization that I've played for and I feel like I've just been here my entire career."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6978649.1722015109!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.