Winnipeg Free Press

So I’m sitting in the sun with sandals, shorts, short-sleeved shirt and a cold one in hand in my home state of California.

It’s about 60 F and just lovely out. It’s crazy how one week can take a person so far away from one existence to another. The Grey Cup and the season already feel so distance.

It was a great run we had this year. There were ups and downs, good times and bad, but all in all it was an amazing year. We accomplished a lot as individuals and as a team.

We made it all the way through the season with a winning record, battled through the playoffs and made it to the big show.

Obviously we would have liked to come out of the season with the cup in Winnipeg, but that’s not the reality. We can look back and think about what could have happened, but it won’t change anything.

All we can do is store the memories — good and bad — and learn from them.

Hopefully in the future we can apply them to our lives and our careers and become better people and players.

I’m grateful for my time in Winnipeg playing for the Bombers. I don’t know what the future will hold for me in the coming months and into next year. I do know that I loved being a Bomber and a part of what I consider to be the best community in Canada.

I thank you all for your support and love. Thank you to everyone who took the time to check out my photos and read my blog. Thanks to all the fans for coming out and supporting us in the Peg and all over Canada.

A special thanks to the Free Press for giving me this creative outlet. Thanks to Ed Tait and Paul Pihichyn for hooking me up with this gig and editing all my shoddy spelling.

I could go on forever, but it would take all day. The Peg is a special place in the world and I will always have a place in my heart for your city.

I have to apologize that there aren’t any of my photos this week. My computer, with all my photos from my last week in the Peg, crashed. So now I’m in the process of removing the hard drive and retrieving all my work. Cross your fingers that I can get all of it back. (We’ve added a few pictures of Tom in action during and before the Grey Cup — Editor.)
I have about seven hours until I have to decide whether I’m going to go through with my trip to Honduras. Last night I got a call from a photography company in Whistler, B.C., that I had applied for earlier this year. They offered me a job, so now I’m kind of torn between the mountains and the river.

I’ve also been asked to continue my blog into the off-season. I will try my best to post as often as I can, so check in from time to time. Whether I end up in the jungle or the snow will definitely affect my ability to file, but I’ll try my best.

Again I love you all and thanks again for all your support. Take care and good luck.

Pura Vida
TC #44

Today is the “Day of the Dance”, the “Big Show”, or however you call it. It’s the biggest game I’ve ever played in and I’m stoked to be here.

Yesterday we had our last official practice/walk through. The Hat Day, as we call it, is a mellow practice where we go over the little details in preparation for the game.

We had our regular meetings in the morning in which we looked at film of the Riders to fine tune. As they say, “the hay is in the is the barn” and all the practice and prep is over.

We’ve watched all the film we need to watch and done all that we can do. What it all comes down to now is getting on the field and kicking some butt.

Everyone in the media doesn’t give us a chance. We like it that way! It’s been like that most of the year and today we plan to prove everyone wrong.

This morning in TO is was like a ghost town. It was nice, I took a walk around 11 and nobody was on the street.

It was most likely because they were still in bed, hungover from the night before. Or it was just the quiet before the storm? (Probably the hangover.)

I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been following my blog this week. I appreciate your comments and your encouragement. I’ve passed your messages on to the boys.
If you are here in TO, thanks for coming. If you’re back in the Peg, we can feel your energy and spirit from here. GO BOMBERS!!!!!

Pura Vida
TC#44

On Day Three we finally got a bit of a break from the hustle and bustle. We had the early practice and got off the field around noon.

Practice went well. It was crisp and clean and closed out our live workouts for the week and the season.

It’s weird when practice is going on because you think: “Man this is the last team period of the year”. Then when special teams comes up you think: “Man this is the last special teams of the year”. It kind of gives you a funny feeling in your gut. I tend to get those types of feelings when change is about to occur.

We didn’t have anything after practice until meetings at 4:45, which gave us some much needed down time.

I pretty much shut it down, got off my feet, listened to some music and burned some scented candles in the room. I did make it over to the MEC to get some river sandals for my winter job in Honduras. Man is was freaking cold out that day.

I walked, and I was frozen, so in addition to my sandals I picked up gloves and a big hoody. After meetings we had nothing until the following morning.

It was crazy in and around the hotel so I bundled up and went for walk down to the lake shore.

There wasn’t a lot going on down there and it was fairly quiet, it was great! I stumbled across a restaurant called Pier 41. I thought they might have some good fish and chips, so I checked it out.

Inside were five older, obviously wealthy, people — two couple and another man. I was trying not to listen into their conversation, but it was hilarious. The were fighting over whether the Blue Bombers were from Edmonton or Calgary.
They had obviously had a few to many and I had nothing else to entertain me, so I just let them fight. Finally the bartender let them know the we were from Manitoba, and they still persisted. It was pretty funny.
After the fish and chips I went over to support the Manitoba Bisons and the CIS championship. It was at the Rogers Centre and the Bisons will bring home the cup. Hopefully we can return the favour and show Canada that Manitoba football is for real.

