Bombers all business as they prepare for Grey Cup

The Blue Bombers are in B.C. and they’re hoping to come home with the Grey Cup.

“Vancouver is a great city. We are happy to be here, but we have one thing on our mind,” said Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros. 

The blue and gold are set to appear in the 111th Grey Cup this Sunday, but no matter the outcome of the game, the CFL club will be making history, as it is the first team in more than 40 years to make five straight Grey Cup Appearances. 

However, despite the historic trip out west — only four other teams have completed the five-peat — for the Bombers, they say it’s another day at the office. 

“This is work. We’re on a business trip and we are not done yet,” said Brady Oliveira, running back for Winnipeg. 

The Bombers sent the Saskatchewan Roughriders packing this past weekend, with betting odds currently favouring Winnipeg over the Toronto Argonauts to hoist the Grey Cup by week’s end, a surprising turnaround considering the club’s stumbled start of 0-4 at the beginning of the season. 

Bombers’ QB Collaros saying these games mean everything, as the team aims to win its third CFL Championship in five years. 

While it’s become common practice for the team to take to the field in these critical games, winning them has been another story. The team tasted heartbreak in each of the past two trips to the big game, including one to their current opponent in Toronto in 2022.  It’s a streak the blue and gold are determined to snap.

“We all know how that felt the last two grey cups and obviously we want to change that,” said Oliveira. “Again, it’s going to go to what we can control and that is going to be the week of preparation heading into the big game Sunday.”

Having been in this situation before, Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea is worried about his team being prepared ahead of Sunday, but says with the uncertainty that comes with professional sports, his message to the guys on the gridiron has been simple. 

“I want them to enjoy each other for another week,” he said. “If we play well enough, prepare well enough, then they’ll enjoy themselves for a couple extra days when we get home.”