Third Texada could be just right for Bombers

Rookie defensive back Ridge Texada is the third member of his family to be under contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

His two older brothers, fellow defensive backs Ranthony and Raleigh, were also Bomber hopefuls at one point.

Before going on to play 11 career games between Ottawa and Montreal, Ranthony signed a deal in 2020, but the cancelled season prevented him from suiting up in blue and gold. Fast forward a few years, Raleigh signed ahead of the 2024 campaign before being released midway through training camp.

Their father, Ranthony Sr., was a receiver at Louisiana Tech.

“It’s real cool. It’s kind of a blessing to follow in their footsteps and know they’ve walked these hallways,” Texada told the Free Press after Monday’s training camp session.

“They just told me that it’s going to be tough, it’s going to be hard, and that this coaching staff is going to push you to the limit so you can go out there and be at your best during the season.”

Texada is hopeful that he’ll be the brother that sticks and makes a name for himself in Winnipeg. Considering his performance in Saturday’s 31-27 pre-season loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Saskatoon, he just might.

The 24-year-old out of North Texas got the start at corner and tipped a Jack Coan pass that ended up in the arms of teammate Evan Holm for a 55-yard pick-six. Late in the third, he forced yet another turnover by ripping away a bobbling ball from Riders receiver Daniel Wiebe for an INT of his own.

“They just told me that it’s going to be tough, it’s going to be hard… go out there and be at your best during the season.”

The Bombers have a starting cornerback spot for the taking and Texada could very well be the man for the job.

“Those are big plays and he just keeps on taking in the information and putting it out there in practice and games,” said head coach Mike O’Shea.

“I’d imagine when you’ve got a household like that, you’re always competing, and it shows.”

Growing up in a competitive household isn’t all fun and games when you’re the baby bro, though.

“I remember when I was probably seven or eight years old, I had a hernia and when I came home from surgery, I was using something to help me walk and my brother (Raleigh) came up and pushed me,” said Texada.

“My parents got on him for that. It was funny, though.”

He was pushed literally and figuratively.

“My oldest brother is my biggest critic. After a high school game, I had a sprained ankle and I didn’t have the best game,” said Texada, who grew up in Frisco, Texas.

“… everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve had to earn my spot. And I don’t see nothing wrong with it. It’s more about proving myself right than about anybody else.”

“But my brother, he pulled me into the garage and he got on me. And I didn’t want to hear any of it, but looking back on it now, it was good that he did that to keep pushing me because I didn’t know what I wanted from myself at that time.”

Despite coming from an impressive family, Texada has often been overlooked throughout his career because of his 5-foot-9 frame. Before starting 37 games at North Texas in four seasons, he started his NCAA journey at McNeese State.

“I was underrecruited out of high school, mainly because of my size. I felt like I was one of the best DBs in the country,” he said. “That’s just kind of been the story of my life, just everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve had to earn my spot. And I don’t see nothing wrong with it. It’s more about proving myself right than about anybody else.”

Texada earned an invitation to Philadelphia Eagles rookie mini-camp last season before joining the Bombers practice squad late in the year. He was again working with the starting defence on Monday and will have another chance to show what he can do Friday when the Bombers close out the pre-season at home against the B.C. Lions (7:30 p.m. kickoff).

“I can’t get complacent,” said Texada. “I gotta keep going.”

ELGERSMA ON PRE-SEASON SHOWING

It wasn’t the CFL debut Taylor Elgersma was hoping for.

The 24-year-old Canadian was under centre for two and a half quarters in Saskatoon and finished with an underwhelming stat line: 6-for-13 for 78 yards and two interceptions. He also ran four times for 18 yards.

“I felt like I was seeing it well out there, I just feel like I was pressing the gas a little bit hard,” said Elgersma.

“I wanted to make some big plays, and I think I just got to let the game come to me. That’s part of what we talked about. I don’t gotta press for big plays, they’re going to show up when they show up, and I’ll hit them when they show up, but I don’t gotta go searching for them.”

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