Pura Vida
TC#44

The second full day out here was a freaking LONG day.
It started around 8 am. We had the media breakfast which was designed to introduce the team to the members of the media. Milt Stegall and our snapper, Chris Cvetkovic, called out the names of each player.

It was pretty funny because Milt was roasting everyone he announced and Chris does a great Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was entertaining, but the interviews seemed to last forever.

A bunch of guys didn’t get a chance to get much food, because by the time they were done with the media it was scarce.

After the breakfast we started our regular day, if you can call it that. We had meetings then out to Rogers Centre for practice.

It was a great practice and we worked hard. I think it had a lot to do with the fact we were awake.

After practice me and a few other guys had to do some work for CBC. They wanted us to do a little something for the pre-game show in front of a green screen.

It was fun and I have to say Jerome Haywood really impressed me with his acting ability( you’ll see).

Dinwiddie on the other hand, not so much. After the CBC thing we had about 30 minutes until our next team meeting, so we hustled to get some food and got to eat while watching film.

After that we had about an hour to kill until the bus left for CFL Player Awards. The award ceremony was a really neat deal. All of the top players that were voted by the league’s coaches and the media were there.

The awards were hosted by Dan Akroyd which was pretty cool. I’m a big fan of the Blues Brothers. The reason Akroyd hosted was because the award ceremony was in honour of John Candy. If you didn’t know, he was an owner of the Argos many years ago.

As far as the awards went, we got kind of robbed. Milt and Charles Roberts both won there categories, but Dan Goodspeed, Kevin Glenn, and Doug Brown got the shaft.

It was a cool event and it was the moment for me when I realized we really ARE at the Grey Cup. The butterflies have started stirring as thousands of fans start to pour into town.

Well that’s it for today. I need to take a nap.

Pura Vida
TC#44

So our first day in TO was long and crazy. We had to get up super early because we had the morning practice on Day One. The wake up call hit at 7:45 (which was 6:45 back home). I wish they had a snooze button on the phone.

We really didn’t know how things were going to go down as far as the schedule was concerned. It was kind of frantic until we got into meetings and got a hang of the routine. Practice was focused, but the guys are definitely saving their energy for the big day. It was a jungle on the field. TV cameras everywhere filming every move we made. Every pass and catch during practice was illuminated by flashing cameras.

After the practice I had kind of a funny thing happen. Off The Record asked me to come on their show with some of the other guys. So we walk up into some random corner of the Rogers Centre to their studio.

They sat us in this little waiting room where they began to put make-up on the guys. About 10 minutes into the wait one of the producers asked me to come into the hallway. He said they only had room for four players and the wanted to bump me off the show. I smiled and said “no worries” because I really didn’t care.

Then during the show I got an apology from like every member of the staff, along with some Keg gift cards. I was just happy with the food in the waiting room. I guess we all can’t be big time in the Big Smoke.
After that ordeal we got a ride back to our hotel in a stretch Navigator. It would have taken like two minutes to walk. Instead we spent 20 minutes in traffic sitting in that limo. But hey I wasn’t complaining.

After meetings I took a nap and later in the evening went and hit up some sushi. If you are ever in Toronto and want some good sushi go to Blowfish. It is super pricey and small portions but the fish was on point. After that we went to a pub and played Guitar Hero with some Blue Bomber fans. It was a fun, exciting, long day and I couldn’t wait to hit the sack

Pura Vida
TC#44

We are on our way to the Grey Cup. I’ve been here in TO for the last 24 hours and I already need a nap. It’s wild here.

From interviews to practice to TV shows and autographs, it’s been crazy. I understand now why people worry about the guys staying focused.

But we are here, back in TO after by beating up on the Argos last Sunday.
You can feel a bit of tension from the locals here, because we were the nail in the coffin that sent their boys packing. But hey victory is sweet… and we earned it.

Most of you know that some of the guys from TO were slinging a little mud at our offence. Something was said about us not scoring 10 points.

It seem pretty ironic to me that they only scored 9 point and we hit 11 in the first quarter. It just goes to show that talking trash isn’t always the smartest thing to do. 

It’s weird how the universe has its own checks and balances. It seems like every time someone makes a big noise in the media it ends up hurting them in the end. But we came out with the win that is sending us the the big dance. 

Unfortunately we came out of the game without a healthy Kevin Glenn. As much as it hurts not to have Kev at QB, Ryan Dinwiddie is a hell of a player and I have every bit of confidence in him. The guys prepares every week like he’s going to be the starter. He takes shadow reps behind Kev on every play in practice. 

He’s very confident and I’m excited to see what he can do on Sunday. 

 This blog is dedicated to Kevin Glenn. He is a big part of why we are here and will be missed. Love you bro.

I also wanted to thank everyone who stayed up past their bedtime on Sunday and came out to the airport to greet us when we got back. It’s was overwelming the welcome we received and made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. 

Pura Vida
TC#44

So we did it, kind of…. We advanced to the East Final by the skin of our teeth.

