All’s fair in football and family Michael O’Shea facing uphill battle in quest for spot on team coached by father By: Taylor Allen Posted: 7:00 PM CDT Wednesday, May. 10, 2023

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This article was published 10/05/2023 (851 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It came as a shock to many when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed receiver Michael O’Shea — the son of head coach Mike O’Shea — on Monday.

It’s not that Michael isn’t a good player, it’s because of what Mike said prior to last week’s CFL Draft about the possibility of having his son coming on board.

“I don’t know that that would be really fair to anybody involved: my son, the players on this team, the coaches. I don’t know that that would be in anybody’s best interest but I don’t know. I can’t say one way or another,” O’Shea told a 3DownNation reporter. “My responsibility lies with our football team first and foremost in terms of that coaching hat. The dad side? I just want to see him keep playing as long as he can.”

“My responsibility lies with our football team first and foremost in terms of that coaching hat. The dad side? I just want to see him keep playing as long as he can.”–Mike O’Shea

Although Michael didn’t hear his name called on draft night, he was given an opportunity and was catching passes in a No. 76 uniform on Wednesday at IG Field for the opening day of Bombers rookie camp.

Training camp begins Sunday. The Blue and Gold play their first preseason game on May 27 in Edmonton against the Elks.

So, what changed?

“A lot of discussions, right? I talked to some players, talked to coaches, talked to the staff, talked to (receivers coach) Kevin Bourgoin who’s going to have to coach him, and asked them what they think,” Coach O’Shea said after practice.

“And to a man, they were ‘Is he a good football player? Bring him in.’”

In terms of size and speed, 6-foot, 183-pounder isn’t going to jump off the page, but Michael has proven to be a good player. After winning a pair of Winnipeg High School Football League championships at St. Paul’s, he took his talents to his father’s alma matter: the University of Guelph. After two seasons without much playing time, Michael transitioned to the junior game and joined the British Columbia Football Conference’s (BCFC) Okanagan Sun. Michael turned a lot of heads last season, as he was named a CJFL first-team All-Canadian as a return specialist and named to the second-team as a receiver. In addition to his national recognition, Michael was voted the BCFC’s Outstanding Special Teams Player of the Year.

“Everyone takes a different path to get to the league sometimes, and mine was all over,” said Michael.

“You learn a lot. You get a lot of different coaching experiences from different coaches and stuff. So lots of different learning experiences.”

It shouldn’t be a surprise to see another O’Shea excel on special teams. In addition to being a dominant linebacker in his 16-year CFL career, Mike — who served as special teams co-ordinator of the Toronto Argonauts for four seasons before being hired by the Bombers — was well-known for his effort on special teams.

It will be an uphill battle for Michael to make the team, or even land a spot on the practice roster, but if he does, it’ll likely come down to what he can contribute on the third unit.

“Yeah, specials is always important, especially in the Canadian game. Did that come through my dad? Yeah, probably, at the start,” said Michael.

“Most Canadian players realize how important special teams are to the game, and how the game goes, like field positioning and stuff like that. So I think most Canadian guys get that.”

As you’d expect, Michael downplayed the significance of getting a shot at playing pro football on a team coached by his father.

“I’m just glad that I got an opportunity to play in the CFL. Obviously, there’s something special there. But for right now I’m just focusing on trying to make the team and not worrying about that personal relationship,” said Michael.

“I’m just coming out here, giving it my all and trying to make the team. Just act like every other regular player. He’s coach right now. Not dad.”

“I’m just coming out here, giving it my all and trying to make the team. Just act like every other regular player. He’s coach right now. Not dad.”–Michael O’Shea

Mike admitted it’s pretty cool to have his 23-year-old son in camp, but assures there will be no special treatment. Other Canadian receivers that are fighting to make the roster might not see it that way.

“I don’t know if there’s anything you can say. If they don’t know you, they don’t know you, right? It’s up to every coach to develop a relationship with the guys that are here and I think the track record speaks (for itself). I don’t know if anyone is going to challenge our integrity here,” said Mike.

“It’s up to every coach to develop a relationship with the guys that are here and I think the track record speaks (for itself). I don’t know if anyone is going to challenge our integrity here.”–Mike O’Shea

For many parents, watching their child follow in their footsteps and share the same passion would be a dream come true. That may also ring true for Mike, but that wasn’t his message on Wednesday.

“If he had been passionate about something else, I’d be just as excited for him. If your kid finds something they’re passionate about, as a parent, I think you just enjoy watching unfold,” said Mike.

“Whatever that is, as long as it’s legal.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31