Dressler returns to Saskatchewan as a Bomber, leaves victorious

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This article was published 04/09/2016 (3322 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

REGINA – After each practice in the week leading up to Sunday’s Labour Day Classic game, there was rarely a moment that Weston Dressler didn’t have a microphone in his face.

Reporters wanted to know what was on the mind of the 31-year-old Bombers slotback as he got set to return to the city he still calls home, to play against a Saskatchewan Roughriders team he spent eight seasons with before signing with Winnipeg this year.

When Dressler finally took the field at Mosaic Stadium, all eyes watched to see what he would do in his first chance to burn the team that sent him packing in the off-season. Dressler had never displayed any ill will towards the Riders, claiming the whole time he only wanted to leave with a win.

He’d get his wish, as the Bombers downed the Riders 28-25 with a game-winning field goal with no time left on the clock.

“What a wild game, huh?” said Dressler, who is now a perfect 9-0 in Labour Day games. “Just the way that thing finished. So proud of our team right now and the way we battled to the end.”

Dressler finished the game with seven catches for 77 yards. But perhaps his biggest play was no catch at all, with Dressler drawing a defensive pass interference call against Riders defensive back Justin Cox in the Bombers final drive of the game. Three plays later Medlock hit his seventh field goal to seal the win.

After the game, Dressler admitted he was flooded with different emotions.

“I couldn’t even tell you,” he said. “They were all over the place. It’s just such a special place for me being here eight years; so many memories, so many great memories and it’s the last time I’ll get to play on this field so it was nice to get the win.”

Dressler was greeted to a loud applause following his first catch in the first quarter. In the stands were also hundreds of green No. 7 Dressler jerseys, a sure sign that his legacy remains a positive one in Riderville.

“Mostly pleasant things,” said Dressler, when asked if he could hear the crowd behind the Bombers bench. “I couldn’t tell if they were getting on me or cheering for me; sometimes they were just yelling my name. I took it all as positive.”

Upon leaving the stadium, Dressler was welcomed near the entrance by a sea of green supporters. For 20 minutes he signed autographs and posed for pictures with Rider fans, who will have to wait some time before they see him next.

He won’t have to wait long to see his old teammates. The Bombers are set to play the Riders again in Saturday’s Banjo Bowl at Investors Group Field.

“We got another game next week so we got to take care of that one,” said Dressler.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.catwitter: @jeffkhamilton