I have to be honest there were times in the game when we heard rumblings of packing our bags and making fight arrangements home. Maybe the Dalai Lama’s blessing had something to do with it. Maybe it was just a great team effort.

However it happened, it did, and now we have to head out to face the Argos in Toronto.
There was a lot of talk prior to last Sunday’s game about the lack of ticket sales. It obviously wasn’t a sellout crowd. However from our persepective it was one of the most intense and loudest crowds we have had all year. So if you made it out, we all thank you for your passion.

If you didn’t make, it we understand. We know you were there in spirit. Hopefully our journey to the Big Smoke is one of two games we play there in the next two weeks, but that all depends on this Sunday.

It’s been an exciting week for the team around Bomberland. There has been a buzz in the locker room and on the field. I can feel it in the air that something special is going to happen.

We know that you all can’t make it to Toronto, but make sure you catch the game on TV, and cheer so loud from home we can hear you out there.

Pura Vida
TC#44

Hello everyone. Sorry I haven’t written in awhile. I guess I’ve been in kind of a funk since our last game. Not to get overly sentimental, but having to sit out of last week’s game put a weird spin on life. I’ve NEVER in the 16-plus years that I’ve played football missed a game due to injury.
I missed one game in high school because a guy punched me in the family jewels. (I won’t mention what I did to cause the guy’s reaction.)
It’s was difficult but I think now that my shoulder in fine and I’m back in the lineup, the funk has passed.
This week the playoff buzz has been really obvious in the locker room. It’s a weird time because of the year we’ve had. You can’t really plan too far in advance. You’re never really sure if you’ll be packing up and leaving the following week.
But I will assure you that I haven’t boxed anything yet. I definitely plan to be here for a few more weeks. It’s nice to have the regular season over and know that it’s all or nothing every game.
This week’s semi-final should be an intense game. From what I understand, we’ve been slacking a bit on ticket sales. What’s up folks? Don’t you want to see the boy kick some butt this Sunday?

I understand that this weekend is an important time to remember fallen soldiers. I come from a military family, so I know that this Sunday could be a conflict of interest. But if you could come, even in the second half, the team would really appreicate it. We really need your support. If you can’t make we understand; you’ll just have to catch next week in TO.

Pura Vida
TC#44

For us, the game in Toronto sucked last week.

We didn’t get it done when we needed it most. It was a terrible night all the way around the board.

I usually try to find the positive in these types of situations. I’ve been racking my brain and have yet to come up with anything. But what’s done is done. We’ve lost control of our first place spot and a first week bye.

Now we have to do something I never thought we would do in the Peg — cheer for the Saskatchewan Roughriders? I think there should be a new rule that if you hold first place for X amount of weeks you get the first round bye. I know that’s kind of a cop out, because we should have won anyway, but it is what it is.

I won’t sit here and say that any one part of our team was at fault. We are a team and we win as a team and lose as a team. So once again we have a short week in which we have to bounce back after a tough loss.

We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again. It’s a little different for me this week because I messed up my shoulder. I’ve never been hurt before so I’m kind of freaking out.

I’m not sure what to do some of the time so I’m running on instincts. It’s crazy when you get hurt. People look at you different. Some people are really supportive and others avoid you like the plague. However I’m confident that as long as I don’t get the big “No” from the boss that I’ll be out there full force on Friday.
Bundle up and get out to the stadium for our first real winter game. It should be exciting, so we’ll see you on the field.

P.S.

I wanted to mention that I got a job this off-season in Honduras as a raft guide. It’s with a company called Omega Tours. If anyone is interested in coming down and having me guide you down some wild jungle rivers this winter, leave a comment and I get you in touch with the right people.
Pura Vida
TC#44

Ok, so we’ve lost the last two. B.C. gave us a bit of a whopping and Calgary jumped on us early and we didn’t recover.

It’s just crazy to me how quick everything can change up here. A few weeks ago it felt like we were on top of the world.

Now. even though we are still in first, it does not feel that way at all. The media has been pretty harsh and coaches and fans — everybody is calling for changes.

This is the part of this job that can get a bit nerve racking.

It’s hard to explain, but just imagine in your job, if you screwed up a report or your numbers weren’t right or anything normal that can go wrong in your job went wrong.

Then the next day you had to read about how your screwing up effected your workplace in the newspaper, and there might be some new employees coming to to fix the problem.
It’s not like we try to lose. I don’t know a player out there who doesn’t try their best every play of every game.

We work our butts off all year and we lose a couple games and most people forget what we’ve accomplished up to this point.

Bottom line is that it isn’t how you start up here, it’s how you finish. I guess it really doesn’t matter if we were in first all year, if we don’t finish there. Well enough of the negative.

This week was a short week we only had two day to prepare for the rematch. So practice was pretty light, but focused. It’s the tail end of the season and practice, although it is important, starts to get toned down.
This Friday’s game is super important for us and we will need everyone’s support. Please come out to the game with a positive vibration and send some of that energy to the field. It should be a good game. We’ll see you on the field.

Pura Vida
TC#44