On the field or on guitar, Wolitarsky plays with passion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/09/2021 (1493 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Drew Wolitarsky is a musician and a football player.

So what’s more satisfying: making a diving catch in the Labour Day Classic to silence 33,000-plus Rider fans or getting a standing ovation from an audience after playing a concert?

“I’d say it’s a pretty similar feeling. It’s just sharing your passion and love for something,” said Wolitarsky, who kept busy in 2020 without football by bringing out his guitar and playing curb-side concerts around Winnipeg.

“I think that’s what was cool about this last year is that it reminded me that whatever I do, I can bring that same love and passion for it. If I’m ripping that real guitar or ripping that sideline catch, it’s all the same. It’s what I love to do… I love them both, man.”

The Blue Bombers wide receiver made arguably the play of the game on Sunday in Regina with a diving 28-yard catch in the fourth quarter. Two plays later, quarterback Zach Collaros connected with Nic Demski in the endzone to give Winnipeg a 23-8 lead which ended up being the final score.

“It was kind of a little windy, so it took (the ball) a little bit,” said Wolitarsky. “Honestly, instinctually, I just dove for it and it turned out to be a pretty good catch.”

Wolitarsky jumped up after the play and celebrated with an air guitar, of course.

The 26-year-old wideout was held without a catch two weeks ago against Calgary, but the University of Minnesota product bounced back against Saskatchewan for four catches and a season-high 58 yards in the team’s fourth victory of the season.

“I know how it goes sometimes. The moment you get down or you want to quit, that’s the moment you gotta keep going… I’ve just learned to not be a kid about it and continue to work hard,” he said.

LIEGGHIO STILL THE GUY

Despite signing American kicker Ali Mourtada last week, the Bombers will roll with Canadian rookie Marc Liegghio at placekicker and punter Saturday.

After connecting on all four field goal attempts in the team’s 18-16 win over the Stampeders in Week 4, Liegghio took a step back in Regina as he missed attempts from 56 and 47 yards out. His lone make came from the 37-yard mark.

Mourtada is in town but the former Indoor Football League leg remains in quarantine.

“(Liegghio) had a couple blips in the last game, he’s watched the film and he knows exactly what he did and what he needs to do differently,” said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea. “… I’ve got a lot of confidence in Marc. He’s very accomplished coming into this league and I don’t know that a miss here or there is going to dictate his career.”

BANJO BOWL SOLD OUT

The Blue Bombers announced late Wednesday that Saturday’s annual Banjo Bowl matchup with the Roughriders at IG Field will feature 33,000-plus fans in the stands as the game has officially sold out. It’s the first time the Bombers have had a sellout this season.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @TaylorAllen31