Bombers’ Bryant besting Father Time

Stanley Bryant has been asked countless questions about his age over the years.

How do you continue to play at such a high level? Did you consider retiring? How does your body feel? What keeps you going?

Yeah, the soon-to-be 40-year-old left tackle has heard it all. And after signing a one-year contract extension with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers earlier this week, the most decorated offensive lineman in CFL history knew he was in for another round of age-related questioning in Tuesday’s Zoom call with reporters.

“It’s cool. I deal with it. I’ll be 40 in a couple months so I’ll be looking for something from you guys. May 7, by the way, so put that in your calendar,” joked Bryant from his home in Charlotte, N.C.

“But no, answering the age questions is no issue. I think it’s a good thing that I’m able to have this conversation and be able to play at the age of 40. You never know, it can inspire someone to want to continue whatever they’re doing.”

Father Time remains undefeated but Bryant is taking him into the later rounds and putting up one hell of a fight.

Last year was Bryant’s 10th season in Winnipeg — 15th overall in the CFL — and he was named the team’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman nominee for a seventh time (2017-22, 2024-25). The four-time winner of the league award (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022) is still one of the best in the three-down loop and will be one of just four players who are 40-plus years old in 2026 with quarterback Trevor Harris (Saskatchewan) and kickers René Paredes (Calgary) and Sean Whyte (B.C.) being the others.

“My fuel is honestly just knowing and believing that I can still play the game. That’s always been my mindset,” said Bryant.

“Someone told me before that football is one of those things that once you’re done you can’t play it again. Basketball, baseball… you can go join an intramural league and have fun with your buddies, but football is one of those things you can’t say you’re going to go out and play once you’re done.”

So, what’s the secret? Bryant must have some advice for up-and-comers who aspire to play as long as he has.

“Honestly, I would tell them I don’t have the answer. It’s just one of those things I can’t really describe or have the blueprint or try to explain to someone to get to the age of 40 to play,” said Bryant.

“But if someone had asked me that, I’d say, ‘Get on your knees and say a prayer my brother.’”

He had no interest in testing free agency but he did feel he needed some time to contemplate whether or not he wanted to sign up for the grind of another season.

“I couldn’t leave some of my guys hanging, like Paddy (Neufeld) and Zach (Collaros) — I still want to go play with those guys and compete and go out there and try to win games and Grey Cups,” said Bryant.

The Bombers have clearly shown they still believe their current core can get them back to another Grey Cup as the club has signed almost all of their major pending free agents at this point. Only a few intriguing names like receivers Dalton Schoen (who is coming off back-to-back ACL tears) and Keric Wheatfall, defensive end James Vaughters, and corner Demerio Houston remain unsigned.

The communication window opens Feb. 1 before the market officially opens for business on Feb. 10.

“I know we kind of took a dip last year and it wasn’t up to everyone’s standard with how we play and how the season ended, but that’s OK,” said Bryant.

“We just have to turn that page and get started. It’s a new year, new season, new team. We all know what the end goal is and where we want to be.”

And, of course, it only makes sense to close with one of those questions he’s been asked over and over again: Will this upcoming season be the final one in his Hall of Fame career?

“For the last three, four years I’ve been saying it’s a year-to-year thing for me,” responded Bryant.

“I think this year will also be the same thing, just a year-to-year thing… But I could be like Benjamin Button, though. I could reverse the aging and get younger and younger. So, we’ll see how that goes.”

BOMBERS LOCK UP ANOTHER VET, SIGN PAIR OF PROSPECTS

Linebacker Kyrie Wilson is returning for a ninth season with the Blue Bombers.

The veteran defender from California inked a one-year contract extension Monday.

The 33-year-old recorded 49 defensive tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles last season and has suited up in 73 career games for the Blue and Gold.

The Bombers also signed two American rookies on Monday in linebacker Brandon Bouyer-Randle and offensive lineman Micah Mazzccua.

Bouyer-Randle heads up north after spending time on several NFL practice rosters between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders and Cleveland Browns. He finished his time in the NCAA at Connecticut in 2022 where he made 98 tackles (34 solo, 64 assists), eight tackles for a loss, one sack, two interceptions, and one forced fumble in 13 games (10 starts) for the Huskies.

Mazzccua started his college career at Baylor before playing at Florida for a year and then finishing up at Nebraska in 2024 where he started three out of the nine games he appeared in.

winnipegfreepress.com/taylorallen