20°c Partly cloudy
10°c Light rain
Blue Bomber Report Record: 6–12–0
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Bomber hopeful grateful for a second chance
Cory Watson makes a circus catch on Wednesday in cool , windy conditions while being covered by Deon Beasley during the Blue Bomber Mini Camp at Canad Inn Stadium. (KEN GIGLIOTTI/ WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
Related Items
A public acceptance from roster hopeful Jordan Matechuk wrapped up a hectic first day of Blue Bombers mini camp Wednesday.
The Winnipeg resident is on a tryout with the CFL club, looking to get back to a football career as a long snapper/fullback after running into legal troubles in 2011. Matechuk was found to be in possession of 543 anabolic steroid pills, 262 millilitres of anabolic steroids in liquid form, 1.25 grams of marijuana, 19 syringes and 51 replacement needles at the Canada-U.S. border prior to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats training camp last season.
The Ticats released him and he pleaded guilty to the felony and misdemeanor charges. Matechuk was sentenced to 90 days of prison time last September, serving 60 of those behind bars.
The Bombers offered the player another opportunity to play football, a chance the 26-year-old was grateful for Wednesday.
"I’d like to thank the Blue Bombers in giving me a second chance in my football career," Matechuk said, admitting to reporters he’s been suffering from depression for the last two and a half years.
"It’s really humbling. I’ve made mistakes in my life and fortunately I was able to learn from those mistakes. I really love football… this is my life."
"The things that happened to me, I did them to myself," he continued.
"I live with depression, I suffer from the mental illness of depression, and I used steroids and marijuana as part of a coping mechanism to make me feel better.
"I went off my medication when I shouldn’t of. I’m with my doctor now working hard and we’re on the same page, and we’re all working together with the Bomber family."
Matechuk, who said going public with his depression was a big step in his recovery, approached the Bombers for the opportunity in the off-season and the club took him up on the offer, signing the former Winnipeg Rifle to a deal in February. The club believes Matechuk is genuine in his regret over what happened a year ago.
"He’s a good kid who made a mistake," Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice said. "I’m sure he’s going to fix it."
On a day when veteran centre Obby Khan retired -- an announcement that took players by surprise -- the Bombers added two more players to the off-season roster signing import receiver Chris Matthews and non-import offensive lineman Will Henry. Both players were on the field Wednesday.
Players on the camp roster not in attendance for Day 1 at Canad Inns Stadium were quarterback Joey Elliott (quad injury) and running back Chad Simpson (travel issue). Both are expected to participate Thursday.
More Bomber Report
- Back to Top
- Return to Bomber Report
More Bomber Report
(1 of 6 articles for this month)
Blue Bombers axe Green, Matechuk and Yenga
1:00 AM 0THE Winnipeg Blue Bombers have trimmed their roster just over one week before the opening of training camp.
Cut adrift on ...
Poll
Most Popular Bomber Report
- Bombers cut Green, Yenga, Matechuk
- Blue Bombers axe Green, Matechuk and Yenga
- Buck 'goes long' for Winnipeg
- Big Blue will have one helluva punter
- Argos release ex-Bomber Brink
- Goodbye phone call upended QB's plans
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Man with no plan tries again
- Bombers training camp opens June 2
- Grudge matches against 'the Buono' unwise
- Big Blue will have one helluva punter
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Buck 'goes long' for Winnipeg
- Bombers cut Green, Yenga, Matechuk
- Argos release ex-Bomber Brink
- Blue Bombers axe Green, Matechuk and Yenga
- Bombers training camp opens June 2
- Goodbye phone call upended QB's plans
- Blue sign draft picks Fitzgerald, Pavlopoulos
- Man with no plan tries again
- Bombers detail parking plan for new stadium
- Bomber boozers will change or they 'won't be here': GM Mack
- Hall turning heads at Bomber mini-camp
- Bombers are watching you
- CFL draft pick Mulumba would be proud to be a Bomber
- Bomber security to wave wands this season
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Bomber GM silent on Tebow's CFL prospects
- Packers prospect a risky pick
- Big Blue will have one helluva punter
- Buck 'goes long' for Winnipeg
- Argos release ex-Bomber Brink
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Bombers detail parking plan for new stadium
- Buck 'goes long' for Winnipeg
- Bombers tackle parking issue
- Game ball to tour communities before grand opening of new Bomber stadium
- Hall, Clement go to school
- Blue Bombers board of directors accepting nominations
- Bomber security to wave wands this season
- Bombers handing off opening-day ball to fans
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Bombers GM agrees with coach: players need to act like pros
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.