Ford’s homecoming of sorts

Don’t ask Tyrell Ford to be your Winnipeg tour guide.

“This doesn’t really feel like Winnipeg because I was never really downtown,” said the former Blue Bombers defensive back, shortly after checking in at The Fairmont with his current club: the Edmonton Elks (0-2). They’re in town to take on the Blue and Gold (2-0) Thursday night at 7:30 p.m.

“I lived really close to the (University of Manitoba campus), so everything was kind of in that little section for me, so it doesn’t really feel like I’m back yet.”

It’ll hit him once he’s standing on the field at Princess Auto Stadium in front of 30,000-plus fans in what’s expected to be a seventh consecutive sellout.

Ford spent two seasons in Winnipeg after the team drafted him in the second round, 13th overall, in the 2022 CFL Draft out of Waterloo. After pursuing an NFL opportunity with the Green Bay Packers in 2023, Ford returned to the Bombers last year in a big way by finishing second in the league with seven interceptions.

He was open to re-signing with the Bombers in the off-season, but the 27-year-old from Niagara Falls, Ont., didn’t receive the offer he was hoping for until the day before the free agency window opened. At that point, he figured he might as well test the free-agency waters, and the Elks stepped up by offering him a two-year deal worth $230,000 in hard money for this season.

If Winnipeg made their final offer earlier, would things have turned out differently?

“I would say, yeah,” Ford admitted. “I think it was maybe a week or two before when they kind of came in and slowly worked their way up. They kind of knew where my head was at, I kinda told them what I wanted and they kind of didn’t get to that point until the end.”

In addition to a nice payday, signing with the Elks also meant a reunion with his twin brother, quarterback Tre Ford.

“Definitely a big reason why I ended up here, especially with him having all these kids, I get to be the cool uncle which is pretty awesome. He has two now, but I think he wants a whole bunch,” said Ford.

“And, I’ve had a good two or three years in the CFL, you know, pretty successful, where he’s kind of been on the other side of that so I’m kind of trying to help him out with that, too.”

He’s also tried to be an extra help this week by giving Tre some inside info.

“He’s tried to give me a few tips here and there, mostly just who players are. Winnipeg’s scheme is their scheme, I think most people know what they do, it’s just a hard scheme to beat,” said Tre Ford, who is 0-3 in his career against the Bombers.

“We’re trying to dial some stuff up and you know, I’m feeling confident going into the game.”

Even though the Bombers look like they haven’t missed a beat without Ford, his departure was a major loss. It’s a luxury for a team to be able to play a Canadian at the corner position.

“One thing about this sport is it’s never the same people in the building as last year. It’s tough, but that’s how the game goes,” said Bombers corner Deatrick Nichols.

“He did his part, but that’s one thing we pride our defence on is just doing your job and when the stats come, the stats come. He had an amazing year with seven picks, so, he did put a stamp on what he did… But, we’re going to stay sound and play our game.”

Ford has nine tackles this summer, but is still searching for his first interception in green and gold. Getting his first one against his old team would be pretty special, but either way, he’s looking forward to testing his skills against Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros for the first time.

“He can manipulate you with his eyes. Even sometimes when he throws, it’ll look like he’s throwing deep but he’s really throwing short. He’s obviously a playmaker,” said Ford.

“I definitely got him a couple times last year, but he also got me in practice. I’m excited for one, to play in front of everyone again, all 30,000 fans, it’s loud and it’s hectic. But I’m also excited to play with my new team and take a step forward.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca